Product Details

• Actors: Shintarô Katsu, Tatsuo Endô, Takashi Etajima, Ryûtarô Gomi, Bokuzen Hidari
• Directors: Kazuo Ikehiro
• Writers: Kan Shimosawa, Minoru Inuzuka, Shozaburo Asai
• Producers: Masaichi Nagata
• Format: Anamorphic, Color, DVD, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
• Language: Japanese (Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono)
• Subtitles: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: Unrated
• Studio: Home Vision Entertainment
• DVD Release Date: April 29, 2003
• Run Time: 90 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B00008K76Q
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #154,763 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• For more information about "Zatoichi the Blind Swordsman, Vol. 7 - Zatoichi's Flashing Sword" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

As the fireworks explode overhead, the blood runs under foot. Zatoichi is provoked into a fury of sword slinging by a disreputable gang leader trying to oust a rival, good-natured boss. A houseguest of the peaceful Bunkichi boss, Ichi attempts to help his gracious host fight the greedy boss Yasugoro, but as a fugitive, Ichi’s honorable host must ask the blind swordsman to leave. With Ichi temporarily out of the way, Yasugoro makes his bloody move. But being a man of fairness and equality, Zatoichi makes sure Yasugoro gets what he deserves in the end.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

59 of 59 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The most beloved Samurai of all, February 8, 2005

By 

Indyrod (Indianapolis, IN USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Zatoichi the Blind Swordsman, Vol. 7 - Zatoichi's Flashing Sword (DVD)

This is number seven in the series, and again, absolutely totally entertaining in every facet of filmmaking. Master Ichi pays a visit to a gang boss to thank his daughter for saving his life, and of course gets caught up in one of his more entertaining plots. This boss is pretty much a good boss, and is planning a fireworks show for the people in his area. Another boss, the bad boss, wants to gain control of the concessions at a local river crossing. Now this is a pretty silly plot to say the least, but everything is played out as if this was a good enough reason for a total gang war. There is the usual humor with Master Ichi, that makes his character one of the most beloved in Japanese film history. Many many memorable scenes in this episode, but right at the beginning Ichi is being bothered by a fly as he tries to sleep. He takes out his sword, listens very intensely, and lightening fast raises his sword and slices the fly in two. Precious, to say the least.

33 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Blind Swordsman = Incredible viewing, March 19, 2003

By 

[e-mail] (Baltimore, Maryland US) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Zatoichi the Blind Swordsman, Vol. 7 - Zatoichi's Flashing Sword (DVD)

This is one of my favorite Zatoichi films. The best thing about Zatoichi (Shintaro Katsu) is that he can play a role with such sincerity and emotional involvement that he can pull you in to any one of his roles. He has had quite an acting career in Japan, this being his 7th Zatoichi full length feature. I think this is where the movies started going in a different direction. All of the movies are great. But this one in particular starts to show the true cinematography and action that really defined these movies and Katsu as truly ahead of there time.
The funny thing about these movies are,you don't even need to like martial art movies to like Zatoichi. ALL of the movies have an intricate plot and story line. Very impressive!
I'm extremely excited that they finally came out with good transfers to DVD of the Zatoichi movies. Very good Quality and a very good movie.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars #7: ANOTHER GREAT ZATOICHI FILM, September 3, 2006

By 

Ernest Jagger (Culver City, California) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Zatoichi the Blind Swordsman, Vol. 7 - Zatoichi's Flashing Sword (DVD)

This 7th episode of Zatoichi, starring Shintaro Katsu, is another gem in the long running series. In the opening scene a shot rings out. Ichi has been shot by an assassin. Not to worry, there are plenty of episodes ahead. He's shot, but it's just a flesh wound. Apparantly not even bullets can stop Zatoichi: Just bad marksmen!

With the summer festival fast approaching, rights to the waterway become a problem when unscrupulous officials, and corrupt yakuza bosses play sides against one another. That is where our protagonist Zatoichi enters the fray. There are some great fight scenes involving Ichi and the "gangsters" he's up against. One in particular involves a showdown in the river-bed. A hilarious scene of disappearing samurai.

And then there is the stuttering yakuza boss Yasugoro. Ichi gives him one hell of a time. And then there's Bekinichi' son Seirecko, the antagonist who shot Ichi in the opening film. ALL these character make for another delightful and entertaining Zatoichi-fest. This episode brings with it beautiful cinematography, and wonderful scenes of the Japanese countryside. This 7th entry of Zatoichi is truly rich in magnificant colors. Highly recommended. [Stars: 5+]