Film Reviews

ZATOICHI

Based on the Kan Shimozawa novels the reluctant samurai Zatoichi is as much a cult figure in Japanese literature as Zoro or Robin Hood.

Blind bone-setter Zatoicho wanders the countryside scraping a living using his acute sense of hearing to detect the roll of dice in gambling dens and offering massages in lieu of accommodation when his tranquil existence is shattered. Strolling into a town terrorised by a samurai gang he becomes embroiled with a pair of geishas avenging the slaughter of their parents forcing him to reveal his hidden side, as a master swordsman. Effortlessly dispatching the various adversaries with nonchalant displays of his samurai skill protecting the town and the people he has come to trust.

Written, Directed by and staring Takeshi Kitano (most famed for his roles as the teacher in the Battle Royal films) Zatoichi manages to combine stunning fight scenes with the classic hero’s adventure and some very amusing moments, especially the wannabe samurai who spends the entire film running around screaming, alternating the film between bloody action and farcical comedy and ending with a bizarre Busby Berkley musical number. Stunningly photographed in pale colours and low angle shots as a metaphor for the darkness of the subject Kitano’s film is little short of a masterpiece of the chambara (swordplay) genre as well as adhering faithfully to the detail of the period.

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