Fight, Zatoichi, Fight (1964)
"Zatôichi kesshô-tabi" (original title)

When Zatoichi witnesses the murder of a young mother he promises to deliver the baby to the father. Along the way he gains the help of a reluctant criminal.

Director:

Kenji Misumi

Writers:

Seiji Hoshikawa, Kan Shimosawa (stories),

Stars:

Shintarô Katsu, Nobuo Kaneko, Gen Kimura

Cast

Credited cast:
Shintarô Katsu	...	Zatoichi
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Nobuo Kaneko	...	Unosuke
Gen Kimura	...	Hyaku
Ikuko Môri	...	Babysitting prostitute
Shôsaku Sugiyama	...	Hangoro
Hizuru Takachiho	...	Ko

Storyline

Blind swordsman/masseuse Zatoichi befriends a young woman returning home with her baby. When gangsters mistake her for Zatoichi and kill her, Zatoichi determines to escort the baby to its father. He gains the reluctant help of a young pick pocket and together they travel to find the baby's father. But they do not reckon on the father's reaction to their arrival, nor on their own growing feelings for the child.

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Plot Keywords:

zatoichi | baby | samurai | pickpocket | eighth part | 

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Drama

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Details

Country:

Japan

Language:

Japanese

Release Date:

17 October 1964 (Japan)

Also Known As:

Blind Swordsman: Fight, Zatoichi, Fight

Company Credits

Production Co:

Daiei Motion Picture Company

Technical Specs

Runtime:

87 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Followed by Zatoichi Meets the One-Armed Swordsman (1971)

User Reviews

My Favorite Zatoichi Movie

Shintaro at his best. He's a mother, a husband and a reluctant killer all rolled into one. I can't imagine anyone else pulling off the role of Zatoichi. His interaction with the infant is truly heartwarming. There is pathos and humor as well. What else is there? Swordfighting, swordfighting, swordfighting...

Not that he doesn't try to talk reason to his assailants. He deters an angry samurai without blood or violence in a scene I felt was so unusual, I played it back three times in a row. I LOVE martial arts sequences, but, the reason that I watch this one again and again is the acting and the natural building of his relationship with the infant that he has decided to help.

If you want to sample the Zatoichi series, I would certainly recommend this one to be your first...