The Tale of Zatoichi

– The adventures of a blind, gambling masseur and master swordsman. Zatoichi targets a yakuza-controll..

Type:
Movie
Rating:
7.70 / 10
Duration:
One Hour and 36 Minutes
Release Year:
1962
Original Name:
座頭市物語 (Zatôichi monogatari)
The Tale of Zatoichi (1962) - Also known as 座頭市物語 (Zatôichi monogatari)

The adventures of a blind, gambling masseur and master swordsman. Zatoichi targets a yakuza-controlled village, because war with a neighbouring town's smaller gang is brewing.

Story Timeline:
Producing Country:
Filming Locations:

The Tale of Zatoichi (1962) - Trailer

Release Date:

18 Apr 1962

Language:

Japanese

MPAA Content-Rating:
Not Rated

Director:

Kenji Misumi

Writer:

Minoru Inuzuka (screenplay), Kan Shimozawa (short story)

Main Actors:

Shintarô Katsu, Masayo Banri, Ryûzô Shimada, Hajime Mitamura

Plot:

An impoverished blind masseur becomes a mercenary swordsman, to gain basic respect. The first of novelist Kan Shimozawa's Zatoichi series: 26 films, a TV series and a play, all but two starring controversial singer/producer/director Shintaro Katsu. First of six Zatoichi films directed by Kenji Misumi. The shrewd Zatoichi targets a yakuza-controlled village, because war with a neighboring town's smaller gang is brewing. The broke ex-masseur "Ichi" immediately wins big, by taking advantage of local bakuto's cheating, after they scoff at his asking to join a dice game. The larger horde, who have been given carte blanche by the local governor, summoned Zatoichi. Zatoichi hates the fact that he's become an outlaw, so he strikes up a friendship with the other gang's honorable hired samurai, who has TB.

Awards:

1 nomination.

Production:

Criterion Collection

Ratings:
Internet Movie Database:
7.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes:
100%