Zatoichi at the Fire Festival (1970)

79% of users liked it
(803 ratings)

Misumi Kenji's Zatoichi: The Festival of Fire finds the famous blind swordsman becoming mixed up with a blind but powerful gangster. The town is a brutal place where women and children are regularly available to the highest bidder. Zatoichi takes a fancy to two local women, and this causes him to… More Misumi Kenji's Zatoichi: The Festival of Fire finds the famous blind swordsman becoming mixed up with a blind but powerful gangster. The town is a brutal place where women and children are regularly available to the highest bidder. Zatoichi takes a fancy to two local women, and this causes him to earn the ire of both two local men - one of them a Yakuza. ~ Perry Seibert, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 36 min.
Directed By: Kenji Misumi
Written By: Takayuki Yamada, Shintarô Katsu
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, Art House & International

In Theaters: Aug 12, 1970 Wide
On DVD: Apr 6, 2004

No Critic Reviews Found…

Featured Audience Ratings

Anthony L

Carry on Zatoichi? Well, not quite but there are a few naughty bits. The shower scene and the dream sequence were a bit different for a Zatoichi film, as was the homosexual Yakuza wannabe - I wonder whether this was the source of inspiration for Takeshi's version? Anyway, this… More
Carry on Zatoichi? Well, not quite but there are a few naughty bits. The shower scene and the dream sequence were a bit different for a Zatoichi film, as was the homosexual Yakuza wannabe - I wonder whether this was the source of inspiration for Takeshi's version? Anyway, this was an odd addition to the series but very much in the best sense.
Luke B

Zatoichi returns in his most risquÃ© adventure. We even see boobs and have have hints at homosexuality...COR BLIMEY. It has all the right ingredients and lots of memorable moments. The best part is a frantic, nude, bath house sword fight that predates the Eastern Promise scene by… More
Zatoichi returns in his most risquÃ© adventure. We even see boobs and have have hints at homosexuality...COR BLIMEY. It has all the right ingredients and lots of memorable moments. The best part is a frantic, nude, bath house sword fight that predates the Eastern Promise scene by nearly 40 years. It's a hilarious and exciting scene that plays to all of Zatoichi's strengths. There's also a memorable climax, with Zatoichi being in love once again and a final confrontation that comments on the jealousy of man. Consider this a "must watch" of the series.
Anthony V

A bit formulaic, but still fun.