Pre-Order The Blind Swordsman: Zatoichi (2003) (Blu-ray) Available for Preorder (1 Viewer)

[Ronald Epstein]

ARTWORK TBA

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[titch]

From Paramount, eh? This excellent Beat Takeshi samurai chapter in the long running series, previously issued on the Criterion box, has only been available on disastrous US and UK blu-rays - basically upscaled DVDs. If this is a new scan, it can only be a vast improvement. The film ends with an terrific musical number!

 

[Capt D McMars]

I'm sorry, but this is not at the level of the series or the character originated by Shintao Katsu. With a run of 25 films, great storylines, production and again sorry but once you see Katsu's Zatoichi, the 2003 is a pale ghost of a memory in compairison.
This 2003 venture is just a Bloody mess, in more ways than one. Squirting more blood than any one has in 20 bodies, more reminicent to a Shaw Bros production.
Do have the BD of this, yes, only because I'm a completeist. I enjoyed the film Ichi 2008 much more, with a storyline that suggested that Zatoichi had a blind daughter.

Anyone that was introduced to the original persona of Zatoichi back in the 60s, it it like someone trying to impersonate John Wayne or Clint Eastwood...just falls short.

 

[dana martin]

I'm sorry, but this is not at the level of the series or the character originated by Shintao Katsu. With a run of 25 films, great storylines, production and again sorry but once you see Katsu's Zatoichi, the 2003 is a pale ghost of a memory in compairison.
This 2003 venture is just a Bloody mess, in more ways than one. Squirting more blood than any one has in 20 bodies, more reminicent to a Shaw Bros production.
Do have the BD of this, yes, only because I'm a completeist. I enjoyed the film Ichi 2008 much more, with a storyline that suggested that Zatoichi had a blind daughter.

Anyone that was introduced to the original persona of Zatoichi back in the 60s, it it like someone trying to impersonate John Wayne or Clint Eastwood...just falls short.

Todd,
the number is 26, Shintao Katsu's final appearance happening in Zatoichi 1989 or Zatoichi: Darkness Is His Ally.

why it wasn't included in the Criterion set IDK, but in my opinion even with the huge body count, it is a good closing of the entire saga. And it's nice to see the Character aged and understanding the fate of his life.

 

[Capt D McMars]

Todd,
the number is 26, Shintao Katsu's final appearance happening in Zatoichi 1989 or Zatoichi: Darkness Is His Ally.

why it wasn't included in the Criterion set IDK, but in my opinion even with the huge body count, it is a good closing of the entire saga. And it's nice to see the Character aged and understanding the fate of his life.

Dana UR right, 25 was Zatoichi Conspiracy I alway forget that one. Agreed the Darkness is my friend is a loving return to his loved protrail of Ichi-san. Even though he was the king of the muliti-kill sequences, it was never over done or exstreamly bloody, as in the 2003 reboot. When an actor creates a character as well loved as this one, anyone else coming in is in an uphill battle. the 2003 battle was ok, but for me too Sam Peakinpaw, loud & Bloody, and pointlessly so!!!
I also have all 4 seasons of the Zatoichi TV series. A-lot of great storlines there as well!! About why DIMF was not included into the box set is wierd, it might have been a contratural or rights issues? It seemed strange to me as well!! No worries I have them all on BD now!! Katsu played many characters but for me Ichi was his finest hour.

 

[titch]

No, this is not a new scan - I just wasted $17.99. Paramount is just re-issuing the same dreadful 2009 Disney/Miramax blu-ray - even the previews from the previous blu-ray are the same!

Be aware - now that Paramount now has acquired the Miramax library for home viewing. They will probably repeat this in the future, unless they expressly state that they have made new scans.