Rent Zatoichi (2003)
3.8 of 5 from 218 ratings
1h 51min
- General info
- Available formats
- Synopsis:
- Cult filmmaker Takeshi Kitano's dazzling new film is a thrilling tale of swordplay and adventure set in 19th Century Japan. Zatoichi is a blind wanderer whose humble facade disguises his prodigious skills as a master swordsman, gifted with a lightning fast draw and strokes of breathtaking precision. Arriving in a remote mountain town, he finds its people terrorised by the ruthless Ginzo gang and their mighty samurai ronin Hattori (Tadanobu Asano), who mercilessly dispose of all who get in their way. With his legendary cane sword at his side, Zatoichi's path is destined for many violent confrontations...
- Actors:
- Takeshi Kitano, Tadanobu Asano, Yui Natsukawa, Michiyo Ôkusu, Taka Guadalcanal, Daigorô Tachibana, Yûko Daike, Ittoku Kishibe, Saburô Ishikura, Akira Emoto, Ben Hiura, Kohji Miura, Hideboh, Ron II, Suji, Noriyasu, Makoto Ashikawa, Tsumami Edamame, Kosuke Ohta, Yoshiyuki Morishita
- Directors:
- Takeshi Kitano
- Writers:
- Takeshi Kitano, Kan Shimozawa
- Aka:
- Zatôichi
- Studio:
- Artificial Eye Film Company Ltd.
- Genres:
- Action & Adventure, Comedy, Drama
- Collections:
- Best Film Quests and Adventures, Lions on the Lido
- Countries:
- Japan
- Awards:
- BBFC:
- Release Date:
- 27/10/2008
- Run Time:
- 111 minutes
- Languages:
- Japanese Dolby Digital 5.1, Japanese DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
- Subtitles:
- English
- DVD Regions:
- Region 2
- Formats:
- Pal
- Aspect Ratio:
- Widescreen 2.35:1
- Colour:
- Colour
- Bonus:
- Making of Documentary
- Creative Team Interviews - Takeshi Kitano, Fight Choreographer, Production Designer, Director of Photography, Composer, Dance Choreographer & Sound Designer
- Theatrical Trailer
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Reviews (4) of Zatoichi
Beautiful and brilliant. - Zatoichi review by CP Customer
Zatoichi revolves around the character of Ichi, an unassuming travelling blind masseur, who despite being blind happens to be a master swordsman. With a blade concealed within his walking cane he uses his finely tuned senses of hearing and smell to guide him in his battles. On his travels Ichi enters a town in which several gangs are involved in a power struggle to take control of the town and its population. One gang eventually gains the upper hand and soon makes life a living hell for the locals. When Ichi befriends a local woman and her nephew they reveal the network of crime and corruption that plague their lives, he then sets out to deal justice and bring harmony back to the town. Overall, 'Zatoichi' is a great Japanese period piece that seamlessly mixes action, drama, comedy and some clever special effects. Be warned though, it's not a film for the fainthearted, the violence and gore levels are pretty high with blood nearly flying off the screen, although like Tarantino's 'Kill Bill', director Takeshi Kitano cleverly manages to create something artistically beautiful out of the blood and carnage. Exciting, funny, poignant, and beautiful to watch, highly recommended for anyone who enjoys Asian cinema.
2 out of 4 members found this review helpful.
Typical - Zatoichi review by CP Customer
An excellent film of the genre, won't disappoint.
2 out of 2 members found this review helpful.
Action packed and pure joy - Zatoichi review by GI
Quirky, fun filled and action packed this is a great film directed and starring Takeshi 'Beat' Kitano, one of Japan's biggest action stars. The character of Zatôichi originates from a series of popular novels and has been a staple character in Japanese TV and films since the early 60s (the 1989 American film Blind Fury with Rutger Hauer is based on this character) and here is given a new twist with comic book style film full of swordplay and fast bloody action. Zatôichi is a blind master swordsman who wanders the countryside of feudal Japan acting as a masseur. He has lightening reflexes and reacts with deadly violence if confronted. In this story he arrives in a small town dominated by a corrupt gang who's boss remains hidden. Trying to mind his own business he soon becomes embroiled in the town's troubles and decides to help a brother & sister who have also arrived intent on revenge. Like many samurai films they follow the narrative tropes of the gunfighter westerns of Hollywood where a lone warrior arrives in a troubled community, sets things aright and drifts on unable to share in the peace he brings. Kitano adds huge slices of humour in this film (sometimes a little too zany) and has deliberately made the bloodshed exaggerated and almost cartoon like but the film is a joy and an example of the sort of delights that can be found in the cinema of other countries. There's some very adult themes riddled through the story that may be a surprise including child prostitution and sexual assault. This is a film to just go along with for it's energy and action and to find something different.
0 out of 0 members found this review helpful.