Zatoichi the Blind Swordsman, Vol. 1 - The Tale of Zatoichi
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Features
• Black & White
• Dubbed
• DVD-Video
• Letterboxed
• Widescreen
• NTSC
In Theaters : 1962
DVD Release : 14 May, 2002 |
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Zatoichi the Blind Swordsman, Vol. 1 - The Tale of Zatoichi description
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 |
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Zatoichi the Blind Swordsman, Vol. 1 - The Tale of Zatoichi Customer Reviews
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♥♥♥♥♥ |
#1: THE BEGINNING OF A LONG AND WONDERFUL ODYSSEY
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The Zatoichi saga, covering the years 1962-1989, are truly remarkable in the history of cinema. There are no bad episodes. Some are average, above averge, good, very good, and great. But each episode is a wonderful excursion into the character played by the late Shintaro Katsu. I liked them as a young boy, viewing them with my best friend in theatres in Los Angeles, and I like them now. If not more. This is truly one of the greatest series not only in Japanese cinema, but cinema anywhere.
This first film of Zatoichi, starring the late Shintaro Katsu must not be judged by the standards of today's technological advancements. If anything, the stories are much better than the glutted CGI enhanced movies that claim to be films. THESE ARE FILMS. Truly outstanding films. If you are new to the series, give them a chance. I am sure you will find some that will appeal to you.
This first episode of Zatoichi is more drama-based than the ensuing films we be. But it is the nature of the character Ichi, in this episode, that will set the tone for the other episodes: Honor, integrity, believer in the Bushido code, and defender of the oppressed. And as the beginning episode shows, there is a humorous and humble manner in which Ichi carries himself. Never the braggart, always willing to assist--and lethal with his cane-sword.
In this episode, when Ichi is hired by a gang leader to fight a sick samurai: One in which Ichi has come to like. Ichi would rather drink and break food with this samurai; but events lead to another path. A path that would lead to confrontation. And the destiny of Zatoichi will take him on a long journey, frought with peril and villianous characters. I highly recommend this first episode of Zatoichi, and hope you will give the others a look. They truly are remarkable.
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Zatoichi the Blind Swordsman, Vol. 1 - The Tale of Zatoichi dvd movie.