The tale of zatoichi released in 1962 would begin a 20 plus film franchise starring shintaro katus as the blind masseuse, gambler, and master swordsman. With its lightningfast swordplay, sleightofhand dice games, and codes of honor upheld and betrayed, this first chapter sets the stage for all the zatoichi adventures to come. The tale of zatoichi continues letterboxd your life in film. Taking place roughly a year after the first film, the tale of zatoichi continues is shorter, more action packed, and even more melodramatic than its predecessor. The criterion collections zatoichi the blind swordsman is an impressive set that presents the 25 films that debuted from 1962 to 1973 in the longestrunning action series in japanese cinema. That includes yakuza gangsters, plenty of gambling, and usually a woman.
Culminating in what i believe to be the most intricate, thrilling, and enormous climax of any of the first six films that ive watched thus far, zatoichi the fugitive not only continues the high bar of quality from the first three films, but might even be my favorite of the first six. Although by the end of the film zatoichis background is still shrouded in mystery, the story is tight enough that you feel satisfied. Zatoichi film is as good as that film was, even if the end scene is too abrupt, although it also shows just how quickly and efficiently zatoichi fights. A denser and more action packed sequel to the previous and first zatoichi film, the tale of zatoichi continues is a solid and fast moving action film that picks up exactly one year after the. Here, zatoichi is hired to give a massage to a powerful political official who, he discovers, is mentally illa secret that the noblemans retinue is determined to keep at any cost. And, again, if you dont have a hulu plus account but are interested in. He managed to direct an incredibly brisk film when tasked with filming the tale of zatoichi continues. The tale of zatoichi, directed by kenji misumi, is the first film of a classic japanese samurai drama saga starring shintaro katsu as zatoichi, a character c. The film is a revival of the classic zatoichi series of samurai film and television dramas. A list of 26 films compiled on letterboxd, including the tale of zatoichi 1962, the tale of zatoichi continues 1962, new tale of zatoichi 1963, zatoichi the fugitive 1963 and zatoichi on the road 1963. Edit inspired by jared miles, the tale of zatoichi continues 1962 movie scenes used. In japanese w english subtitles the last zatoichi movie i uploaded was the masseuse first. The set contains the twentyfive films making up the 1962 to 1973 run of zatoichi films, all starring shintaro katsu as the titular character.
The tale of zatoichi is the first in a long series of movies around twentysix in the series, of the adventures of zatoichi, a blind masseur, who also happens to be a master swordsman. The discovery of a feudal lords secret puts the blind swordsmanmasseurs life in danger. As tensions mount between rival yakuza clans, one boss hires a formidable but ailing ronin as his clans musclewhile the other employs a humble, moral blind masseur named ichi. The tale of zatoichi, is a great film, introducing us to one of japanese cinemas most recognised characters. Now its the first color movie of the blind swordsman. An impoverished blind masseur becomes a mercenary swordsman, to gain basic respect. The tale of zatoichi continues was the second film in the series released in 1962 starring shintaru katsu in the lead as zatoichi. Released 1962, the tale of zatoichi continues stars shintaro katsu, yoshie mizutani, masayo mari, tomisaburo wakayama the movie has a runtime of about 1 hr 12 min, and received a score of out. Blind swordsman masseur zatoichi is pursued by the retainers of a lord who fear that he will reveal a secret weakness of their master. Select any poster below to play the movie, totally free. A list of the zatoichi films in chronological order. The best martial arts movie series youve never heard of. The tale of zatoichi continues is, in a way, a film about guilt and regret. The film was followedup with the tale of zatoichi continues in 1962.
Zatoichi the tale of zatoichi continues dvd, 2002 for. Zatoichi 8 fight, zatoichi, fight vincent hedan magic. Shin zatoichi monogatari is a japanese film, the third entry from the popular zatoichi series completing the trilogy. The tale of zatoichi continues 1962 the criterion collection. The tale of zatoichi a journal of film and popular culture. In those moments we, the audience, have been able to see it with them, making us. Sep 16, 2015 after the second film in the series, the tale of zatoichi continues 1962, was not much more than a hurriedly filmed throwaway sequel to cash in on the success of the first film, daiei shifted down gears to further develop the personality of the eponymous blind gambler in this third entry. Zatoichi in desperation, the previous directorial effort of the man himself, showed a visual flare and atmosphere completely unique to the series, and he seems to be building on it here. Also sign me up for fanmail to get updates on all things movies. The rare sequel that equals the accomplishments of the original, if not surpasses them. The first film introduces all the major elements that would be used in the following movies. New tale of zatoichi might be the best, worstnamed film i have ever seen.
Its the mood, atmosphere, and attitude that make the zatoichi movies so damn cool. The film begins with zatoichi using his cunning and his disability to his advantage, as. Zatoichi, zatoichi is a fictional character featured in one of japans longestrunning series of films and a television series that are both set during the late edo period 1830s and 1840s. The tale of zatoichi and tale of zatoichi continues. The films that feature him are variously pulse pounding, hilarious, stirring and completely offthewall. This second zatoichi film picks up the pace, featuring bigger action sequences, tighter plotting, and a mysterious one.
We take a dive into the whopping 25film bluray release of zatoichi. Made to capitalise on the unexpected success of the tale of zatoichi 1962, the imaginatively titled the tale of zatoichi continues sees the blind masseur katsu making his way back to sasagawa, to honour the promise he made in the first movie, to make an annual pilgrimage to the grave of master hirate, the ailing samurai he fought and killed. New tale of zatoichi akfilmfan it starts off like a regular zatoichi film, then this 3rd entry in the series introduces his master, excellent drama, and a conflict zatoichi who is torn between who he is and who he wants to be. The tale of zatoichi continues 1962 aka zoku zatoichi. The character, a blind masseur and blademaster, was created by novelist kan shimozawa. A well executed combination of comedy, thrilling fights and drama. The last zatoichi movie i uploaded was the masseuse first. Though the character is yet to fully realise his fighting abilities as. These films had a variety of accomplished directors behind the camera, but they always starred shintaro katsu 19311997 in the role of the titular, blind and wandering masseur with a penchant for gambling, sake, and slicing up of bad guys.
Expertly written and directed and perfectly cast this film casts a slow burn spell on. The colors and soundtrack are for the most part, exceptionally well done and do so much for the mood. The film starred shintaro katsu, so there was clearly some familiarity between the two men. Return of masseur ichi, the 1962 out of 4 blind masseur zatoichi shintaro katsu discovers the weakness of a lord and must fight off various assassins who fear he will give away that secret. This is another excellent entry in what appears to be a phenomenal run of films. The first of novelist kan shimozawas zatoichi series. As recounted in the tale of zatoichi continues 1962, he once fell in love with a woman who rejected him for another man, a man whom zatoichi subsequently killed. As this iconic figure, the charismatic and earthy shintaro katsu became an instant superstar, lending a largerthanlife presence to the thrilling adventures of a man who. The tale of zatoichi continues is the second entry in the popular, longrunning zatoichi series. First of six zatoichi films directed by kenji misumi. The first three sequels the tale of zatoichi continues 1962.
Dec 27, 2019 after nearly settling down to domestic life with a good woman in 1963s new tale of zatoichi by tozuka tanaka, our hero ichi now finds himself dodging bounty hunters and getting stuck between warring yakuza in zatoichi the fugitive, the second zatoichi film of 1963 which is also directed by tanaka. This one also features tomisaburo wakayama who would become famous for portraying ogami itto in the lone wolf and cub series, and was katsus real life older brother. It was originally released by the daiei motion picture company later acquired by kadokawa pictures zatoichi s revenge is the tenth episode in the 26part film series devoted to the character of zatoichi. Radicule ursidaes please check him out for quality beats. The tale of zatoichi continues 1962 thedullwoodexperiment. Thus it is a more quiet and subdued creature in this respect. Zatoichi and the chess expert, zatoichi jigokutabi kenji misumi 1965 kenji misumi, who directed the first installment of the zatoichi series, returns with this tale in which the blind swordsman once again finds himself the protector of a child.
Together the two films form a sort of diptych, not just picking up and resolving plot lines but mirroring themes in a way that deepens both films. The tale of zatoichi 1962 the criterion collection. This week was a decent week of movie watching for me as i saw lee daniels the butler and kickass 2 in theaters and at home watched the tale of zatoichi and the tale of zatoichi continues and will be finishing new tale of zatoichi and watching short term 12 later today. Zato is the lowest rank for a blind person and ichi is his name. With the vibrant opening image of a crackling fire, the zatoichi series is thrust into the world of color for the first time. The blind masseur and swordsman, zatoichi, learns of a powerful political figures secret and is. This deluxe set features the string of twentyfive zatoichi films made between 1962 and 1973. This was a pretty interesting samurai film from director kazuo mori, which relies a lot on fantasy but most of all is just all action and nice swordplay. The tale of zatoichi was released in japan on april 12, 1962. Masseur ichi enters again, the blind swordsmans return is the third film in the series. Kenji misumi is back as a director, akira ifukube is back as a composer, and they produced one of the best film of the saga. Tony rayns on the meaning of zatoichi asiancinema expert tony rayns unpacks the significance of zatoichi s name and the strict social hierarchy that the character so gleefully upends. While the tale of zatoichi went on to inspire and give life to a long series of films that sum up zatoichi and his life and adventures, the film was a little slow at times as it had to develop.
As tensions mount between rival yakuza clans, one boss hires a formidable but ailing ronin as his clans muscle, while the other employs a humble, moral blind masseur named ichi. The first two of 17 installments in a sterling new video and dvd series, the tale of zatoichi and the tale of zatoichi continues set his irresistible mythos into motion, with simple stories and swift action scenes that capture the spirit of oldfashioned serial adventures. The tale of zatoichi continues 1962 directed by kazuo mori. The film summoned the most sequels of a samurai film.
New tale continues a theme in these films, that of zatoichis tragic love life. Zatoichi may be quick with the sword, but the girininjo conflict brewing within him is a slow death that he may never be able to conquer. This deluxe set features the string of twentyfive zatoichi films made between 1962 and 1973, collected in one package for the. The tale of zatoichi is the introduction to zatoichi, a blind yakuza swordsman with a code of honor. The tale of zatoichi continues zoku zatoichi monogatari. He spends his time wandering from town to town, offering his services as a masseur and generally helping those who cant help themselves with his sword skills.
The first of the series in color, this tale is not so much an entirely new tale as it is a. Primarily for my own reference as i make my way through the films but may be useful to others also taking the. If you dont make the first move i cant see you, he tells one of his opponents during a fight. The tale of zatoichi continues 12oct1962 original title. The final duel between the two men is emotionally stirring and perfectly sets the. All the trademark elements of the series are in place.
The zatoichi series, like most all chambara films, are set during the tokugawa period. Jan 14, 2018 edit inspired by jared miles, the tale of zatoichi continues 1962 movie scenes used. A better name for this film would be zatoichi deals with loneliness and post duel depression. The film is the first zatoichi film to be in colour. Most of the series has no set order, but the first few films followed a. Dec 29, 2015 the third entry in the series, new tale of zatoichi may contain a higher body count than its two predecessors, but do not be mistaken. Zatoichi, zatoichi released in the us as the blind swordsman.
On the road with zatoichi the current the criterion. Zatoichi is a 2003 japanese samurai dramaaction film, directed, written, coedited by and starring takeshi kitano beat takeshi in his 11th directorial venture. The second film, the tale of zatoichi continues, appeared later in 1962 though the story is set almost exactly a year after the first one. In the same film, he meets another woman, the illfated otane, who likewise in zatoichi the fugitive betrays him, even as zatoichi persists in refusing to credit her betrayal.
The tale of zatoichi continues the tale of zatoichi proved so popular that a followup went into production the same year. Far from being a typical samurai movie, zatoichi monogatari is an unusually somber yet effective period drama, and probably the best entry in the long series it inaugurated. Not really bad, just underwhelming, besides its bleak tone and some decent swordfights. Returning to the village where a year before he had killed hirate, a muchadmired opponent, zatoichi encounters another swordsman and former rival in love. The tale of zatoichi continues 1962 your life in film. Enter your location to see which movie theaters are playing the tale of zatoichi continues near you. The script presents some splendid ideas, but fails to fully expand on some of these. Zatoichi, japans most popular cinematic hero, starred in over 25 feature films from 1962 through 1973. The colossally popular zatoichi films make up the longestrunning action series in japanese history and created one of the screens great heroes. The tale of zatoichi proved so popular that a followup went into production the same year.
Wander with us as we marvel at the tales of zatoichi. Blind swordsmanmasseur zatoichi is pursued by the retainers of a lord who fear that he will reveal a secret weakness of their master. After the second film in the series, the tale of zatoichi continues. This is much closer to what i always assumed the zatoichi movies were like, leaner and meaner than the first movie but somehow lacking none of its elegiac power. With zatoichi its introduction in this third film becomes deliciously ironic, since in the first two films there have been several japes different people play on ichi because hes blind. The zatoichi series is the longest running action series in japanese film. However, the film gains importance as the first completely routine entry in the series. Director kenji misumi made every scene look like a panel of manga, misumi, took its time with every scene, he never rush any conversation, he let the film breath so i could admire the beautiful black and white cinematography that outdoors. The tale of zatoichi continues is a quiet breather installment after the last one ended so bleakly. Kazuo mori would go on to direct a few more zatoichi films and the tv show, and eventually the third instalment of the daimaijin kaiju series. This one is less action oriented and instead decides to put the focus on backstory. The first of the series in color, this tale is not so much an entirely new tale as it is a continuation of what has been the saga of ramifications zatoichi faces for his actions. The tale of zatoichi continues is a 1962 japanese film directed by kazuo mori and starring shintaro katsu as zatoichi the blind swordsman, a character created.
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