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.
Director:
Takeshi Kitano
From metacritic.com
The Hollywood legend has a blast showing his darker side in his new film The Intruder, and admits to some set-life secrets.
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Title: The Blind Swordsman: Zatoichi (2003)
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21 wins & 10 nominations.
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Edit
Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Takeshi Kitano | ... | Zatôichi / Ichi (as Beat Takeshi) | |
| Tadanobu Asano | ... | Hattori Genosuke | |
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Michiyo Yasuda | ... | Aunt Oume (as Michiyo Ohkusu) |
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Taka Guadalcanal | ... | Shinkichi |
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Daigorô Tachibana | ... | Geisha Seitaro 'Osei' Naruto |
| Yûko Daike | ... | Geisha Okinu Naruto | |
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Yui Natsukawa | ... | O-Shino, Hattori's Wife |
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Ittoku Kishibe | ... | Boss Inosuke Ginzo |
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Saburô Ishikura | ... | Boss Tashichi Ogi |
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Akira Emoto | ... | Tavern Owner Pops |
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Ben Hiura | ... | Tavern Gramps |
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Kohji Miura | ... | Lord Sakai |
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Hideboh | ... | Dancing Farmer (as The Stripes) |
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Ron II | ... | Dancing Farmer (as The Stripes) |
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Suji | ... | Dancing Farmer (as The Stripes) |
Edit
Plot Summary
|
Add Synopsis
Storyline
Blind Zatoichi makes his living by gambling and giving massages. But behind his humble facade, Zatoichi is a master swordsman, gifted with lightning-fast draw and strokes of breathtaking precision. Zatoichi wanders into a town run by sinister gangs and a powerful samurai. He's destined for violent showdowns when he stumbles on two beautiful geishas avenging their parents' murder... Duels, wit and a touch of zen! Cult anti-hero Zatoichi is back in a sword-fighting adventure written, directed and starring Takeshi Kitano. Written by intlpress@aol.com
Taglines:
His Sword Made Him a Hero... His Courage Made Him a Legend. This Summer, Justice is Blind.Parents Guide:
View content advisory »
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Details
Country:
JapanLanguage:
JapaneseRelease Date:
5 November 2003 (France) See more »Also Known As:
The Blind Swordsman: Zatoichi See more »Edit
Box Office
Opening Weekend:
$2,424,807 (Japan), 7 September 2003, Limited ReleaseOpening Weekend USA:
$61,104, 25 July 2004, Limited ReleaseGross USA:
$853,718, 26 September 2004Company Credits
Production Co:
Asahi National Broadcasting Company, Bandai Visual Company, DENTSU Music And Entertainment See more »
Show more on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Sound Mix:
Dolby DigitalColor:
ColorAspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1
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Geisha Seitaro 'Osei' Naruto: Me, too.
Shinkichi: No! Men first!
Geisha Seitaro 'Osei' Naruto: I am a man!
See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
Before directing this film, Takeshi Kitano included a scene that parodies Zatoichi in his film Getting Any? (1994). See more »Quotes
Shinkichi: I'll have a bath.Geisha Seitaro 'Osei' Naruto: Me, too.
Shinkichi: No! Men first!
Geisha Seitaro 'Osei' Naruto: I am a man!
See more »
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It's a kind of "what the hell" type of movie, as in "what the hell, let's throw in a dance scene," as in "what the hell, let's play with 50 years of mythology' as in 'what the hell is an action movie really?" I liked it. It had a desert dry humor about it, the action scenes were amazing (yes, the blood is supposed to look fake!) and I just liked the shear audacity of it all. Kitano made a crowd pleasing action film with out sacrificing his art. It isn't the plot that makes this one go, it's Kitano's refusal to play to anyones expectations. It's not a perfect movie, but it's amazing to watch a film maker at the top of his game just showing off for his own selfish pleasure.