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Zatoichi the Blind Swordsman, Vol. 1 - The Tale of Zatoichi Director: Kenji Misumi Number of Items: 1 Picture Format: Letterbox Format: Black & White, Widescreen Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated) Running Time: 96 minutes Studio: Home Vision Entertainment Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 Region Code: 1 Product Group: DVD Release Date: 2002-05-14 Buy from Amazon |
 "An outlaw that lives with honor, and kills by stealth..."This is very enjoyable. I thought to myself as soon as I put it on, "This is gonna be boring." As soon as I witnessed the dialog, I thought, "This is gonna be VERY enjoyable!" His charm, smarts, and just his character all around is amazingly likable. I wasn't even wondering how much action was going to be on this DVD when I saw this awesome character. Don't worry action freaks, there's some of that too. Fast action. I'm talkin' about action that's so quick it takes a little replay in slow-motion. Whew, this guy really is a master with a sword. You can definitely tell when he's slicing. (The perfectly realistic choreography helps a lot as well.) I remember seeing "Seven Samurai", knowing it was one of the greatest "films" ever made by the master of film, but I wanted more of that stealth samurai action we all crave to see. For me I only saw it once in that movie. Remember that samurai towards the beginning that had a duel in the field? That guy was my favorite. That was the only scene, that one slice, that gave me the "stealthness". I'm sure there's other chambara films out there that I would love, but this one is the best so far. It's also so cool because it gives the awesome character at the same time. I don't want to see some boring actor swing a sword fast! If you like film, great movies, and realistic action, go for it... "The first in a classic series!"I spent many an idle Friday evening while I attended graduate school watching Japanese chambara films at the Francis Parker school in Chicago, where they showed two such epics for a multi-national audience. While the films were rarely subtitled, it made little difference. The dialogue can be deduced from watching the movie and it's not why you watch Zatoichi. The joys of this series are the incredible fight scenes, as the Blind Swordsman takes on all foes using his cane sword. These movies are the westerns of Japan. Don't come looking for a meaningful plot or deep messages. Just sit back and watch the fastest swordsman around deliver flashing vengeance! Highly recommended! "Great Series"No matter how many times I watch this, its still as good as ever! "Great Samurai Story & Series"I really appreciate Home Vision Entertainments production of the Zatoichi movie series. Each release has been an excellent presentation of Zatoichi. As a Japenese Samurai Movie fan I think that this series of DVD's is the best. The character of Zatoichi is very compelling and each story helps you identify with this Blind Swordsman who is always trying to do good for others. The examples of Japenese culture during this time period is very beautiful and detailed. Shintaro Katsu displays a wide range of emotions as Zatoichi and his display of swordmanship is excellent. "Beautiful cinematography; Amazing Choreography"The over 20 films Zatoichi films comprise arguably the most beautiful film series ever made. Every frame is a work of art. If you like moral ambiguity look elsewhere. The plots are simple but classic fables (i.e.: "fabulous"). Zatoichi, the humble blind masseur, is a 15th century Columbo amiably bumbling along, and is played with great skill by Shintaro Katsu in all films. But when a band of villains threatens some damsel, watch out, as Zatoichi pulls the sword from inside his walking cane. Blind but sensing all movement around him, he becomes a whirling dervish of lethal steel. No villain ever survives, though actual blood is rarely seen. |
