Zatoichi the Blind Swordsman, Vol. 3

Amazon.com

Masseur Ichi, the blind master swordsman who became a cultural phenomenon under the gentle touch of Shintaro Katsu, finds you can't go home again in the first color film of the long-running adventure series. Redemption waits just out of reach when his old master's sister offers herself to the humble hero, but his corrupt master (who has thrown his lot in with a local gang of bandits) will have none of it. The hearty reunion turns sour and a showdown is inevitable. Quieter and calmer than the previous films, this entry emphasizes the metamorphosis of Ichi from jovial scoundrel to tragic hero while still delivering the short, swift swordfights that highlight the series. Ichi's reluctance to enter battle is matched only by his fierce, fatal attack: a fight with Ichi rarely lasts more than a single searing stroke. The fold-out insert features trivia and a recap of previous films. --Sean Axmaker

Description

With more killer swordsmanship, romance and action packed drama, the Blind Swordsman is back in the first color episode of the Zatoichi series. Masseur Ichi returns to his home village to discover that the teacher who trained him has been hiring out his skills with the sword to a ruthless gang of kidnappers. Meanwhile the mentor's sister offers herself in marriage to our hero who must decline on account of his many enemies and the danger that would bring to any woman Ichi was known to love.

Customer Reviews:

#3: A CLASSIC ZATOICHI EPISODE.......2006-09-05

This 3rd entry of the Zatoichi series is also the first color episode. It is also a classic, in my opinion. This film opens up with a tie-in to the 2nd Zatoichi episode. Zatoichi has killed Kenbei [in episode #2], and Kenbei's loyalists are out to avenge the death of their boss by seeking to kill Ichi. Kenbei's brother is the leader of these avenging loyalist's, and in a twist, he is an ethical member of the yakuza. He believes in the Bushido code. Quite a departure from the usual "bad-guys" Ichi runs into.

Also in this episode is Ichi's sensei, Banno: The man who taught Zatoichi his skills. However, the sensei is a changed man. This is not the honorable sensei and mentor that Ichi recalls. Banno has lost whatever honor he once had; and his interaction with Ichi is sad to watch. Ironically, the yakuza after him have more honor than Ichi's former mentor. Quite a switch from the usual Zatoichi fare. Tokuzo Tanaka, who directed this film, did an outstanding job with the characters in this film. Moreover, Banno's sister, Yayoi, has fallen in love with Ichi. And Ichi loves her.

Therefore, Ichi ask's his former sensei for her hand in marriage. This causes resentment with Banno, who scoffs at Ichi. Truly a sad episode for Ichi. Banno, the antagonist in the film, and Ichi, the protagonist will clash. But will it lead to a sword duel? And what about the ethical and upstanding brother of Kenbei? Will he duel Ichi? Or will he forgive the blind swordsman? This film is an outstanding Zatoichi episode. Will Yayoi and Ichi stay together?

Banno betrays everyone around him, and as a master-swordsman who trains pupils in this episode: they too are used as objects to be discarded at the whim of this most dishonorable man. One of the pupils in particular is Kingo. The betrayal Banno mete's out to this pupil is the final straw for Ichi. The cane-sword weilding Ichi will tolerate no more. It is time for action. The entire film is great. Cinematography, music, colors, and the plot. A truly outstanding film. Highly recommended. [Stars: 5+]

"zato, zato, that is what they call me".......2006-07-23

So I love it how Z galways gambles, always has something to do with some woman, but I wish that he would sing every movie. Thet is just one of the many highlights oif this film. The first real Zatoichi movie I saw was Chest of Gold(#7) and I was gonna give this a 4/5 cause it didn't have as much action as that. But after watching the very first movie before this, I have to give it a 5. There is plenty of action. Not the best I have ever seen, but it is pretty good for the first ever color Zatoichi film. The subtitles that you read on the screen are poetry and the images are much more than I can describe. The conflict going on is serious and had me wondering what Z was gonna do the whole way.

He comes into town to see his old master. What happens from there is one of those cases where you know what is gonna happnen, but you just wanna see exactly how it plays out. I have to force myself not to give anything away but even though I would rank this the third best out of three of these movies I have seen, it was certainly the best story overall. Ichi lives by the Yukuza code and doesn't take nothin from nobody. And if he does there is a reason for it, trust me. I know I have said it on my other reviews of these, but these are truly some of the best movies I have ever seen.

I still have to see # 2 in the series but you can tell that they stepped up the action greatly from the first film to this one and I can't wait until I get later into the series:)

For the first color Zatoichi movie the picture is more than good and I dare you to find a better release of this movie than Home Video Entertainment has.

Better Subtitles.......2004-10-13

The 3rd volume of the Zatoichi series of movies continues where the last one left off. Zatoichi returns home and meets up with his old sensei. However, his homecoming is marred by the fact that the brother of one of the men Zatoichi had to kill previously wants revenge. To make matters worse, his sensei's sister wishes to marry Zatoichi, but the way of the sword may prove to be greater than love.

The translation quality of the third volume is improved over the previous two movies. As such, some Japanese honorifics make it into the subtitles and rather than translate Japanese words for brother/sister into character names, they are translated as brother/sister. So that's a big improvement. I hope this trend continues in the next movies.

As for the movie, it is another good one. I'm normally not a fan of old movies, but there is just something about this samurai series that I really enjoy. Shintarou Katsu does a fantastic job as Zatoichi. The sword work is really something to see.

Bottom line: I really recommend this title for fans of samurai anime titles or who are interested in Japanese culture. If you are looking for a pretty good action/adventure flick with a bit of romance (similar to old American westerns), then this may be the title for you.

Zatoichi #3.......2002-11-03

I really appreciate Home Vision Entertainments production of the Zatoichi movie series. Each release has been an excellent presentation of Zatoichi. As a Japenese Samurai Movie fan I think that this series of DVD's is the best. The character of Zatoichi is very compelling and each story helps you identify with this Blind Swordsman who is always trying to do good for others. The examples of Japenese culture during this time period is very beautiful and detailed. Shintaro Katsu displays a wide range of emotions as Zatoichi and his display of swordmanship is excellent.

Another good zatoichi film.......2001-10-29

Man what can I say. This is the fourth Zatoichi film I have ordered and it was just as good as the others. In this one he meets his old fencing teacher, but hey I don't want to spoil the plot for anyone. Suffice it to say these are great movies. Well acted and filmed with some incredible choreography in the sword fights. If you like martial arts films or like westerns where a lone guy brings justice to the wicked you will like these movies.
And these movies are well made they are not those cheap chinese kung fu flicks, but well produced and acted films. They are Japanese films and of much higher quality.Try one you will like it.

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