Zatôichi kenka-daiko (1968)'s comments

Do you want to let us know what you think? Just login, after which you will be redirected back here and you can leave your comments.

nbats

https://youtu.be/hrdNbcJR5x4

1 year 10 months ago

There's no denying that 19 films deep, the Zatoichi franchise has some repetitive elements - namely, crooked yakuza, gambling sequences, maidens sold into indentured servitude to rescue, and climactic battles with cocky samurai - but in Samaritan Zatoichi, at least, I feel like they still find new wrinkles, and I am still watching eagerly. A yakuza massacre happens very quickly in this one, and the theme is that of the immense responsibility Ichi feels towards his victims' loved ones. In this case, that's a man's sister who the evil boss wants to force into debt so he can gift her to a local magistrate as a bribe. She and Ichi thus have a complicated relationship since he is both her brother's killer and her protector. In terms of set pieces, there are a number of new bits, like Ichi on a horse, or fighting from inside a straw mat, or a comedy bit involving disguises, but also what might be the longest duel he's had with a swordsman who wants the girl for himself. The Zatoichi films are formulaic, sure, but there is some play within that formula, and part of the formula is strong cinematography.

3 years 8 months ago