The Blind Swordsman: Zatoichi

Name: The Blind Swordsman: Zatoichi
Genre: Action, Drama, Comedy, Crime, Music
Released: July 23, 2004
Duration: 116 min
Rating: 75
Cast: Tadanobu Asano, Takeshi Kitano, Yui Natsukawa

2004

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Generally favorable reviews based on 33 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 44 Ratings

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7.4

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7.4	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 44 Ratings

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The Blind Swordsman: Zatoichi

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Movie Details & Credits

Miramax Films | Release Date: July 23, 2004 | R

Starring: Tadanobu Asano, Takeshi Kitano, Yui Natsukawa

Summary: Director Takeshi Kitano takes on Japanese cinematic legend Zatoichi. Kitano stars as the blind wanderer with a distinctive red cane and a shock of platinum blonde hair. Softly-spoken, he makes a living as a masseur and by gambling, but his humble, shuffling facade masks a lightning-fast, deadly swordsman. (Miramax)

Director: Takeshi Kitano

Genre(s): Action, Drama, Comedy, Crime, Music

Rating: R

Runtime: 116 min

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Critic Reviews

100

Michael Wilmington

A masterpiece of wry violence and stylized mayhem, The Blind Swordsman: Zatoichi turns loose one of Japan's most brilliant film auteurs, Takeshi Kitano, on one of its most enduring pop legends. Read full review

Carrie Rickey

A boisterous and improbably entertaining action comedy. Read full review

Desson Thomson

Kitano the filmmaker makes sure that everything is beautiful, from the wonderful colors and passing tableaux to the intricate fighting choreography. This blind swordsman, you realize, has vision to spare. Read full review

Liam Lacey

It feels like one long non-sequitur -- like closing a Charles Bronson film with a disco medley -- but there's an emotional consistency to Kitano's boisterous celebration of movement. Read full review

Sean Axmaker

More reinvention than remake, this black-humored, blood-soaked adventure is a colorful if impersonal audience pleaser done up in a showy, fluid style with a tongue-in-cheek flair. Read full review

Keith Phipps

Like Ang Lee's "Hulk," it's a fusion of arthouse and multiplex instincts, and though it seems unlikely to satisfy anyone, it's just as unlikely that anyone who sees it will forget it soon. Read full review

David Edelstein

What saves Zatoichi is that it ends -- for no clear reason -- with a foot-stomping ensemble dance number that is both delightful and unhinging: It sends you home with spasmodic giggles, convinced this Japanese imp has discovered a new path to your unconscious. Read full review

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User Reviews

JamesM

Dec 11, 2005

Takeshi Kitano's masterpiece. You must see this film.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

Riren

Jan 30, 2007

An unflinching revival of the Zatoichi series, this movie requires no knowledge of prior films, or even Japanese film history - though every drop of knowledge helps. All you really need to know is that this is an expert's product in the new kind of film, that which will do whatever it An unflinching revival of the Zatoichi series, this movie requires no knowledge of prior films, or even Japanese film history - though every drop of knowledge helps. All you really need to know is that this is an expert's product in the new kind of film, that which will do whatever it wants whenever it wants. What Zatoichi does that others fail at is earn at or amuse with everything it decides to do, from dance scenes to fight scenes, from innuendo to philosophy. It's not as pretty as Hero or Curse of the Golden Flower, nor are its actors as internationally recognizable - but it is considerably better at doing almost everything that those two movies do, short the wire teams. Give it a try, and bring your friends.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

Kai82

Jan 3, 2020

Takeshi Kitano at his best. Zatoichi is a rivival of a famous Japanese movie series based of the books of Kan Shimozawa. Outside of Japan it is nearly unknown (or at least in my country). Back then I did barely know that a series exists and had to look the rest up. Zatoichi is a blindTakeshi Kitano at his best. Zatoichi is a rivival of a famous Japanese movie series based of the books of Kan Shimozawa. Outside of Japan it is nearly unknown (or at least in my country). Back then I did barely know that a series exists and had to look the rest up. Zatoichi is a blind masseur with unmatched sword skills and sharpened senses that gives him more perception than many others. He is a wanderer that travels trough the country and got drag into this adventure. The movie uses and plays with many stereotypes but in an interesting and entertaining way. There are the Geisha's which travel trough the country to avenge the dead of their parents, there is the ronin (samurai without master) which is even a match for Zatoichi that struggles with his honor and his duty to help his (terminal?) ill wife and there are the townsfolk which gets ripped of by a crime syndicate (Yakuza). This is like a said a strength of this movie. If done incorrect then this would be an awful movie. But it is done in such a way that you care for all characters and want to see the resolve of their stories. Then there is Zatoichi himself. I haven't seen the old movies but Takeshi Kitano gave all in this role: Seriousness, humor, emotion, (self)irony and badassness. Then there are the side characters. All are carefully chosen. I don't know how they did it but I will say that all of them are perfect additions to this movie. I will also praise the costumes, sets and story line. Everything fits together to create something that is bigger than its parts. Overall I hope that this wont be the last Zatoichi movie. Additional Info: Takeshi Kitano made many great movies in his carer that you should definitely watch.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

Tchaikovsky

Feb 20, 2018

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This one of the last the Takeshi's Kitano's masterpieces, and one of the last great film's about the feudal japan well about samurai. Good Takeshi's performance as a blind Samurai. the action is very good a polished film and entertainsing.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

HellHoleHorror

Feb 14, 2022

There was lots of CGI blood flying around, would have preferred real fake blood. The story was confusing but the bits of it that I understood were really good and interesting. The ending was full of stuff happening. For all of the blood there wasn't much violence like people heads beingThere was lots of CGI blood flying around, would have preferred real fake blood. The story was confusing but the bits of it that I understood were really good and interesting. The ending was full of stuff happening. For all of the blood there wasn't much violence like people heads being ripped apart and the like. Worth watching and enjoyable fantasy film full of culture, that needs concentration. I love the musical montage bits and they actually fit into the story and the world. Fantastic film with brilliant characters and wonderful musical interludes... also blood!… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Dimitris01

Nov 22, 2013

The story could be better developed since there are pacing problems, needless secondary characters and a guy who behaves like a geisha. However 'Zatoichi' has a cool protagonist, a dangerous villain and bloody, realistic action. Moreover the acting is good, there are several intense momentsThe story could be better developed since there are pacing problems, needless secondary characters and a guy who behaves like a geisha. However 'Zatoichi' has a cool protagonist, a dangerous villain and bloody, realistic action. Moreover the acting is good, there are several intense moments and the ending will satisfy your need for retribution.
argonautis.eu… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

MaxPayneIsGod

May 10, 2020

Didn't really know what I was getting into. It was OK, but at the same time quite farcical. You could be forgiven for thinking it was a 1980s movie with exceptionally bad CGI on a shoestring budget.
I don't have a lot to base this on, and have read the "Style" of the movie was deliberate,Didn't really know what I was getting into. It was OK, but at the same time quite farcical. You could be forgiven for thinking it was a 1980s movie with exceptionally bad CGI on a shoestring budget.
I don't have a lot to base this on, and have read the "Style" of the movie was deliberate, but I do think it could have been a hell of a lot better. On a whole its a shame because some of the fight scenes are pretty entertaining, its the rest of it, literally everything else that misses the mark.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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