Customer Reviews

Zatoichi, Episode 4: The Fugitive

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

can't be beat. buy it now. the swordplay is amazing and the story is even better. every single zatoichi is a great experience to be taken in. start your collection of this series today.

I really appreciate Home Vision Entertainments production of the Zatoichi movie series. Each release has been an excellent presentation of Zatoichi. As a Japenese Samurai Movie fan I think that this series of DVD's is the best. The character of Zatoichi is very compelling and each story helps you identify with this Blind Swordsman who always trying to do good for others. The examples of Japenese culture during this time period is very beautiful and detailed. Shintaro Katsu displays a wide range of emotions as Zatoichi and his display of swordmanship is excellent.

This 4th episode of Zatoichi begins with a more comical sendup than in previous episodes. The charactor traits Shintaro Katsu would eventually define as Zatoichi have now become more ingrained in the personality of Ichi, and the following episodes will only reinforce the humorous, beloved, cane-sword weilding, blind masseur and ethical man to the audience. This episode is enjoyable, as ALL of the Ichi episodes are. The film begins with a price on Ichi's head; and an inexperienced swordsman by the name of Kisuke, tries to claim this reward. He fails of course, and as he lays dying he informs Ichi that his mother Maki, is with the yakuza.

Therefore, Ichi embarks on a trip to see the mother, and inform her what has happened. However, she does not resent Ichi, as she understands that it was in self-defense. Also, reprising her role in this episode is Tane, the woman who loved Ichi [episodes #1 and #2]. Tane is now with a samurai. [I will not tell you about her character, as it will spoil the film for those who have not viewed it] There are many characters in this particular epsiode, with many subplots going in different directions. The cinematography is excellent as usual, and Zatoichi does flash his sword in a wild ending. An enjoyable watch. [Stars: 3.5]

I'd bought the box set 1 - 4 and I've just seen this episode 4 - it's probably the best of the first 4 and it's in color! I seem to remember the previous ones being in black and white? Well, the technicolor transfer to DVD here is just dazzling. The colors are rich and full, and with the viewing of this episode 4 I've come to realize what the Zatoici pictures are - minor works of art. Each scene is a painted picture of imagery and color. And as I mentioned, this Episode 4 "The Fugitive" may be the best in the box set, and not only for it being in color but for the story as well. To tell you the truth, episode 3 "New Tale of Zatoichi" had rather put me to sleep, beautiful as it was. In episode 4, not a long episode, things move faster and there are a couple of exciting scenes which make this episode one of the more memorable. The picture ends with rather a tear and a smile. Works of art. Not a bad place to start with Zatoichi.

I will write the same comment on each one that I purchased for my parents. Although the video quality was good, through generations of copying the audio was lousy. My parents, who are fluent in Japanese, needed to read the English subtitles to understand what was being said. Check the quality before keeping the item.

One of the best in the TV series. Zatoichi shows his skill by cutting a cup in two and caught everybody by surprise. Soon, a samurai is eyeing him for battle. Watch out for the end battle.