- Actors: Shintaro Katsu
- Format: Box set, PAL
- Language Japanese
- Subtitles: English
- Region: Region 2 (This DVD may not be viewable outside Europe. Read more about DVD formats.)
- Number of discs: 3
- Classification: 15
- Studio: Rsk Artsmagic
- DVD Release Date: 31 May 2004
- Run Time: 280 minutes
- Average Customer Review: 2.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
- ASIN: B00022VLWW
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 92,951 in Film & TV (See Top 100 in Film & TV)
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
24 of 31 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Hmm. Not a review exactly - more of a public information/good deed for the day kind of thing. All of the reviews here are to do with *Takeshi Kitano's* recent retelling of the Zatoichi myth. Down the years, particularly during the 60's and 70's, there have been many films featuring the character - that's where the films in this boxset come from. None of the reviews here are about the films in the boxset. They are, if you like your 60's Japanese samuari flicks, still worth watching. If you think you're buying a Kitano movie(s) though, you'll actually be getting something quite different.
Format:DVD
Poor quality video, rubbish publisher - they thought it was set in China! If you lke Zatoichi go for the earlier episodes (only available on Region 1) these later ones do not live up to expectations.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
77 reviews
47 of 53 people found the following review helpful
Fine reprise with great Taiko soundtrack bonus
26 May 2005
Format:DVD
Kitano's remake of the popular 1960's "Zatoichi-the Blind Swordsman" series (there were probably over two dozen of the original series) takes big risks but largely succeeds. Kitano is a darker, more sinister Zatoichi, and the action is a lot more Tarantino-esque. The sword action is first class but extremely violent, unlike the original series which, like the vintage Westerns, were mostly bloodless affairs. Blood squirts everywhere on the scale of "Kill Bill."
This is not the 1960s Zatoichi, who was a more light-hearted character who often avoided conflict and was even prepared to play a buffoon to avoid violence. Not so here - Kitano stalks his prey relentlessly, like the former Yakusa he was. There is a very adult story spliced in here about the two gisha runaways (one is not who s(he) appears to be) so forget about pre-teens watching this one. Unlike many Samurai period pieces, there is a plot here which is serious and sad.
The unexpected bonus to this movie is the excellent musical soundtrack consisting of Taiko drumming and dancing, well worth cranking up on a home theater system. Peasants threshing rice beat out a syncopated background to a scene, and there is a big Taiko musical send up (not too different from some of the 1960s Zatochi musical numbers) at the end.
This is not the 1960s Zatoichi, who was a more light-hearted character who often avoided conflict and was even prepared to play a buffoon to avoid violence. Not so here - Kitano stalks his prey relentlessly, like the former Yakusa he was. There is a very adult story spliced in here about the two gisha runaways (one is not who s(he) appears to be) so forget about pre-teens watching this one. Unlike many Samurai period pieces, there is a plot here which is serious and sad.
The unexpected bonus to this movie is the excellent musical soundtrack consisting of Taiko drumming and dancing, well worth cranking up on a home theater system. Peasants threshing rice beat out a syncopated background to a scene, and there is a big Taiko musical send up (not too different from some of the 1960s Zatochi musical numbers) at the end.
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Sonatine
16 Nov 2004
Format:DVD
ok, to be honest, i have not yet watched Zatoichi. i'm not here to review that. judging by the reviews of the others on here, you can see that you either love it or hate it. i'm here to recommend SONATINE.
people seem to overlook Sonatine. to be honest, that was the reason i bought this DVD. Sonatine was previously not available on DVD, and you could only get it in a full screen VHS. now it's here in all it's glory. don't expect a crazy action movie like Zatoichi, Sonatine is more akin to Hana-Bi (aka Fireworks). very slow paced, but still very good. this double feature is worth it just for Sonatine.
people seem to overlook Sonatine. to be honest, that was the reason i bought this DVD. Sonatine was previously not available on DVD, and you could only get it in a full screen VHS. now it's here in all it's glory. don't expect a crazy action movie like Zatoichi, Sonatine is more akin to Hana-Bi (aka Fireworks). very slow paced, but still very good. this double feature is worth it just for Sonatine.
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful
In homage to Kurosawa
19 Nov 2004
Format:DVD
This is the type of Beat Takeshi film I have been yearning to see for a decade. It is a Japanese period film stylistically similiar to Kurosawa's Yojimbo and Sanjuro. Takeshi however has modernized the genre with the utmost taste and care. The music, the acting, the swordfights, the tap dances, the camerawork, the plot, the computerwork... all utterly amazing. Takeshi set out to make a "Big Screen" work to entertain the masses and he has far surpassed any expectations.
I cannot believe this hasn't exploded onto the big screen in America. This movie can be enjoyed on a number of different levels by an extremely wide audience.
If you haven't seen this movie go out and rent it, you will not be disappointed.
Godon Sensei would be Proud!
I cannot believe this hasn't exploded onto the big screen in America. This movie can be enjoyed on a number of different levels by an extremely wide audience.
If you haven't seen this movie go out and rent it, you will not be disappointed.
Godon Sensei would be Proud!
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