The Blind Swordsman: Zatoichi (2003)

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

Writers:

Takeshi Kitano (screenplay), Kan Shimozawa (novels)

Stars:

Takeshi Kitano, Tadanobu Asano, Yui Natsukawa

24 wins & 15 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Takeshi Kitano	...	Zatôichi / Ichi (as Beat Takeshi)
Tadanobu Asano	...	Hattori Genosuke
Michiyo Yasuda	...	Aunt Oume (as Michiyo Ohkusu)
Taka Guadalcanal	...	Shinkichi
Daigorô Tachibana	...	Geisha Seitaro 'Osei' Naruto
Yûko Daike	...	Geisha Okinu Naruto
Yui Natsukawa	...	O-Shino, Hattori's Wife
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)

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.

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Plot Keywords:

tap dancing | chopping wood | spinster | basket | extortion | 

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Taglines:

His Sword Made Him a Hero... His Courage Made Him a Legend. This Summer, Justice is Blind.

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Genres:

Action | Comedy | Crime | Drama | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong stylized bloody violence

Did You Know?

Trivia

Released 14 years after the last Zatoichi movie starring Shintaro Katsu.

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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!

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Connections

Referenced in The Dirties (2013)

User Reviews

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

Details

Official Sites:

Artificial Eye [UK] BAC Films [France]

Country:

Japan

Language:

Japanese

Release Date:

6 September 2003 (Japan)

Also Known As:

The Blind Swordsman: Zatoichi

Filming Locations:

Eiga-mura, Kanami, Kanae-chô, Fukuyama City, Hiroshima, Japan

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$61,104, 25 July 2004

Gross USA:

$1,118,163

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$34,196,922

Company Credits

Production Co:

Asahi National Broadcasting Company, Bandai Visual Company, DENTSU Music And Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

116 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1