Daigoro Tachibana, Gadarukanaru Taka, Michiyo Ookusu

Zatoichi is a 19th century blind nomad who makes his living as a gambler and masseur. However, behind this humble facade, he is a master swordsman gifted with a lightning-fast draw and breathtaking pr...( read more  read more... )ecision. While wandering, Zatoichi discovers a remote mountain village at the mercy of Ginzo, a ruthless gang-leader. Ginzo disposes of anyone who gets in his way, especially after hiring the mighty samurai ronin, Hattori, as a bodyguard. After a raucous night of gambling in town, Zatoichi encounters a pair of geishas--as dangerous as they are beautiful--who've come to avenge their parents' murder. As the paths of these and other colorful characters intertwine, Ginzo's henchmen are soon after Zatoichi. With his legendary cane sword at his side, the stage is set for a riveting showdown.

Flixster Users

87% liked it

32,855 ratings

Critics

87% liked it

109 critics

R, 1 hr. 55 min.

Directed by: Takeshi Kitano

Release Date: September 6, 2003

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DVD Release Date: November 9, 2004

Stats: 1,715 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (1,715)


  • October 12, 2009
    "Even with my eyes wide open I can't see a thing."

    The blind masseur/swordsman comes to an town in control of warring gangs, and while bunking with a farming family, he meets two women with their own agenda.

    REVIEW
    ...( read more)>
    Kitano's remake of the classic multi-part samurai tale keeps with the spirit of the old pictures, but adds a feeling only 'Beat' Kitano could add. Zatoichi again finds himself in a heap of trouble not his own when he takes shelter in a village controlled by violent gangs. At first half-heartedly avoiding the conflict, he is soon drawn in when he meets up with some colorful characters with vengeance in mind.

    Kitano has never been shy about bringing on the bloodshed and this samurai swash-buckler is no different. Limbs get sliced off, skin gets split open, geysers of red spurt left and right, but he treats the violence with a near comic over-representation; it's simply too exaggerated to be taken seriously. He has also chosen to incorporate his off-beat sense of humor which makes for an interesting union with the traditionally serious trappings of a samurai piece. On the technical side he is at the top of his game. Color, lighting and sound are all excellent. The only real down side to the film is the actual plot; while the writing is good, the story is all to familiar and cliché.

    Recommended to any one who wants to watch a good, fun movie, but especially to samurai film fans as this is the best one of it's kind to come out in a number of years.
  • September 19, 2009
    This is what opened my eyes to Zatoichi 6 years ago. Back then I saw it as a Kitano fan, and it was an absolutely beautiful piece. Now I watch it after the original 26 movies, and it's even more striking. Kitano has done an excellent job of fusing his own style and calm with what...( read more) makes a Zatoichi film great. Kitano is obviously not trying to fill Katsu's shoes, he shows this instantly with Zatoichi's bleached hair. This has some truly memorable shots, and great supporting characters. It has the humour and the violence and enough badarsery to keep you glued. Underneath it all is Kitano's wonderful subtle way of dealing with emotions. With the two geisha "sisters", we have a dance scene where it is the one playing the music that is overwhelmed with sadness at what her brother has endured over the last ten years. The music and cinematography are sublime in every way. The music talking on an original slant, often creating the illusion that it is coming from the actions on-screen. This is a great stand alone film, a beautiful Kitano film, and a fantastic companion to Katsu's legacy.
  • September 4, 2009
    Takeshi Kitano's take on the classic Japanese story of Zatoichi, The Blind Swordsman. A risky move seeing as the series has a massive loyal following around the globe. Luckily the risk paid off as it was an international success and fans of the franchise embarrassed it. Shintarô ...( read more)Katsu will always be Zatoichi but he can rest in peace in the knowledge that the character remains unspoilt and still kicking ass! The end sequence is fantastic!
  • May 19, 2008
    i mostly enjoyed it but what was up with the hoedown at the end? tres bizarre
  • February 21, 2008
    Kitano's take on the popular japanese character of Zatoichi is both fun and interesting. Kitano manages to add his unique ambigous touch to the character while preserving it's roots. I did missed Joe Hisaishi's music on this one, even that the soundtrack is not bad. The CGI blood...( read more) ocasionally breaks the atmosphere, but eventually becomes part of the film.

    Some purists of the original flicks might have not liked this one, this wasn't suppose to be an exact copy of the originals. Kitano and Katsu-shin are two very different performers. So take this as what it is, a different take on a well known character.
  • November 4, 2009
    To be updated - I enjoyed it.
  • October 17, 2009
    Sharp & fascinating, a true masterpiece of a master
  • October 8, 2009
    Film perfetion. Highly entertaining. Great performances. Superb reinvention of an iconic hero. Takeshi Kitano is truly "God of Film". Bonus features of the DVD are great. Oh, and I loved the end.
  • October 7, 2009
    always loves takeshi kitano's rough performance!
  • September 20, 2009
    Bloody and beautiful, Kitano doesn't fail to deliver the goods and to amaze your senses.

    76/100

Critic Reviews


August 13, 2004
Ty Burr, Boston Globe

Witty, gruesome, and artful fun. full review

August 6, 2004
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

It's the kind of film I more and more find myself seeking out, a film that seems alive in the sense that it appears to have free will. full review

July 22, 2004
A.O. Scott, The New York Times

It often feels like many episodes of a serial compressed into a single feature. This may, in the end, be easier to digest than 25 sequels and a hundred hours of television. It may also whet your appet... full review

June 11, 2004
Liam Lacey, Globe and Mail

Violent, capricious, musical and endlessly inventive. full review

June 3, 2004
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

Beat makes the character his own with a blond Iggy Pop dye job and wicked mischief flickering under his hooded lids. full review

March 7, 2004
Nick Schager, Filmcritic.com

Action-adventure, comedy, and musical - any way you slice it, Takeshi Kitano's Zatôichi rocks. full review

View more The Blind Swordsman: Zatoichi reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments


  • adies1803dieva
    November 5, 2009
    nice story...
    i like it...
  • acua0270
    February 6, 2008
    I've seen this movie like 10 times. I love it!
  • onefinalhit
    May 8, 2007
    The sequence at the end was so great!
  • dontgiveadamn
    October 6, 2006
    Man, that movie was so awesome !
  • aimhaze
    June 10, 2006
    Has no-one eles seen this awsome film ? if you think kill bill was good,you would like this an all :)

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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