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Zatoichi
2003
Takeshi Kitano, best known for such gangster films as VIOLENT COP, BOILING POINT, and BROTHER, makes his first period drama with ZATOICHI, an updating of the classic Japanese character portrayed by Shintaro Katsu in movies and television from 1962 to 1989. Zatoichi is a blind samurai who shuffles from town to town, righting .. Read more
| Starring | 'Beat' Takeshi Kitano, Tadanobu Asano |
|---|---|
| Director | 'Beat' Takeshi Kitano |
| Genres | Action/Adventure, World Cinema |
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Zatoichi
Takeshi Kitano, best known for such gangster films as VIOLENT COP, BOILING POINT, and BROTHER, makes his first period drama with ZATOICHI, an updating of the classic Japanese character portrayed by Shintaro Katsu in movies and television from 1962 to 1989. Zatoichi is a blind samurai who shuffles from town to town, righting wrongs with his remarkable sword hidden within his cane. He is also a masseuse who likes to gamble. Kitano serves as director, writer, co-editor, and star of the film, playing the protagonist under his acting name, Beat Takeshi. This version of Zatoichi, based on the stories of Kan Shimozawa, is more violent than the earlier series, as Kitano strives to make it more realistic. He has also infused a clever sense of humour, while cinematographer Katsumi Yanagishima adds beautiful depth of field to many scenes.
When Zatoichi arrives in a small town, he unknowingly walks into a classic tale of revenge, as two women plot to kill the men who murdered their family. As Zatoichi becomes more involved, an eventual showdown with young samurai Hattori (Tadanobu Asano, who excelled in Takashi Miike's very violent ICHI THE KILLER) is inevitable. ZATOICHI is thrilling filmmaking at its best, an endlessly entertaining samurai epic from a man who fully understands the genre and is not afraid to take it to the next level.
| Starring | 'Beat' Takeshi Kitano, Tadanobu Asano |
|---|---|
| Director | 'Beat' Takeshi Kitano |
| Studio | ARTIFICIAL EYE |
| Run time | DVD: 1 hr 51 mins Blu-ray: 1 hr 55 mins Watch now: 1 hr 51 mins |
| Certificate | DVD: , Watch Online: |
| Genres | Action/Adventure, World Cinema |
| Language | DVD: Japanese Blu-ray: Japanese |
| Subtitles | DVD: English Blu-ray: English |
| Released | DVD: 26 Jul 2004 Blu-ray: 27 Oct 2008 Watch now: 30 Oct 2009 Production year: 2003 |
| Watch now | Subscribe and watch this as part of an unlimited package. |
| Format | DVD |
Zatoichi (2003)
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Critics' reviews (6)
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Shintaro Katsu may have starred as Zatoichi the blind swordsman in 26 B-movie adventures during the 1960s and 70s, but none of those can match the cinematic panache of this thrilling variation on the traditional themes of duty, honour and championing the cause of the oppressed. Director Takeshi Kitano also takes on the iconic role of the itinerant masseur/swordsman, but his inevitable showdown with the warring clans terrorising the residents of a small town in 19th-century Japan isn't simply a homage to a cult hero. It's a glorious visual scrapbook referencing the greats of Japanese film-making who have influenced Kitano's unique blend of pitiless violence, slapstick comedy and sensitive social detail. Superbly shot and scored, this is both riotous entertainment — witness the tapdancing finale — and exquisite art.
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Feudal Japan in the 19th century is a time of cruel injustice, corrupt clan-leaders and violent oppression. To a... read more on Time Out
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Most helpful member's review
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40 out of 44 people found this review helpful
Utterly Brilliant!
Kitano does it again, this time as Zatoichi. This film is a definate must see. Superb fight sequences, an interesting storyline and characters and with a funny, wacky ending.
More feel-good than his previous film 'Dolls'.
I really can't say anything else, I just thought it was a true 5 star film in the cinema, at the end I came out having throughly enjoyed myself and on a real high that only the best films can achieve. -
Most recent members' review
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2 out of 2 people found this review helpful
A classic of its genre
This film will not be for everybody but for those who enjoy martial arts/ samurai in the style of akiro kurosawa then this manages to combine an interweaving storyline, great cimetography and superb fighting scenes. The humour and sensitive approach to elements of the story line add a counterbalance to the action which is all the more effective. It is fairly gruesome at times but whilst films like Kill Bill make one uneasy to watch it seems strangely appropriate to the period that it portrays. its a testament to its success that the final scene, whilst totally incongruous to the rest of the film seems totally appropriate and enjoyable. I really enjoyed it and well worth watching.
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