Zatoichi - The New Tale of Zatoichi poster & wallpaper
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Shintarô Katsu, Mikiko Tsubouchi, Chitose Maki, Mieko Kondo, Seizaburô Kawazu ... see more see more... , Katsu Shintaro

In this classic samurai tale, Zatoichi (Shintaro Katsu) is a legendary swordsman whose feats of skill and cunning are all the more remarkable for the fact he cannot see. Zatoichi has tired of the warr... read more read more...ior's life, and has returned to the village of his birth in search of peace and tranquility. Meanwhile, Zatoichi's former mentor Banno has arranged for his sister Yayoi to marry a wealthy samurai, but when Zatoichi and Yayoi meet, they quickly fall in love. Banno, however, refuses to grant his old student his sister's hand, leading to an ugly confrontation. But Zatoichi's love life is hardly his only problem; some time ago, he killed a corrupt politician, and now the man's brother has sworn vengeance against him. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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83% liked it

1,091 ratings

Unrated, 1 hr. 30 min.

Directed by: Tokuzo Tanaka

Release Date: January 1, 1963

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DVD Release Date: October 22, 2002

 

Stats: 50 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (50)

  • SirPant
    March 22, 2012
    SirPant
    Zatoichi, now in colour! And how beautiful the colour is too. This is essentially the start of a new chapter for Zatoichi, although his past does catch up with him also. The character develops quite a fair bit here and this is much more than just a revenge/letskilleveryoneinthero... read moreomjustforthesakeofit martial arts film. In fact, martial arts fans might not like it due the lack of fighting but then they would be missing the point somewhat. Zatoichi taking on his master is awesome. Why these films are so hard to get is beyond me, they are brilliant!
  • kiriyamakazou
    August 11, 2009
    kiriyamakazou
    Zatoichi enters the world of colour with incredible cinematography from Chishi Makiura. It has a dark look, but what whatever the light touches is brought to life dramatically. It doesn't use the colour as a gimmick, and half an hour in you forget the last two films were in black... read more and white. The New Tale of Zatoichi sees Kanbei's brother searching for revenge. This isn't a simple revenge story though. He isn't doing it out of love, but out of the shame of having a blind man slay his brother. Once again Zatoichi (almost) enters a complex love affair as he tries to release the sister of his old master from an arranged marriage. Zatoichi continues to be a fascinating character. Never has a man that has avoided violence been so subjected to it. The highlight, however, is seeing the man in pursuit of Zatoichi sparing his arm in an act of admirable mercy. The third film and no steam has been lost.
  • sanjurosamurai
    May 18, 2008
    sanjurosamurai
    zatoichi breaks into the world of color film in a great way. this third instalment of the zatoichi series is great, with more thoughtful diologue and an even more intriguing storyline than the first two which were already very good. zatoichi meets his mentor in a great duel and... read more stands up for justice at the same time. excellent samurai film.
  • fb511192930
    November 29, 2011
    fb511192930
    This is the struggle of what Zatoichi much do in order to escape the Yakuza, to give it up for love it seems as though he is constantly swimming against the current for even the Yakuza member who pays him the kindness of letting go of his debt is senselessly murdered when Zaoitch... read morei attempts to thank him by his owner friend. It seems as though the master of Zatoichi is not a friend or a fair man, a cold and calculating thief and murderer of innocent men who uses Zatoichi and at the first chance kicks Zatoichi when he asks for his sister's hand in marriage.

    I hate to say it, but this movie seems really cruel to Zatoichi, I cannot help but to feel bad for him. Leaving the sword alone is impossible for him, in the turbulent times of civil war that embodied the spirit of Japan's feudal era his is the knight's piece in the chess board of life.

    He has killed men, yet he is a good man in a cruel time and place.
  • nativesunljt
    February 11, 2008
    nativesunljt
    Really good movie that was surprisingly good. I loved the story but it was sad. Great all the way around.

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Critic Reviews

Brian Mckay
June 3, 2003
Brian Mckay, eFilmCritic.com

In addition to greater character development and bigger, bolder fight scenes, installment number three marks the foray of the Zatoichi series into the wonderful world of Technicolor. Full Review

Emanuel Levy
August 1, 2005
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

No review available.

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