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The Blind Swordsman: Zatoichi

Original title: Zatôichi
  • 20032003
  • RR
  • 1h 56m
IMDb RATING
7.5/10
50K
YOUR RATING
The Blind Swordsman: Zatoichi (2003)
ActionComedyCrime
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.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.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.
IMDb RATING
7.5/10
50K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Takeshi Kitano
  • Writers
    • Takeshi Kitano(screenplay)
    • Kan Shimozawa(novels)
  • Stars
    • Takeshi Kitano
    • Tadanobu Asano
    • Yui Natsukawa
  • Director
    • Takeshi Kitano
  • Writers
    • Takeshi Kitano(screenplay)
    • Kan Shimozawa(novels)
  • Stars
    • Takeshi Kitano
    • Tadanobu Asano
    • Yui Natsukawa
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 200User reviews
    • 180Critic reviews
    • 75Metascore
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 24 wins & 16 nominations

    Photos40

    Takeshi Kitano in The Blind Swordsman: Zatoichi (2003)
    Tadanobu Asano in The Blind Swordsman: Zatoichi (2003)
    Yûko Daike and Daigorô Tachibana in The Blind Swordsman: Zatoichi (2003)
    Takeshi Kitano and Tadanobu Asano in The Blind Swordsman: Zatoichi (2003)
    Yûko Daike in The Blind Swordsman: Zatoichi (2003)
    "Beat" Takeshi Kitano as Zatoichi
    Takeshi Kitano in The Blind Swordsman: Zatoichi (2003)
    Takeshi Kitano, Ittoku Kishibe, and Saburô Ishikura in The Blind Swordsman: Zatoichi (2003)
    Takeshi Kitano in The Blind Swordsman: Zatoichi (2003)
    Takeshi Kitano at an event for The Blind Swordsman: Zatoichi (2003)
    Takeshi Kitano at an event for The Blind Swordsman: Zatoichi (2003)
    Takeshi Kitano in The Blind Swordsman: Zatoichi (2003)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Takeshi Kitano
    Takeshi Kitano
    • Zatôichi
    • (as Beat Takeshi)
    • …
    Tadanobu Asano
    Tadanobu Asano
    • Hattori Genosuke
    Yui Natsukawa
    Yui Natsukawa
    • O-Shino, Hattori's Wife
    Michiyo Yasuda
    Michiyo Yasuda
    • Aunt Oume
    • (as Michiyo Ohkusu)
    Taka Guadalcanal
    • Shinkichi
    Daigorô Tachibana
    • Geisha Seitaro 'Osei' Naruto
    Yûko Daike
    Yûko Daike
    • Geisha Okinu Naruto
    Ittoku Kishibe
    • Boss Inosuke Ginzo
    Saburô Ishikura
    • Boss Tashichi Ogi
    Akira Emoto
    • Tavern Owner Pops
    Ben Hiura
    • Tavern Gramps
    Kohji Miura
    • Lord Sakai
    Hideboh
    • Dancing Farmer
    • (as The Stripes)
    Ron II
    • Dancing Farmer
    • (as The Stripes)
    Suji
    • Dancing Farmer
    • (as The Stripes)
    Noriyasu
    • Dancing Farmer
    • (as The Stripes)
    Makoto Ashikawa
    • Carpenter
    Tsumami Edamame
    Tsumami Edamame
    • Carpenter
    • Director
      • Takeshi Kitano
    • Writers
      • Takeshi Kitano(screenplay)
      • Kan Shimozawa(novels)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Takeshis'
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    Outrage Coda
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    A Scene at the Sea
    7.5
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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The blood in the film has been described by many as being "too CGI". Kitano did this intentionally, wanting to "soften the shock to the audience" due to the high body count. Kitano told the CGI artist he wanted the blood to "look like flowers blossoming across the screen."
    • Quotes

      Zatôichi: Even with my eyes wide open I can't see a thing.

    • Connections
      Featured in Denn sie kennen kein Erbarmen - Der Italowestern (2006)

    User reviews200

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    Kitano doesn't fail to amaze!!
    Zatoichi is definitely one of my favourite films and I consider it one of Kitano's best if not his best in terms of his acting and directing. I have the majority of Kitano's films and I was over joyed to hear that he was starring and directing Zatoichi and I was not disappointed when i saw it. Everything about the film is exceptional although a big disappointment for me was the fact that CGI blood was used which does look a bit fake in some scenes. That is the only criticism I can think of. The film is very violent but like Kill Bill it is comic violence. I was also pleased to see Tadanobu Asano(Kakihara from Ichi the Killer)who was very good and he also plays a reasonably similar role in Gohatto(also starring Kitano). Fans of Kitano and Japanese cinema should watch this as well as fans of the Zatoichi franchise.

    Near flawless film!!

    9.5/10
    helpful•34
    21
    • sandspider1
    • Jun 11, 2004

    FAQ2

    • What is the reason Zatoichi has blonde hair?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 6, 2003 (Japan)
    • Country of origin
      • Japan
    • Official sites
      • Artificial Eye (United Kingdom)
      • BAC Films (France)
    • Language
      • Japanese
    • Also known as
      • Zatoichi
    • Filming locations
      • Eiga-mura, Kanami, Kanae-chô, Fukuyama City, Hiroshima, Japan
    • Production companies
      • Asahi National Broadcasting Company
      • Bandai Visual Company
      • DENTSU Music And Entertainment
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $1,118,163
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $61,104
      • Jul 25, 2004
    • Gross worldwide
      • $34,196,922
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 56 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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