Zatoichi The Tale of Zatoichiby Anonymous

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December 10, 2003: My first introduction to Zatoichi the Blind Swordsman was through IFC's Samurai Saturdays. I had recently discovered a love for samurai films and was greatly excited to find a channel that allowed me to indulge. I have seen other samurai classics like Yojimbo and Ran, and thought that they were wonderful films. But, there was something about Zatoichi that made a profound effect on me. Shintaro Katsu has Everyman wriiten all over him, with his not traditionally handsome face and slightly pudgy physical stature almost dissolving the fact that he is portraying the most lethal hero in cinematic history. Zatoichi makes a living as a masseus, a low ranking status of the Japanese Caste system, and by gambling(at which he is uncommonly good ). Samurai who come across him brush him off as a peasant, but those who have opposed him find themselves lying dead in the dirt. Lightning fast and equally accurate, Shintaro Katsu's blind swordman is a force to be reckoned with. And of course, the fact that Zatoichi is blind just so much more cooler. I don't mean like Daredevil blind, where his other four senses are so heightened, that the only thing a sighted man can do that Daredevil can't is tell you what color your shirt is. No, Zatoichi is blind and it is though the extreme training that was hinted in the film, that puts him (irresistable pun ahead) a cut above the rest. While Zatoichi is both physically impressive and awe inspiring, it should be clearly stated that he keeps you captivated during the moments that don't require him to draw his sword from his cane. The character's moral standpoint combined with his quick wit and sometimes dry humor, make Zatoichi one of the most charming of heroes. Katsu is a fine actor, but also helps the writing is top notch, something that mainstream cinema has almost all forgotten. Before studios tried to numb audiences with CG effects, A good story, strong direction and true to life characters were the true special effects and Zatoichi has that in spades. Although made in 1962, to watch the film now feels like breath of fresh air, for this film and the 25 others that came after it,is a testament to great cinema. And while Shintaro Katsu passed away five years ago, he is still generating new fan base that grows largerwith the steady release of the DVD collection. So if you happen to home Saturday and are in the mood for a a good story and fearsome sword play, you can rest assure that if 'Zatoichi: The Tale of Zatoichi' isn't on IFC, Blockbuster will.