ZATOICHI #24
Directed by Shintaro Katsu • 1972 • Japan
Star Shintaro Katsu sits in the director’s chair for this psychedelic and unremittingly bleak entry in the Zatoichi series, which is unlike any other in its grind-house grimness. A tale of innocence corrupted by sadistic, sleazy criminality, the film is propelled by EASY RIDER-esque editing and a trippy seventies funk score by Kunihiko Murai.
Up Next in Samurai
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Zatoichi Goes to the Fire Festival
ZATOICHI #21
Directed by Kenji Misumi • 1970 • JapanCowritten by star Shintaro Katsu, this adventure pits Zatoichi against one of his most diabolical foes: a blind yakuza boss whose reign of terror and exploitation has made him nearly mythic. Guest starring the legendary Tatsuya Nakadai as a ro...
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Zatoichi’s Revenge
ZATOICHI #10
Directed by Akira Inoue • 1965 • JapanNearing the village of his sensei, Zatoichi decides to pay the teacher a visit, only to learn that he has been murdered and his daughter forced into prostitution. Ichi’s investigation into these injustices uncovers a corrupt alliance between go...
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Zatoichi’s Cane Sword
ZATOICHI #15
Directed by Kimiyoshi Yasuda • 1967 • JapanWearying of his wandering lifestyle, Zatoichi yearns to settle down; unfortunately, when he does so it’s in a town overrun by yakuza. He has an eye-opening encounter with the town’s blacksmith, who reveals himself to be the apprentice of t...
