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Takeshi Kitano, Tadanobu Asano, Michiyo Okusa, Yui Natsukawa, Gadarukanaru Taka ... see more see more... , Daigoro Tachibana , Yuko Daike , Ittoku Kishibe , Saburo Ishikura , Akira Emoto , Michiyo Ookusu

Beat Takeshi Kitano directs and plays the title role in this tribute to the wildly popular "blind swordsman" of Japanese cinema who was the hero of more than 20 movies and a television series from the... read more read more... early '60s to the late '80s. In Kitano's version, Zatôichi wanders into a town harassed by criminal gangs, and helps two geishas take revenge on the men who murdered their parents. His mission leads him to a final, bloody confrontation with the gang's mastermind and his hired assassin (Tadanobu Asano), a swordsman with a reputation as lethal as Zatôichi. ~ Tom Vick, Rovi

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86% liked it

37,890 ratings

Critics

87% liked it

122 critics

R, 1 hr. 56 min.

Directed by: Takeshi Kitano

Release Date: September 6, 2003

Keywords: samurai

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DVD Release Date: November 9, 2004

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Stats: 1,932 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (1,932)

  • brooklynspo
    July 28, 2007
    brooklynspo
    Did not kick ass.
  • MrMarakai
    April 18, 2011
    MrMarakai
    'Beat' Takeshi Kitano made his name as a standup comedian before entering into cinema with a surprising array of serious and very violent roles. Here he tries to recapture the successful character who was a popular figure in Japanese film & television throughout the 1960's to the... read more 1980's.
    Nineteenth-century blind nomad known as a gambler and masseur is also a lightning-fast master swordsman who stumbles into a town run by gangs and a powerful samurai. When he meets two geishas who are out to avenge their parents' murder, the fireworks begin.
    I've never seen the very successful series of films or television program of which this is based upon, so i'm not in a position to compare but it doesn't hinder the enjoyment of this visceral yet playful bloodfest. Kitano stages the whole yarn in a very theatrical style, with extremely exagerrated bloodletting, combined with an excellent soundtrack to fit with the rythmic moments and movements from the characters, like workers plowing the fields or rain pattering off an umbrella. It's beautifully shot and really captures the ingriguing Japanese culture with several stunning shots. As much as I admire the almost mystical and stoic tradition of the Japanese, I'm not the biggest Samurai fan, so the whole thing worked for me only to a certain degree. However, if your a fan of swordplay, then this will be right up your kimono.
    There's no denying the visual style throughout this serene yet kinetic bloodbath. It's like an eastern spaghetti western, but if your not interested in the genre then harikari may be a better option for you.
  • garyX
    January 23, 2011
    garyX
    A wandering blind masseur with unsurpassed skills as a swordsman finds himself allied with a quirky collection of misfits against a ruthless criminal gang, including a brother and sister impersonating a pair of geishas and an unlucky would-be gambler. I'm a big fan of Beat Takesh... read morei, and I love samurai movies so I was never going to dislike this film. It's my first non-gangster piece from him and I have to say, it's got to be my favourite; the great cast of likeable oddballs feel like real people rather than resorting to the kind of contrived wackiness of many indie style films, and it has a mix of ingredients such as a wide streak of gentle humour and even a musical tap number(!) that just don't sound like they'd fit in with a samurai film, but somehow it works! The explosions of artful violence are beautifully done, with an inventive use of CGI to represent the gushing blood that looks like splashes of vibrant red paint against the subdued tones of Beat Takeshi's cinematic canvas. An inventive and beautiful looking samurai film that is a worthy successor to the heritage of Akira Kurosawa.
  • Deano78
    April 25, 2010
    Deano78
    Ok seems I missed something here?? This film has great reviews but I found it very slow and the fights are far to quick, barely fights at all. I don't know of the other Zatoichi films this was inspired by but this felt like a film made 30 years ago. Some of the scenes become very... read more boring and repetitive along with minimal dialogue. The end fight is good but it's a long slow numb build up to it!
  • LorenzoVonMatterhorn
    October 12, 2009
    LorenzoVonMatterhorn
    "Even with my eyes wide open I can't see a thing."

    The blind masseur/swordsman comes to an town in control of warring gangs, and while bunking with a farming family, he meets two women with their own agenda.

    REVIEW
    ... read more>
    Kitano's remake of the classic multi-part samurai tale keeps with the spirit of the old pictures, but adds a feeling only 'Beat' Kitano could add. Zatoichi again finds himself in a heap of trouble not his own when he takes shelter in a village controlled by violent gangs. At first half-heartedly avoiding the conflict, he is soon drawn in when he meets up with some colorful characters with vengeance in mind.

    Kitano has never been shy about bringing on the bloodshed and this samurai swash-buckler is no different. Limbs get sliced off, skin gets split open, geysers of red spurt left and right, but he treats the violence with a near comic over-representation; it's simply too exaggerated to be taken seriously. He has also chosen to incorporate his off-beat sense of humor which makes for an interesting union with the traditionally serious trappings of a samurai piece. On the technical side he is at the top of his game. Color, lighting and sound are all excellent. The only real down side to the film is the actual plot; while the writing is good, the story is all to familiar and cliché.

    Recommended to any one who wants to watch a good, fun movie, but especially to samurai film fans as this is the best one of it's kind to come out in a number of years.
  • kiriyamakazou
    September 19, 2009
    kiriyamakazou
    This is what opened my eyes to Zatoichi 6 years ago. Back then I saw it as a Kitano fan, and it was an absolutely beautiful piece. Now I watch it after the original 26 movies, and it's even more striking. Kitano has done an excellent job of fusing his own style and calm with what... read more makes a Zatoichi film great. Kitano is obviously not trying to fill Katsu's shoes, he shows this instantly with Zatoichi's bleached hair. This has some truly memorable shots, and great supporting characters. It has the humour and the violence and enough badarsery to keep you glued. Underneath it all is Kitano's wonderful subtle way of dealing with emotions. With the two geisha "sisters", we have a dance scene where it is the one playing the music that is overwhelmed with sadness at what her brother has endured over the last ten years. The music and cinematography are sublime in every way. The music talking on an original slant, often creating the illusion that it is coming from the actions on-screen. This is a great stand alone film, a beautiful Kitano film, and a fantastic companion to Katsu's legacy.
  • SirPant
    September 4, 2009
    SirPant
    Takeshi Kitano's take on the classic Japanese story of Zatoichi, The Blind Swordsman. A risky move seeing as the series has a massive loyal following around the globe. Luckily the risk paid off as it was an international success and fans of the franchise embarrassed it. Shintarô ... read moreKatsu will always be Zatoichi but he can rest in peace in the knowledge that the character remains unspoilt and still kicking ass! The end sequence is fantastic!
  • rubystevens
    May 19, 2008
    rubystevens
    i mostly enjoyed it but what was up with the hoedown at the end? tres bizarre
  • DragonEyeMorrison
    February 21, 2008
    DragonEyeMorrison
    Kitano's take on the popular japanese character of Zatoichi is both fun and interesting. Kitano manages to add his unique ambigous touch to the character while preserving it's roots. I did missed Joe Hisaishi's music on this one, even that the soundtrack is not bad. The CGI blood... read more ocasionally breaks the atmosphere, but eventually becomes part of the film.

    Some purists of the original flicks might have not liked this one, this wasn't suppose to be an exact copy of the originals. Kitano and Katsu-shin are two very different performers. So take this as what it is, a different take on a well known character.
  • Saxia
    January 22, 2008
    Saxia
    Saw this one again, but I'm sorry to say this: Kitano lacks the charisma that Shintaro Katsu has, the charisma that ís Zatoichi. I missed the dry and silly humour, that and the lack of personality makes this a slow and dull movie. The character played by Tadanobu Asano makes up f... read moreor that what Kitano's Zatoichi lacks: charisma and personality.

View All Zatôichi (The Blind Swordsman: Zatoichi) Reviews

Critic Reviews

Christy Lemire
May 27, 2011
Christy Lemire, Associated Press

The Blind Swordsman: Zatoichi begins life as a straight-up samurai movie, evolves into a slapstick comedy and ends as a rousing, tap-dancing musical. Full Review

David Ansen
November 1, 2007
David Ansen, Newsweek

Zatoichi is a mix-and-match crowd-pleaser that shouldn't add up, but delightfully does. Full Review

Bill Muller
September 30, 2004
Bill Muller, Arizona Republic

For those unfamiliar with such films, Zatoichi might be a little off-putting. But given a chance, the movie can be pretty entertaining. Full Review

Roger Moore
August 27, 2004
Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel

This isn't arty violence, just violence, and pretty pedestrian for a samurai picture. Full Review

Eleanor Ringel Gillespie
August 19, 2004
Eleanor Ringel Gillespie, Atlanta Journal-Constitution

A savvy blend of slapstick, sword fights and samurai honor. Full Review

Lisa Kennedy
August 13, 2004
Lisa Kennedy, Denver Post

An immensely entertaining and at times moving story. Full Review

Ty Burr
August 13, 2004
Ty Burr, Boston Globe

Witty, gruesome, and artful fun. Full Review

Robert Denerstein
August 13, 2004
Robert Denerstein, Denver Rocky Mountain News

The movie isn't so much a celebration of swordplay as a giddy knock-off of a million samurai movies.

Carrie Rickey
August 12, 2004
Carrie Rickey, Philadelphia Inquirer

A breathtakingly choreographed dance of revenge and justice.

Stephen Hunter
August 6, 2004
Stephen Hunter, Washington Post

Boy, is this baby a hoot. Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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