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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
31 of 34 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This edition of Takeshi Kitanos fantastic film is the ultimate PAL version with the addition of a DTS soundtrack. Colours are better in the Japanese release, but since I get lots of subtitled extras and a DTS soundtrack (and I prefer PAL speedup to NTSC pulldown) I went with this one.
It comes in a metal box with some nice prints of the publicity artwork, a booklet with plenty of Takeshi Kitanos thoughts on his work and a frame of 35mm film. I got one with the rather amusing subtitle "Did you kill everyone in the room?". One of the best collectors edition treats out there.
If you haven't actually seen the film then just buy it now. It's clever, funny, violent, moving, silly and thoughtful all at once. I have not seen such a complete work of cinematic art since Kurosawas films and yet this has a style all it's own. The music is clever, varied, and enhances the stunning visuals superbly. With this film Takeshi Kitano takes the step (in my eyes) from talented director to genius. I know people always exaggerate on the net and stuff but I don't. I'm serious. This is a truly awesome work of art.
12 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Blu-ray|Amazon Verified Purchase
Having recently bought a new Pioneer BDP-320 Blu-ray player, I've been buying and watching some great films in the high definition format. I've enjoyed lustrous transfers of films such as "Gone With The Wind", "North By Northwest" and "Zulu" over the last few weeks, and so I had high hopes for "Beat" Takeshi Kitano's 2003 film "Zatoichi".
The transfer is deeply disappointing. Having already seen the film in standard definition, there is absolutely no discernable difference between that version and the Blu-ray. Poor contrast levels and picture noise are the ever-present in this version of the film. It's just not good enough.
In retrospect, it's hardly surprising. Artificial Eye relases, along with those from the BFI, are usually lazy and slipshod affairs, with poor transfers and so-so extras the norm. In short, AE are the anti-Criterion. It's sad that people -like me- get sucked in with assumptions of a higher quality from Blu-ray releases merely because some high def releases are very good indeed.
The film itself is reasonable (although Takeshi's 1997 "Hana-Bi" is in another league in terms of quality) and I would probably give it a 3/5, but the transfer just is not. Add to that the usuual bog-standard "making of" documentary and biographies (all which you could find on the internet), and this is one to avoid.
The transfer is deeply disappointing. Having already seen the film in standard definition, there is absolutely no discernable difference between that version and the Blu-ray. Poor contrast levels and picture noise are the ever-present in this version of the film. It's just not good enough.
In retrospect, it's hardly surprising. Artificial Eye relases, along with those from the BFI, are usually lazy and slipshod affairs, with poor transfers and so-so extras the norm. In short, AE are the anti-Criterion. It's sad that people -like me- get sucked in with assumptions of a higher quality from Blu-ray releases merely because some high def releases are very good indeed.
The film itself is reasonable (although Takeshi's 1997 "Hana-Bi" is in another league in terms of quality) and I would probably give it a 3/5, but the transfer just is not. Add to that the usuual bog-standard "making of" documentary and biographies (all which you could find on the internet), and this is one to avoid.
Format:DVD
This film is great! The action is frequent and bloody but directed in such a way that it is very accessible for others who find films like 'Kill Bill' a bit much. The story is nothing to write home about. I think pretty much every story line possible has already been covered in countless other 'Zatoichi' films before this. What this film does is inject some serious class into an old formula. All of the 'Kitano' trademarks are there to please fans of his work and create a really enjoyable film. If you like Samurai films then this is an absolute must see!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Perfect
bluray quality is good,
very good movie, to be seen urgently!
Atmosphere, battles, fun, stylish, story, everything is good! Read more
very good movie, to be seen urgently!
Atmosphere, battles, fun, stylish, story, everything is good! Read more
Published 15 months ago by kawaijb
a true masterpeice!i love mr beat takeshi!
ive always adored this film,had it on regular disc but had to buy this beautiful edition due to its great price.i suggest any true zatoichi fan like myself should do so too!
Published 20 months ago by R P Mcmurphy
Interesting and good
A violent and bloody japanise samurai movie, though this Zorro-like tale is an intriguingly entertaining adventure. Read more
Published 24 months ago by Roland Deschain
King kitano
Up there with my favourite films of all time, had to purchase on blu-ray even though I have the DVD, well worth the pennies!
Published on 11 Mar 2009 by Mr. A. N. Lawrence
Ultimate samurai
This is the ultimate samurai movie. Has it all...
It's what you'd expect from a movie like that, Takeshi Kitano (director and main actor) is perfect for his part and in... Read more
It's what you'd expect from a movie like that, Takeshi Kitano (director and main actor) is perfect for his part and in... Read more
Published on 19 April 2006 by Charles Wolf
Absolutely Brilliant!!!
This movie is absolutely brilliant! This is another amazing creation by the talented japanese director Takeshi Kitano. He also plays a brilliant lead role in this movie. Read more
Published on 17 Oct 2005 by "the_codfather"
Zatoichi the blind swordsman.
The director Takeshi Kitano plays the lead character Zatoichi the blind swordsman.
This is very much Kitano's film, Zatoichi has appeared in many Japanese films and the... Read more
This is very much Kitano's film, Zatoichi has appeared in many Japanese films and the... Read more
Published on 14 Mar 2005 by SunshineonLeith
this film was brilliant
The film involves a blind swordsman (zatoichi) fighting off gang members in the town . This film was great, takeshi kitano changed it slightly from the original series of zatoichi... Read more
Published on 24 Feb 2005 by "thetrooperal"
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