Zatoichi embodies the kinds of contradictory elements that make takeshi kitano japans most intriguing contemporary actordirector. As this iconic figure, the charismatic and earthy shintaro katsu became an instant superstar, lending a largerthanlife presence to the thrilling adventures of a man who. Italy 2 september 2003 venice film festival canada 6 september 2003 toronto international film festival japan 6 september 2003. Jul 31, 2004 the blind swordsman resurrects japans most famous samurai, the legendary zatoichi. However, behind this humble facade, he is a master sw. Promising to make a delivery for a dying man, the blind swordsman zatoichi comes across the usual crime gangs but also meets a blind monk who brings into question his use of violence. Zatoichi you are looking for exciting, humorous and atmospheric movies about with samurai, martial arts, one man army, violence, gang, good versus evil and gang war themes of action, comedy and crime genre shot in japan. The tale of zatoichi continues is the second entry in the popular, longrunning zatoichi series.
Those who try to cheat him find themselves at the wrong end of the. Zatoichi is a 2003 japanese samurai dramaaction film, directed, written, coedited by and starring takeshi kitano beat takeshi in his 11th directorial venture. Zatoichi embodies the kinds of contradictory elements that make takeshi kitano japans most intriguing contemporary. The adventures of a blind, gambling masseur who also happens to be a master swordsman. He has a code, but enforces it according to his own rules.
Zatoichi, zatoichi is a fictional character featured in one of japans longestrunning series of films, as well as a television series. It was originally released by the daiei motion picture company. Later in the episode, huey shows his grandfather footage of the animated zatoichi in action, comparing stinkmeaner to the blind swordsman. Zatoichis vengeance is the thirteenth episode in the 26part film series. With shintaro katsu, kanbi fujiyama, eiko taki, masako akeboshi. Introduced in the early 1960s, zatoichi is now an archetypal character in japanese film, inspiring dozens of films and numerous television shows. Zatoichi s trek through 88 temples to atone for his violent past is interrupted as he stumbles into a village terrorized by a violent yakuza boss. It was the 23rd film in the zatoichi film series and the first distributed by toho, while all others were distributed by daiei. Masseur ichi enters again, the blind swordsman s return is the third film in the series. Zatoichi challenged, zatoichi chikemurikaido is a 1967 japanese chambara film directed by kenji misumi and starring shintaro katsu as the blind masseur zatoichi. It was originally released by the daiei motion picture company later acquired by kadokawa pictures.
Zatoichis vengeance 1966 promising to make a delivery for a dying man, the blind swordsman zatoichi comes across the usual crime gangs but also meets a blind monk who brings into question his use of violence. Zatoichi the blind swordsman dvd collectors edition box collectors edition box set shintaro katsu actor rated. A list of the zatoichi films in chronological order. The character, a blind masseur and blademaster, was created by novelist kan shimozawa. A final, sort of anniversary, revisionist zatoichi film was made in 1989. Movie trailer for takeshi kitanos adaptation of zatoichi skip navigation sign in. Add to that a successful television series, and, obviously, with that many hours of entertainment devoted to one character, what was created was nothing less than a. The blind masseur swordsman comes to a town in control of warring gangs, and while bunking with a farming family, he meets two women with their own agenda. Zatoichi, zatoichi released in the us as the blind swordsman. Since so many older films were being remade in the 2000s it was only natural that someone would do zatoichi. But for a matinee idol, he receives a decidedly modest introduction. This is the th feature in the popular film series about the blind, swordslashing masseur zatoichi. Before kitanos movie there were 26 more and a tv series consisting of more than 100 episodes which lasted for four years. Blind swordsmans canesword is the fifteenth film in the series.
Zatoichis revenge is the tenth episode in the 26part film series devoted to the character of zatoichi. With takeshi kitano, tadanobu asano, yui natsukawa, michiyo yasuda. Most ignore him, but he becomes a window into the souls of the ones who do pay him attention. A list of 26 films compiled on letterboxd, including the tale of zatoichi 1962, the tale of zatoichi continues 1962, new tale of zatoichi 1963, zatoichi the fugitive 1963 and zatoichi on the road 1963. Zatoichi the outlaw 1967, zatoichi meets yojimbo 1970, zatoichi at the fire festival 1970, as zatoichi. Zatochi is about a blind swordsman who comes to a town in control of warring gangs, and meets two women one that looks like a woman but is man with their own agenda. Set in the age of rouge samurai, shintaro katsu stars as ichi, a blind masseur, gambler, gangster, lady charmer, deadly swordsman, and all around kindhearted scoundrel. The blind masseurswordsman comes to a town in control of warring gangs, and while bunking with a farming family, he meets two women with their own agenda. With shintaro katsu, norihei miki, mikiko tsubouchi, takeshi kato.
With shintaro katsu, michiyo yasuda, kunie tanaka, hisashi igawa. One of the most popular heroes in japanese cinema, zatoichi the blind swordsman inspired 26 feature films, more than 100 tv episodes, and countless comics and collectibles. Zatoichi is on netflix, and get news and updates, on decider. Jul 09, 2016 zatoichi the blind swordsman mzn media group. Between 1962 and 1974 there were 25 zatoichi films made. Before kitanos movie there were 26 more and a tv series consisting of. The film is a revival of the classic zatoichi series of samurai film and television dramas. The character zatoichi became globally known to the public through takeshi kitanos 2003 movie, the blind swordsman. The colossally popular zatoichi films make up the longestrunning action series in japanese history and created one of the screens great heroes. Step aside, kill bill, the real bodycount movie of the year is about to begin. Both are set during the late edo period 1830s and 1840s. The first film was remade by the actordirector takeshi kitano in 2004.
Shintaro katsu and isao yamagata in zatoichis pilgrimage 1966 shintaro katsu. The real surprise is beat taking on the role of zatoichi the blind masseur with a sword hidden in his walking stick is an iconic figure in japanese film and tv, as played by shintaro katsu. With shintaro katsu, masayo banri, ryuzo shimada, hajime mitamura. Ichi is a blind masseuse ambling from town to town until some injustice or threat cause him to reveal his. Kozure okami lone wolf and cub 1974,season 2, hdep 15. Zatoichis cane sword, zatoichi tekkatabi is a 1967 japanese chambara film directed by kimiyoshi yasuda and starring shintaro katsu as the blind masseur zatoichi.
Blind swordsmans vengeance is the thirteenth film in the series. By all appearances one of lifes true unfortunates, the blind masseur zatoichi wanders through samuraiera japan led only by the tapping of his cane and a need to find the nearest dice game. Ichi 2008, the tale of zatoichi 1962, the bodyguard 1961, sonatine 1993, lady snowblood 1973. Zatoichi is a 19th century blind nomad who makes his living as a gambler and masseur. Blind swordsman s canesword is the fifteenth film in the series.
They release takeshi kitanos blind swordsman epic, zatoichi, this summer uncut and subtitled. Zatoichi, zatoichi is a fictional character featured in one of japan s longestrunning series of films and a television series that are both set during the late edo period 1830s and 1840s. Katsu taking care of business in zatoichis vengeance 1966. Zatoichi takeshi kitano, about zatoichi the blind swordsman. Steven seagal fight scenes 19881995 above the law the glimmer man duration. He plays, as usual, a man with an impassive face, few words, and sudden bursts of action that end in a few seconds. Zatoichi at large, zatoichi goyotabi is a 1972 japanese film directed by kazuo mori. The character, a blind masseur and blademaster, was created by novelist kan shimozawa this originally minor character was developed for the screen by daiei film now kadokawa daiei studio. Once again, ichi happens upon a dying person, this time a man felled by bandits, who with his dying breath hands over a bag of money and mutters the name, taichi.
The blind swordsman resurrects japans most famous samurai, the legendary zatoichi. Surprisingly, i found out there were twentyfive more zatoichi films, all starring. After hes ambushed in a small village terrorized by a gang of thieves, the legendary blind swordsman zatoichi shintaro katsu is forced to kill a young man in. His recent film was zatoichi, the blind swordsman 2003, a remake, a homage, and a wry take on one of the most popular series of films from japan in the 1960s and 1970s. Katsu shintaro, 29 november 1931 21 june 1997 was a japanese actor, singer, producer, and director. After zatoichi learns of his senseis murder he uncovers a horrible conspiracy involving the local government and crime family. Mar 03, 2012 just a good old fashion swordsman movie. Bandits with a score to settle trick him and remove his cane sword, but ichi is far from defenseless and quickly spills first blood sending the thugs running for their lives. He is known for starring in the akumyo series, the hoodlum soldier series, and the zatoichi series.
Zatoichis vengeance is a 1966 japanese chambara film directed by tokuzo tanaka and starring shintaro katsu as the blind masseur zatoichi. Zatoichi the 2003 movie, trailers, videos and more at yidio. Promising to make a delivery for a dying man, the blind swordsman zatoichi. Zatoichi was one of the classic period piece franchises in 1960s70s japanese cinema with over 20 releases and a tv series. Zatoichis moment of serenity is interrupted by a band of thugs. Primarily for my own reference as i make my way through the films but may be useful to others also taking the. Zatoichi and the chess expert season 1, episode 12 122365 zatichi befriends a chessloving wandering samurai and helps a young girl accidentally wounded in a sword fight. The blind swordsman, a box set from the criterion collection, assembles the 25 films starring shintaro katsu as a samurai.
Mar 28, 2007 movie trailer for takeshi kitanos adaptation of zatoichi skip navigation sign in. Zatoichi the blind swordsman was such a hit in japan with 26 movies from 196272 and one more in 1989 that it was eventually turned into a tv series. Kitano is known here in the states primarily for his dark yakuza pictures violent cop, sonatine, fireworks, brother, but he is also a comedian as beat takeshi, which is the name he performs under. Zatoichi by director takeshi kitano featuring himself in the classic role. The enemy below here is one of the best war movies ever, a chess game of cat and fish not mouse duration. Set in the age of rouge samurai, shintaro katsu stars as ichi, a blind masseur, gambler, a gangster, lady charmer, and deadly swordsman. Zatoichi 911 movie clip zatoichi kills everyone 2003. Seeing kitanos film, i was only aware of one other zatoichi film, not the series.
As we are about to see though, that was just the tip of the iceberg. Miramax is distributing the movie in the united states. Oct 09, 2012 the blind masseur and former samurai zatoichi takeshi kitano is drifting and arrives in a small village dominated by three tyrannical lords, inosuke ginzo ittoku kishibe, tashichi ogi saburo. Not long after this, japanese director takeshi kitano created his own updated version of the series, the blind swordsman. The sword of doom, kihachi okamoto, 1966 ambush youtube. Zatoichi in us theaters july 23, 2004 starring takeshi kitano, michiyo ogusu, taka gatarukanaru, yuko daike.
With shintaro katsu, shigeru amachi, jun hamamura, mayumi ogawa. Ichi beat takeshi, the blind, platinum haired masseur and master swordsman, has stopped to rest on the side of the road. The role earned her a 2004 award of the japanese academy nomination for. Shintaro katsu who played zatoichi produced the show through his katsu productions. This originally minor character was developed for the.
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