Zatoichi and the Fugitives (1968) User Reviews

Gloomily tragic atmosphere contrasted by sympathetic characters

[kluseba · 8/10 · 19 March 2018]

Zatoichi and the Fugitives is the eighteenth entry in the Japanese franchise about the blind masseur, skilled swordsman and lowly yakuza. The film convinces with gloomy atmosphere, profound characters and brutal fight sequences. Zatoichi comes to a region that is terrorized by a group of cruel criminals and to a town controlled by a greedy boss who treats indebted citizens like slaves. Zatoichi stays at the local doctor's residence and grows fond of the generous man and his kind daughter. Things start getting complicated when an inspector comes to town who is looking for the fugitive criminals and when the leader of these criminals is revealed to be the doctor's disowned son. The greedy boss cooperates with the cruel fugitives and Zatoichi steps up to prevent further bloodbaths. However, the doctor and his daughter get kidnapped and Zatoichi gets severely wounded. The injured swordsman must free his friends, deal with the cruel fugitives and confront the evil boss.

This movie convinces on many levels. First of all, it has a quite gloomy atmosphere showing intimidation, slavery and torture. Secondly, the movie's sinsiter tone is contrasted by a few likeable characters such as the generous doctor and his helpful daughter. Thirdly, the fight sequences are among the most intense in the franchise and especially the final thirty minutes when a severly injured Zatoichi takes his revenge are extremely intense. One has never seen Zatoichi as vulnerable as in this movie which only seems to make him stronger. The movie's tragic end is quite a tearjerker and also leaves a big impression.

There aren't many negative things to say. Obviously, the story is once again quite predictable but that's the case for nearly all movies of the franchise. The middle section is atmospheric but maybe slightly plodding and could have been shortened by a few minutes for a more fluid and vivid experience.

Still, this movie's brutal, desperate and gloomy atmosphere makes it one of the most remarkable entries in the franchise. Fans of old date, occasional fans of chambara films and those who are curious about the massive Zatoichi saga but haven't checked it out yet should appreciate Zatoichi and the Fugitives alike.

One of the best in the series...don't expect much comedy though.

[origo13 · 7/10 · 5 November 2010]

Zatoichi and the fugitives is definitely one the few that stands out from the rest of the series much like how 'Zatoichi and the chess expert' and 'Zatoichi the outlaw' did (that is if you watched the films in the order it was released).

'Zatoichi and the Fugitives' features some of the most ruthless villains to have appeared in any of the zatoichi films preceding this title. These villains really gave 'Zato no Ichi' (played by Shintaro Katsu) a tough time. Its the first time I actually worried for his safety which is a rarity since he is mostly portrayed as a practically invincible swordsmen as seen in 'Adventures of Zatoich' where he slayed an entire guard post with scores of skilled swordsmen. However this time Zatoichi has many close calls which gives a change of pace from the mass-slaying zatoichi we are so used to, suspense is no stranger to this film.

Takashi Shimura of 'Seven Samurai' and 'Red Beard' fame that played Dr Junan really left me impressed. The dynamic between the blind gangster/swordsmen/anma and the kind-hearted doctor made for a very entertaining watch. Takashi Shimura did not disappoint.

The use of Manzai comedy and the customary gambling scene where Zatoichi always manages to split the loaded dice in half is left out of this film. Instead one can expect a dark and suspenseful tale with a very solid story that doesn't feel too reminiscent of the previous 17 films.

If you have made it to the 18th installment of the long-time running zatoichi series than that means your already hooked to this very likable icon. Zatoichi and the fugitives is definitely one of my favorite Zatoichi films.

Katsu Shintaro paired with Shimura Takashi, leads to good film

[bighouseaz · 8/10 · 25 February 2005]

As others have suggested, I also get the impression that the studio was trying a little extra to keep the Zatoichi enterprise chugging along and making money. The film mostly succeeds.

It's great to see Takashi Shimura in a supporting role as Dr. Junan. Even though he is aged in this appearance and his hair is white, who can forget the thick lips and the fine acting in previous films like Seven Samurai, Drunken Angel and Ikiru? There is also more blood in this entry, a sign of things to come.

Zatoichi takes on a group of vicious thugs. Zatoichi is befriended by Dr. Junan. In the end, taking on the thugs destroys his friendship with the doctor.

Well, you've seen the same story unfold numerous times before, but it's still an enjoyable ride.

He Just Can't Win

[masercot · 28 April 2003]

Ichi perforates a good man yakuza in this one. There is much killing and talk of killing. The fugitives in this movie are probably the most sadistic of Ichi's enemies. This movie follows formula, which, if you like Zatoichi movies, is not a bad thing. What is the formula, you ask:

Two separate enemies. Both want Ichi dead and they interact with one another.

The bloodless display of sword-drawing prowess. Ichi cuts something in front of a group of thugs so precisely that he deters them from violence.

The hostage rescue. Ichi walks into a boss' headquarters and walks out with some innocent, often without drawing any blood.

The friendship of people who are scornful of gangsters (which is what Ichi is, for all practical purposes).

The young girl who falls for Ichi.

The jaded woman who turns over a new leaf.

The big battle at the end.

This movie followed formula to the letter; however, Shintaro Katsu is an excellent actor. The doctor and the fallen woman also put in excellent performances. Everyone else just shouts a lot and reaches for his sword.

I'd recommend this one to Ichi or samurai movie fans.

Pretty typical--and in the case of a Zatoichi film, that's pretty good

[planktonrules · 7/10 · 3 June 2009]

While the opening scene isn't too unusual for a Zatoichi film, the music that follows as the credits roll is. Instead of the usual fare, the song has a beat similar to some of the Spaghetti Westerns, though the singer is Japanese--an unusual style to say the least, though the Zatoichi films ARE at heart very similar to these Italian films (similar themes of good versus evil and the almost super-human hero).

As for the rest of the film, it's full of the usual elements in a Zatoichi film--assorted bad guys who want to kill Ichi AND torment the masses, an evil but beautiful woman (not in all of these films, but a familiar element) and Ichi again not wanting to kill. And, as usual, the film begins with an attach on Zatoichi. Soon afterwords, Ichi arrives in the same town where a gang of assassins are being hid by a corrupt government official. Ichi strikes up a friendship with a kind and generous doctor that invites him to live with him and do massage on his patients. However, not unexpectedly, the assassins end up killing a lot of people for the evil official--necessitating Ichi to kick butt. However, in a twist, he's severely wounded by a gunshot and is practically dead on his feet during the final two confrontations--the first with the official and his gang and later with the assassins.

Overall, a pretty typical but always good film from start to finish.

By the way, at the 43 minute mark, there is a confrontation between Ichi and some jerks. This has to be one of the coolest and funniest ones I've seen in these films! It's a truly memorable scene.

Recommended for those new to our beloved Ichi

[phlbrq58 · 8/10 · 14 November 2020]

I don't think best but I do think casting, sword stunts and story construction all make this very accessible for the uninitiated. Despite being humorless and bloodier than earlier entries it exemplifies the sensational aspects of Zatoichi many people are first impressed by. The nuance of humor, appetite, and isolation made the series endure for me only upon deeper viewing.

Zatoichi goes spaghetti Western

[susansweb · 7/10 · 16 November 2004]

From the opening credits and the blaring song that starts the movie, it was obvious to me that the Zatoichi franchise was making an attempt to make a spaghetti Samurai movie. In earlier Zatoichi films, the villains were bad, but they were usually cowardly buffoons hiding behind hundreds of henchmen and the occasional hired gun. In this movie, the fugitives are particularly loathsome: dirty with no respect for anyone. The violence is more brutal and even Zatoichi gets one of his worst beatings in a long time.

Unlike the Italian westerns, the violence happens mostly at the end; Zatoichi tries to warn off the fugitives, but even he mutters that these people are trouble. I think his Italian counterpart would have wiped them out as soon as he met them. The typical Zatoichi touches are still there, the twist at the end (which is so obvious, I think even the filmmakers weren't too concerned with making it hard to guess) and the large bodycount at the end, for example. I give the filmmakers credit for trying to stay up with the times and the film is enjoyable but I also feel that some of the Italian "gimmicks" weren't needed (most notably the jarring music).

Amped up violence

[JohnSeal · 6/10 · 16 February 2002]

Don't be lulled asleep by the (typical) orderly pacing of this Zatoichi entry: this is the bloodiest entry in the series so far.

Add in an outstanding score from the unsung Hajime Kabarugi, and you have a winner!

Zatoichi and the Fugitives (1968)

[mevmijaumau · 21 December 2015]

Kimiyoshi Yasuda's Zatoichi and the Fugitives (not to be confused with the earlier entry called Zatoichi the Fugitive) strays a bit from the usual formula but it's still a recognizable Zatoichi picture in general and not a particularly good or a bad installment of the series at that.

The plot is typical; Zatoichi enters a town run by gangsters and corrupt officials - nothing new. But, despite the usual slow pacing, this entry is a bit more modern than its predecessors. The violence is pulpy, bloody and plentiful, there's a bit of comic nudity, the Spaghetti Western-like scoring style is perfected and perfectly combined with Zatoichi's new theme song, and the villains are noticeably more ruthless and sadistic than usual. There is also a lot of killing in this movie; it has what must be the largest body-count of any Zatoichi film so far and the final boss kill is particularly good. Fun fact; legendary actor Takashi Shimura appears as the benevolent town doctor (usually the same actors repeat in this series so it's always interesting to see a famous face).

Highlight of the film: Zatoichi removes a bullet from his shoulder using his cane-sword.

Another excellent Zatoichi movie

[ScoPi · 26 September 1999]

Zatoichi takes on a corrupt law officer and a group desperate fugitives. There is humor, and plenty of action. See Ichi take on an assassin with a gun!

There isn't much to make this one stand out from the other later Zatoichi films, but it does have Takashi Shimura in a supporting role.

Second worst so far in the series of 26

[ersbel · 8 April 2010]

Overall, this is the second worst movie of the series after no. 16.

After the break of the Chessmaster movie this comes back as a bad choice. Again, there are the fountains of badly made blood, poodles of unconvincing thick blood staying like some common paint, severing of body parts. Let's call them special effects, but such bad execution should be convincing enough for the makers to re-shoot the scenes without the gratuitous gore.

From a script stand point this is even worse than the 16th movie of the series. This is some sort of Rocky of Japan. Usually Zatoichi does not wait for too many proofs for bad guys, yet this time waits for all to pile up in an idiotic and unrealistic Hollywood way. And when everything is way too much - he does it badly wounded and after losing a lot of blood. Sure, this turns out to be more of a legend, yet, a legend that needs blood not to keep alive, but to spill some red stuff in a vane attempt to increase drama... this turns out bad.

It would have been acceptable if this was the last movie of the series, having him die off screen and try to explain the ridiculous scenes by the last wish.

I've given it 5 stars out of respect (Hollywood does something worse in the first movie and the sequels are far worse, yet this is the 18th!) and because it still has a lot more script than most of the movies employing katanas.

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