Rating: 
Summary: Be warned!
Review: First things first, for those that are concerned (and I'm sure you will be as I was), Toshiro Mifune is NOT playing the Yojimbo character from the Kurosawa movies. The title is purely a cash-in, though I'm not sure if it is for the modern Western market or the original title translates as such and was designed to con the Japanese market. The only other film I know of where Mifune genuinely plays the Yojimbo character is "Ambush at Blood Pass" which was the film the both actors completed after this one. In all respects, this is a bad film sadly. It has a few nice moments but its clear this was a commercial venture utilising the two most famous male Japanese actors and characters at the time. In all honesty, I know little about the Zatoichi character, but imagine that the original film must be far superior to this. I couldn't really recommend this film to anyone unless you're a hardcore fan of Japanese Cinema or of the two actors. There are many, many better films of the genre to choose from. Even "Ambush at Blood Pass" which is not a great film is still significantly superior to this one. "Zatoichi versus Yojimbo", like many Japanese films of the time seems confused over what audience its aiming at. The result is an unsatisfactory soup of part comedy, part slasher, part period drama, part morality tale which limps from moment to moment. As said previously, some of these scenes are nice in themselves, but the overall effect is somewhat bland with some scenes almost cringe-worthy. For the uninitiated, always try a Kurosawa film first, if not (and you are interested in Samurai films from an historical perspective) then you may prefer to look at the films of Mizoguchi or Kobyashi. If you just want to see a good samurai flick with Mifune in it, then you may want to look at films such as "Red Lion", "Samurai Assassin" or "Samurai Banners" which are more rounded films and are currently available. As said, I don't know much about Zatoichi, but I would imagine the original and early films are better than this one and worth the effort. Still, I hope this proves useful, it would have saved me money!
Rating: 
Summary: Z meets Y = Samurai Respect
Review: I found this movie to be a very well made entry into the Samurai Genre in general and Toshiro Mifune's recurring, hard-drinking, crafty, and irrascible "Yohimbo" character. Not to disrespect Katsu Shintaro, who very deftly played the Blind swordsman Zato-ichi, I'm more of a Mifune fan since I have yet to see any other actor bring a comparable presence to a Samurai flick. His dominance of personality and fighting skill is second to none, as it's pretty difficult to have both qualities in such abundance. He doesn't carry this movie, but he really doesn't have to since it's story line with its' twists and turns and comedic points are real good. It's very cool to see how Zatoichi and Yohimbo's relationship gradually developes and evolves to where they both respect each other while showing great disdain for what the other character is all about. But that still doesn't keep them from going at it in the end.
Ultimately, as Samurai flicks go, it's an artful look into the Samurai world. It's very reminiscent of a well-made western from European culture, Although Eastern culture, to me, is much more profound. Their Samurai movies are more grounded in spiritual and moral issues. That's the key factor in determining the overall enjoyability of a movie. And this one was definitely that - As well as being a lot of fun.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent Movie
Review: I loved this movie and found it very entertaining. I don't know what the other reviewer was griping about but Toshiro Mifune's character was very much like his hard drinking, money grubbing of a samurai in Yojimbo. The performance of both lead actors was enough to keep me watching the entire movie with total interest.
Rating:
Summary: Samurai movie fan must see.
Review: If your a Toshiro Mifune fan or a Shintaro Katsu fan this movie will be entertaining. If you happen to be both, like myself, you'll find it fascinating.Comparing this film to the likes of Yojimbo, Aka Hige, or The 7 Samurai isn't really appropriate. It would be like Classic American Western to Spaghetti Western, both are western genre but not really comparable. Toshiro Mifune (the bodyguard) and Shintaro Katsu (the blind masseur Ichi) hook up as opportunists playing two yakusa syndicates against each other. Does this sound familiar? The predictable theme and general story line lets the really subtle relationship build between Ichi and the Yojimbo. It evolves to be a bit more complex and fun than the typical Japanese morality play.
Rating:
Summary: Samurai movie fan must see.
Review: If your a Toshiro Mifune fan or a Shintaro Katsu fan this movie will be entertaining. If you happen to be both, like myself, you'll find it fascinating. Comparing this film to the likes of Yojimbo, Aka Hige, or The 7 Samurai isn't really appropriate. It would be like Classic American Western to Spaghetti Western, both are western genre but not really comparable. Toshiro Mifune (the bodyguard) and Shintaro Katsu (the blind masseur Ichi) hook up as opportunists playing two yakusa syndicates against each other. Does this sound familiar? The predictable theme and general story line lets the really subtle relationship build between Ichi and the Yojimbo. It evolves to be a bit more complex and fun than the typical Japanese morality play.
Rating:
Summary: entertaining for the Toshiro Mifune/Samurai flick fan
Review: Not your typical action movie. Fights scenes aren't spectacular but enjoyable. Must be able to pay attention to the not-so-obvious plot advancing scenes. If you are into Toshiro Mifune/Samurai movie, you will enjoy this long but entertaining movie
Rating:
Summary: Great DVD of a fun movie!
Review: This DVD is absolutely worth getting! The picture quality is fantastic and the movie is fun too. Katsu Shintaro turns in his usualy good performance as Zatoichi, and Toshiro Mifune is always fun to watch, especially in roles similar to Yojimbo. This DVD has some good extras, great video, and good audio. Add all that to a good film, and there's no reason not to buy this DVD!
Rating:
Summary: The Best of the Best
Review: This is like the epic of the Zatoichi series, the blind swordsman movie to end all blind swordsman movies, even though there are still a few to come. With not only the most complex plot of any I have watched, it is very very deep in character developement, due to the many characters involved. The most imposing of characters is the mighty Toshiro Mifune reprising his role as Yojimbo (The Bodyguard). With Japan's two most famous Samurai colliding in one classic movie, you just can't go wrong. The interaction between the two is usually hilarious, as they are sometimes friends and sometimes enemies. I guess I would agree the story is basically more about Yojimbo, but the movie as usual is Master Ichi doing his unbelievable antics. The story revolves around two warring factions and a cache of hidden gold. One faction is led by the elder leader of this village, and the other is led by his evil Son. The Son hires Yojimbo in the conflict, and the Father hires Ichi. But nothing is really as it appears, as all is revealed in the classic moralistic climax. This is the longest of the Zatoichi series I believe, with a running time of nearly two hours. This is a huge story, and it never ever gets boring, as the two Samurai play against each other until the end. If I had to recommend ONE and ONLY ONE Samurai movie excluding "The Seven Samurai", from all the ones I have seen, it would be this movie.
Rating: 
Summary: READ THIS!! This is what you looking for!!!!!!!!!!
Review: This Zatoichi movie is not THAT good.
I'll tell you why:
Good:
* Good cinematoghraphy.
* Cool snow scenes.
* Cool short fight at the begining.
* Thank god!! this movie cost 20$ instead of 30$.
Bad:
* Bad and short fight between Toshiro Mifune and Zatoichi!!
* Zatoichi have to fight with his sword broken apart all the time.
* There is a fight when Zatoichi use only his swordcane intead of his blade.
* Zatoichi's movements were not that fast.
* Most of the movie is blah,blah,blah and there is not much action!
Adios!
Rating:
Summary: Amazing and well done
Review: You have to be in a position to appreciate good well directed cinema and acting that will pull you in to a movie. This Hollywood blow em up action packed thriller is the only thing that can stimulate your mind then you will not appreciate this movie. The way that Shintaro Katsu can create a genre roll that you can feel so deeply for a character is a lost art in this day and age. Of course you will have to appreciate Samurai movies and the way thay they were done back then with the "Chambara stye" you have to love the way that all the many many Zatoichi movis are put together. WELL DONE!
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