The Tale of Zatoichi
The Tale of Zatoichi

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- 76/100 based on 5,577 votes

An impoverished blind masseur becomes a mercenary swordsman, to gain basic respect. The first of novelist Kan Shimozawa's Zatoichi series: 26 films, a TV series and a play, all but two starring controversial singer/producer/director Shintaro Katsu. First of six Zatoichi films directed by Kenji Misumi. The shrewd Zatoichi targets a yakuza-controlled village, because war with a neighboring town's smaller gang is brewing. The broke ex-masseur "Ichi" immediately wins big, by taki... (Full plot summary below)

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Actors in The Tale of Zatoichi:

Shintarō Katsu
Masayo Banri
Ryūzō Shimada
Hajime Mitamura
Shigeru Amachi
Michirō Minami

Full Plot Details

An impoverished blind masseur becomes a mercenary swordsman, to gain basic respect. The first of novelist Kan Shimozawa's Zatoichi series: 26 films, a TV series and a play, all but two starring controversial singer/producer/director Shintaro Katsu. First of six Zatoichi films directed by Kenji Misumi. The shrewd Zatoichi targets a yakuza-controlled village, because war with a neighboring town's smaller gang is brewing. The broke ex-masseur "Ichi" immediately wins big, by taking advantage of local bakuto's cheating, after they scoff at his asking to join a dice game. The larger horde, who have been given carte blanche by the local governor, summoned Zatoichi. Zatoichi hates the fact that he's become an outlaw, so he strikes up a friendship with the other gang's honorable hired samurai, who has TB.

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Movie Reviews

Reeling Reviews - 8/10 by Robin CliffordZatoichi is good but not nearly great with some very effective performances.
eFilmCritic.com - 8/10 by Brian MckayFalls somewhere between the stoic ultra-badness of Lone Wolf and Cub's Ogami Itto, and the sarcastic but good-hearted Yojimbo ... Samurai fans may rejoice
Goatdog's Movies - 7/10 by Michael W. Phillips, Jr.Watching this film, I saw elements of some of my favorite filmmakers who followed in its footsteps.
User Review - 10/10 by Khalid AFantastic movie, Shintaro Katsu is absolutely amazing. Not to mention that this movie was an inspiration to the ''blind swordsman'' genres.
User Review - 10/10 by Jeremy GThe first in possibly the greatest film serial of all time. Katsu is completely convincing as a blind masseur who also happens to be a master swordsman.
User Review - 10/10 by Private UThe first in the incredible ZATOICHI series, starring the incredible Shintaro Katsu.
User Review - 10/10 by Luke BQuite simply put, this is a perfect movie. The Tale of Zatoichi is the first in a long line of films, detailing the adventures of a blind swordsman. The film begins with Zatoichi using his cunning and his "disability" to his advantage, as he outwits some gamblers. Soon, Zatoichi is hired as a "weapon" for a gang that wishes to wage war on another gang. This other gang also have their own samurai, whom is dealing with his own affliction. The film removes the focus from an all out war and delves into the relationship between the two swordsmen. Both respect each other and have allegiances to their honour and themselves, rather than those that have hired them. The respect they show is very moving, as they bond over fishing nd drinks, and the film eventually culminates in one of the finest climaxes of all time. The fight is not ruined by quick cuts or melodramatic music. Nor is it over-the-top or unbelievable. It still manages to be both gripping, exciting and beautifully moving, proving that you don't need cheap parlor tricks to manipulate an audience. The performances are wonderful and the pacing divine. It literally whips by. It gives you a chance to breath and offers up a bit of a love story, but instead of relying on such a predictable crutch, the character of Zatoichi brushes it aside and the film retains focus on the true story at heart.
User Review - 10/10 by Davey Mthis my uncle favorty action hero i when i was all care about his sword fight skill. know watch gain show more deeper story line and honbilty of the old samuria code well forgoten by the new Gun fu action . so meny genration gap mostly good story line must see Pg 13 must pls some make new vertion of this moive keep it old school
User Review - 10/10 by David SThoughtfully paced, and ultimately very suspenseful tale of yakuza, a ronin hired for an impending conflict, and the blind swordsman who is caught in the middle of the melodrama. Shintaro Katsu is magnificent in the title role, a character he would play in 26 movies and a 4 year television run. If aliens landed and asked to see one film about samurai, you'd show them this (or Seven Samurai).
User Review - 10/10 by Hiroko TThe first of 26 movies and 100 TV episodes spanning 3 decades. Katso-san portrays a blind, gambling masseur who is secretly a highly skilled swordsman with a heightened sensitivity towards justice, among other things. Set in the mid-1800's when Tokyo was known as Edo, he wanders into a town, stumbles into a situation (whether it's trouble for him or others), and ends up taking on the local system and killing lots of baddies. Ichi though, usually regrets killing even if they deserve it at the time. Life is sacred to him though he isn't religious. The basic premise was similar to the spaghetti westerns of Sergio Leone that were filmed in the late 1960's. The difference was that each Zatoichi film would turn out to be as much a morality statement as an action flick. The comedy bits are funny and add to the telling of the tale. This is a great film even if you aren't a fan of sub-titles.., Zatoichi let's his cane-sword do much of his talking! -If possible, get the Criterion Collection's 25 film set complete with documentary & booklet.

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