Our take
This remake brought back the iconic blind swordsman a decade after disappearing from film, and like his previous stints, it’s entertaining and action-packed. It’s cool to see bad guys taken unaware by Zatoichi’s unassuming demeanor. It’s exciting to see Takeshi Kitano take on the mantle from the late Shintaro Katsu, and fight for the oppressed town he’s visiting. This time, however, the 2003 remake takes on a lot more fun. Adding to the Western-esque drama and Japanese chanbara, the 2003 remake brings in more energy, more CGI experimentation, and more humor– emphasizing the mostly serious character’s more playful deceptions and lighthearted interactions with the people he’s protecting. Beat Takeshi only had this one stab at the franchise, but The Blind Swordsman: Zatoichi is certainly fun, and certainly well-made.
Streaming arrival
What it won
Venice
5 wins
European Film Awards
1 nom
The story
Blind traveler Zatoichi is a master swordsman and a masseur with a fondness for gambling on dice games. When he arrives in a village torn apart by warring gangs, he sets out to protect the townspeople.
Blind traveler Zatoichi is a master swordsman and a masseur with a fondness for gambling on dice games. When he arrives in a village torn apart by warring gangs, he sets out to protect the townspeople.
Who picked it
Isabella Endrinal is a curator at A Good Movie to Watch. She's now free from the corporate night shift. Previous articles have been published in outlets such as NANG Magazine. She's currently catching up on some classic films… if she isn't coping with the fact that the Haikyu anime will end soon.
