Product Details

• Actors: Shintarô Katsu, Masayo Banri, Ryuzo Shimada, Hajime Mitamura, Shigeru Amachi
• Directors: Kenji Misumi
• Writers: Kan Shimosawa, Minoru Inuzuka
• Producers: Ikuo Kubodera
• Format: Black & White, Dubbed, DVD, Letterboxed, 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
• Rating: Unrated
• Studio: Home Vision Entertainment
• DVD Release Date: May 14, 2002
• Run Time: 95 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000063UQU
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #36,346 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #17 in	Movies & TV > Art House & International > Asian Cinema > Japan > Samurai Films
  #48 in	Movies & TV > Classics > International > Japan
  #75 in	Movies & TV > Art House & International > Asian Cinema > Japan > Action & Adventure

• For more information about "Zatoichi the Blind Swordsman, Vol. 1 - The Tale of Zatoichi" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

• This is item 1 in The Zatoichi Series.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Zatoichi, the wandering masseur and master swordsman, is a mercenary hero with a difference: he's blind, and no less deadly for it. In his debut, Ichi shuffles into a gangster-run town like a wry con man, fleecing the dim-bulb gambling thugs and sponging off a local mob boss who wants the deadly Ichi on his side in an impending gang war. Released the same year Akira Kurosawa unleashed Yojimbo, stocky Shintaro Katsu's modest and soft-spoken Ichi couldn't be more different from the dynamic Toshiro Mifune's swaggering and arrogant Yojimbo. Director Kenji Misume can't match Kurosawa's searing cynicism or dynamic action, but when Ichi finally lets loose after avoiding conflict for the entire film, his spare, sudden attack makes a startling contrast to the usual flashing swords and furious movements. Zatoichi returned in 25 sequels and a long-running TV series, always played by Shintaro Katsu.

The newly restored DVD features a small stills gallery, a fold-out insert with an essay by Tatsu Aoki (a self described "Ichi Freak"), and four collector cards. --Sean Axmaker

From The New Yorker

The television personality, movie star, director, and best-selling author Takeshi (Beat) Kitano reincarnates the character of Zatoichi, a beloved figure in Japanese pop culture. Sightless, Zatoichi wanders the countryside seeking work as a humble masseur, cutting down evildoers when they cross his path. The movie is not without its crude pleasures, such as watching the near-comatose Zatoichi suddenly step into action, becoming a human Cuisinart. There is also a trippy strangeness to the whole production: gags when you least expect them, an exuberant dance number at the end, some wild synthesizer music. But Kitano, with his slapped-together filmmaking, is relying heavily on the built-in affection for his hero. In Japanese. -Michael Agger
Copyright © 2006 The New Yorker

See all Editorial Reviews

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

61 of 63 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars FINALLY ON DVD, May 30, 2002

By	Robin Simmons (Palm Springs area, CA United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Criterion in association with Janus Films has exquisitely remastered the first two of 26 sequels in the life and adventures of Japan's most popular and enduring cinematic hero, Zatoichi, the blind swordsman. A common man with an extraordinary skill and an even greater moral imperative.

"THE TALE OF ZATOICHI" introduces the legendary character and its star, Shintaro Katsu. This film from 1962 also introduced a new era of samurai film. Zatoichi, a lowly blind masseur who practices in a small province gets caught in a turf war between rival yakuza gangs. Yakuza honcho Sukejuro, aware of Zatoichi's reputation with his deadly cane sword, tries to hire him -- unsuccessfully -- as a mercenary. Unfortunately, Shigezo, the other gang leader, has already hired a fierce warrior with an equally intimidating skill to challenge Zatoichi. Thus, the legend begins. The finely honed story is greatly enhanced by the stunningly choreographed action. The black and white widescreen picture looks great and the English subtitles are easy to read. Bonus material includes a gallery of original theatrical stills.

36 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Zatoichi, My Hero, January 30, 2005

By	Irene Hamilton - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I enjoy watching all of these films, especially this one. I appreciate the lack of blood and gore, and the mere two swordswipes the hero uses to take out about four bad guys at once. I'm sure many of us long for a protector like this to vanquish evil in the world. Great acting and directing, with nice humourous elements woven into the tale. I also like that the words are not dubbed over with English. I think subtitles are the best way to go with these films to maintain the intentions and artistry of the filmmakers.

42 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely Beautiful, January 2, 2005

By	M. Briscoe (Methuen, MA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

In today's age, there are so many martial arts movies that glorify the killing, and little of the rest of the package that makes up a martial artist. In my opinion, this film surpassed all my expectations. The emotional depth of this film went far beyond the uninvolving MA films of later generations. I truly enjoyed the sub plots of the movie - especially the friendship that developed between Zatoichi and the man that was supposed to be his enemy, Master Hirata.

I recommend this highly to any person who wants to expand their martial arts library.