(aka "Zatoichi Sekisho-Yaburi" )
directed by Kimiyoshi Yasuda
Japan 1964
By the time 1964's Adventures of Zatoichi hits theater, the series is
in full swing. Katsu Shintaro is at home in the lead role, playing Ichi
the blind masseur/master swordsman, Ichi-mania is sweeping Japan, and
the series becomes a certified blockbuster (this, the ninth installment
of the series, was the fourth Zatoichi film made that year). Life is
good for Daiei pictures and everyone involved.
By this point, the series had developed an almost comforting sort of
familiarity—Zatoichi wanders into a new town, finds corruption (usually
in the form of local yakuza or politicians), and winds up embroiled
despite his desire to generally steer clear of trouble. All of this
leads to an inevitable showdown wherein the masseur will draw his lethal
cane sword and kill hordes of evildoers—all before moving on to his next
adventure. Occasionally, he finds a woman—although he's destined to
never find lasting romantic involvement.
These concessions to familiarity are part of what makes Adventures of
Zatoichi so interesting. For while all the standard narrative tropes are
present and accounted for in this outing (lots of bad guys led by an
evil intendant, a pretty young woman who needs Ichi's help, and lots of
swordplay), this also marks something of a new direction for the series.
out
of 
Posters from the Series
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Theatrical Release: December 30, 1964
Reviews More Reviews DVD Reviews
DVD Review: Home Vision Entertainment - Region 1 - NTSC
Big thanks to Donald Brown for the Review!
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| Distribution |
Home Vision Entertainment Region 1 - NTSC |
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| Runtime | 1:25:45 | |
| Video |
2.30:1 Original Aspect Ratio
16X9 enhanced |
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NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes. |
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| Audio | Japanese - Dolby Digital 2.0 | |
| Subtitles | English, none | |
| Features |
Release Information: Studio: Home Vision Entertainment Aspect Ratio:
Edition Details:
Chapters 19 |
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| Comments |
There are only a few instances of dust
or print damage, and while the color is slightly faded, the film
looks fine overall. Film grain looks natural, sharpness and
accutance are good. Compression is excellent, with no apparent
artifacting. The audio track is clear, subtitles are optional and legible. The overall presentation is comparable with that of the other discs in the series, and there's no reason a Zatoichi fan should be disappointed. |
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| DVD Box Cover |
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CLICK to order from:
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| Distribution |
Home Vision Entertainment Region 1 - NTSC |
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