WILLIAM FLANIGAN THE TALE OF ZATOICHI / THE LIFE AND OPINIONS OF MASSEUR ICHI / ZATÔICHI 1 (ZATÔICHI MONOGATARI). Viewed on Streaming. Restoration/ preservation = nine (9) stars; cinematography = seven (7) stars; set design = six (6) stars; choreography = two (2) stars. Think you've seen every flavor of Japanese movie sword swinger? How about a self-taught amateur who is also blind? And very deadly! Director Kenji Misumi deploys Tokugawa Period Yakuza-gang warfare as a backdrop for a fascinating personality analysis of a masseur turned wandering master of swordplay whose sightless handicap is more of an advantage than a disability. (Perhaps with the help of a little magic?) Misumi's photo-play provides more talk than action and seems to have been adapted from a stage play (or the script writers learned their craft in the live theater?). Interestingly, ancient Yakuza gangs closely resemble those depicted in contemporary films (instead of not being able to shoot straight, they are unable to slash straight and rely on hired swords (usually unemployed samurai)! Acting is consistently good despite terrible choreography. Characters often only have to waive their wooden swords at stunt actors to get them to fall over (the dialog tries to cover this obvious short coming by repeating lines that say sword play is too fast to be seen!). Sound-stage "exteriors" look and sound phony. Cinematography (2.35 : 1, black & white) is mostly well done especially the interior dolly shots. Not so much for panning which serves mainly to induce horizontal vertigo in the viewer wide-screen formats and rapid pans don't play well together!). Subtitles are close enough for Kansei-Ben deliveries. Restoration/preservation is good. Adult make-believe fun. WILLIAM FLANIGAN, PhD.

elvircorhodzic THE TALE OF ZATOICHI is an action drama, which shows, in a striking way, an inner struggle of a blind man. The blind masseur Zatoichi is hired by a yakuza gang-leader, because of the inevitable war with a neighboring gang. Zatoichi has a distinguished reputation as a swordsman. Their rival responds by hiring a ronin of similar repute. Zatoichi is a humble and honest man. These characteristics are not welcome in the criminal circles of society. However, a ronin, who is hired by the opposing gang, has similar characteristics. Though he and Zatoichi know they must fight when the war begins, they develop a kind of friendship...This film has a similar theme as "Sanjuro" and "Yojimbo", but its creation and characterization are different. This is a samurai story, in which the main protagonist is not a samurai. This change has brought a melodramatic refreshment.Shintaro Katsu as Zatoichi is a surreal and peaceful character. The man, who is trying to find his inner peace and meaning is in a contrast to his surrounding. His blindness is actually an advantage, based on which he will show his skills. He changes his mood, when a melodramatic story gets its brutal and bloody endgame. He becomes a lone wolf who does not want to socialize with ordinary dogs.Shigeru Amachi as Miki Hirate is a good support as a drunk and sick ronin. His life is hanging between his honor and a sword of his rival. Masayo Banri as Otane is a beautiful girl who fell in love with the character of a blind man. A melancholic end, in which the blind swordsman runs away from his species is very touching.

WakenPayne I decided to sit down and watch this because I found out about Zatoichi meets Yojimbo (1970) and I decided to pick that up but I wanted to watch a Zatoichi movie before I watch Zatoichi Meets Yojimbo and I did and for a period piece/samurai epic - I'd recommend it if you are a fan of the genre.Okay so the story as a war between gangs is brewing a blind man who practiced and perfected the art of sword-fighting is asked (actually, more along the lines of forced) to stay at one of the gang's hideout so he can freeload and be their secret weapon in the war. While the other gang is doing the same thing with another master swordsman. While Zatoichi is fishing he has a conversation with the other swordsman and they become good friends. Zatoichi then guesses correctly that the other swordsman is sick and dying of consumption. As the war brews will the 2 leading characters be forced to kill each other?If there is any scene in which I didn't like it enough for me to point out it's actually the very first scene of the movie. Zatoichi begins to gamble in a dice game and the dice aren't covered by the cup only to be revealed that he was playing them all along and has 2 identical dice literally up his sleeve. The reason why I didn't like that scene is that it kind of contradicts Zatoichi's character. Although he is a gangster he does have a good moral code and in the end, he will try to do what is right but would you ever guess that he was the good guy by the scene that I described?In terms of what I liked, The relationship between the two samurai for one thing. It does get across pretty well this relationship as well as the rather conflicting feelings they have at the thought of them having to go up against one another. It does offer some good drama (and to their credit the actors do very good jobs). The sword-fight choreography is on par with a Kurosawa movie and even though I didn't like the opening scene I do like Zatoichi's character.Aside from that all I have left to say is that if you liked Kurosawa's samurai movies then this is worth checking out. I mean while this movie is NOTHING in comparison with the aforementioned movies I will most certainly say if you like those then there is a pretty good chance you'll like this.

papamalo This movie, in my opinion was among some of the first movies in popular western culture to provide fodder for westerns, and action films, which shamelessly stole from traditional Japanese themes and stories. It's touching, deep, and yet whimsical. it has a gravity of it's own.NOTE: if ANYONE can tell me where I can the find the sound track to this film done by Akira Ifukube, I would be really grateful. especially the music that comes in at exactly 20:00 of the film. it is one of the greatest passages of movie music I have ever heard, as Ichi describes his lost love. does anyone know what the piece itself is called?thanks!