Rating: 
Summary: Absolutely Beautiful
Review: In today's age, there are so many martial arts movies that glorify the killing, and little of the rest of the package that makes up a martial artist. In my opinion, this film surpassed all my expectations. The emotional depth of this film went far beyond the uninvolving MA films of later generations. I truly enjoyed the sub plots of the movie - especially the friendship that developed between Zatoichi and the man that was supposed to be his enemy, Master Hirata.
I recommend this highly to any person who wants to expand their martial arts library.
Rating:
Summary: Great Series
Review: No matter how many times I watch this, its still as good as ever!
Rating:
Summary: Janus does it again!
Review: The first Zatoichi film I ever saw was "Zatoichi vs. Yojimbo" and it left me feeling biased to the older, B/W films as well as stuck on "Seven Samurai". Like a number of other "samurai" pics, this isn't just slash and rip non-stop mayhem- there's a story going on here. I would compare this first in the series to the story in "Yojimbo" where two sides are being played against each other, and in Zatoichi's case there's another swordsman whose skill and respect is thrown into the equation. Shintaro Katsu exudes a quirky air of dangerous skill mixed with worldly determination, and plays blind convincingly. I bought this without having seen it already and I must say it was a pleasant surprise! There IS plenty of action, the pace doesn't necessarily lag on account of side-story, and Janus Films provides yet another beautifully restored widescreen print with clear and easy-to-read subtitles. This is a good buy for the price and I plan to get as many of the series as I can...
Rating:
Summary: Janus does it again!
Review: The first Zatoichi film I ever saw was "Zatoichi vs. Yojimbo" and it left me feeling biased to the older, B/W films as well as stuck on "Seven Samurai". Like a number of other "samurai" pics, this isn't just slash and rip non-stop mayhem- there's a story going on here. I would compare this first in the series to the story in "Yojimbo" where two sides are being played against each other, and in Zatoichi's case there's another swordsman whose skill and respect is thrown into the equation. Shintaro Katsu exudes a quirky air of dangerous skill mixed with worldly determination, and plays blind convincingly. I bought this without having seen it already and I must say it was a pleasant surprise! There IS plenty of action, the pace doesn't necessarily lag on account of side-story, and Janus Films provides yet another beautifully restored widescreen print with clear and easy-to-read subtitles. This is a good buy for the price and I plan to get as many of the series as I can...
Rating:
Summary: The movie that started one of the most successful series
Review: The one that started it all. Zatoichi (1962) is introduced. The temendous series that followed endeared the blind swordsman to the Japanese hearts. He is a wandering former Yakuza who had become a champion of the common man through his sense of justice and his deadly cane sword. His hightened senses allowed him to prevail with sword and dice alike. Classic Japanese Chambara - one against many - good against evil. Highly enjoyable and a very refreshing moral theme.
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful cinematography; Amazing Choreography
Review: The over 20 films Zatoichi films comprise arguably the most beautiful film series ever made. Every frame is a work of art.
If you like moral ambiguity look elsewhere. The plots are simple but classic fables (i.e.: "fabulous"). Zatoichi, the humble blind masseur, is a 15th century Columbo amiably bumbling along, and is played with great skill by Shintaro Katsu in all films. But when a band of villains threatens some damsel, watch out, as Zatoichi pulls the sword from inside his walking cane. Blind but sensing all movement around him, he becomes a whirling dervish of lethal steel. No villain ever survives, though actual blood is rarely seen.
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful cinematography; Amazing Choreography
Review: The over 20 films Zatoichi films comprise arguably the most beautiful film series ever made. Every frame is a work of art.
If you like moral ambiguity look elsewhere. The plots are simple but classic fables (i.e.: "fabulous"). Zatoichi, the humble blind masseur, is a 15th century Columbo amiably bumbling along, and is played with great skill by Shintaro Katsu in all films. But when a band of villains threatens some damsel, watch out, as Zatoichi pulls the sword from inside his walking cane. Blind but sensing all movement around him, he becomes a whirling dervish of lethal steel. No villain ever survives, though actual blood is rarely seen.
Rating: 
Summary: Nice Classic Samurai Movie
Review: This first DVD (movie) is the Japanese version of the classic American western. Zatoichi is a blind samurai who is a reluctant member of the yakuza. As such, he is hired by a local yakuza leader to fight in an upcoming war against another boss. The movie is interesting and Zatoichi is an interesting character. That said, there are a few problems. Some of the subplots don't work very well and seem to have been added to fill the movie. From the DVD, I was a bit disappointed with the subtitles. I won't say they are actually domesticated, but they aren't the best. So minor things end up being untranslated. Also, the translators decided that certain terms should just be given the character's name. For example, Zatoichi asks where a certain guy is and the Japanese lady says her "oniisan" (brother) has just stepped away. The translator decided that rather than say "My brother has just stepped away", to just use the brother's name. It may seem a minor point, but the female character is saying that the male character is her brother. That doesn't come across in the subtitles when the character's name is used. Also, the translator decided that when Zatoichi addressed the other samurai with the "-san" honorific, this meant "Master". Well, that's not what he said and not what he meant. Other characters addressed the same samurai with the "-san" honorific and that was ignored. This may be minor, but I like for the subtitles to be accurate yet readable. Bottom line: a nice, classic Japanese movie. Well worth spending time watching.
Rating:
Summary: Nice Classic Samurai Movie
Review: This first DVD (movie) is the Japanese version of the classic American western. Zatoichi is a blind samurai who is a reluctant member of the yakuza. As such, he is hired by a local yakuza leader to fight in an upcoming war against another boss. The movie is interesting and Zatoichi is an interesting character. That said, there are a few problems. Some of the subplots don't work very well and seem to have been added to fill the movie. From the DVD, I was a bit disappointed with the subtitles. I won't say they are actually domesticated, but they aren't the best. So minor things end up being untranslated. Also, the translators decided that certain terms should just be given the character's name. For example, Zatoichi asks where a certain guy is and the Japanese lady says her "oniisan" (brother) has just stepped away. The translator decided that rather than say "My brother has just stepped away", to just use the brother's name. It may seem a minor point, but the female character is saying that the male character is her brother. That doesn't come across in the subtitles when the character's name is used. Also, the translator decided that when Zatoichi addressed the other samurai with the "-san" honorific, this meant "Master". Well, that's not what he said and not what he meant. Other characters addressed the same samurai with the "-san" honorific and that was ignored. This may be minor, but I like for the subtitles to be accurate yet readable. Bottom line: a nice, classic Japanese movie. Well worth spending time watching.
Rating:
Summary: Samurai Classic
Review: This is not a chop socky film. This is not about gore, or magic, or even tons of martial arts action. But it is a great drama, about extraordinary men in extraordinary times. And yeah, not everybody lives.
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