Zatoichi at Large (1972)

This movie opens with a pregnant woman being attacked and robbed of her gold while traveling.  Zatoichi, the blind swordsman, arrives too late to save her.  But he does manage to deliver her baby and honor her dying words to deliver the boy to his family.  When he arrives in the town with the boy he manages to get himself in the middle of a dispute between the aging constable and a Yakuza gang that is trying to muscle it’s way into town.  If that weren’t bad enough the husband of the woman mistakenly thinks that Zatoichi is responsible for her death and looks to kill him!  Toss in some silly festival performers and a master swordsman hired by the Yakuza to do away with Zatoichi and you have one heck of a movie. 

This is another great entry into the blind swordsman series.  This movie isn’t as action packed as many of the others and has less swordplay.  But the flipside is that there is more story and the characters are easier to follow than some of the other films in the series.  While all the supporting characters are interesting I really liked the subplot of the constable and his good for nothing son and how it ties into the ending of the movie.  Other than that you have all the requirements of a good Zatoichi flick with the Yakuza gang, a beautiful woman whose virtue is in danger, and some comic relief (here in the form of the festival performers).  The supporting cast is good, as I have come to expect.  But the real star is Shintarô Katsu, who again is wonderful as the Zatoichi character.  This movie is near the end of his incredibly long run in the role (this is the 23rd movie!) and it is obvious the character is like a second skin for him.  Nothing but good comes from a great actor in a role that he knows well. 

As I stated earlier this movie isn’t quite as action packed as some of the others.  It also lacks the signature fight scene that many of the other movies in the series have.  But there are a few fights and they are entertaining and well choreographed.  So for those looking for some swordplay this movie won’t disappoint, just don’t expect the nonstop mayhem that many of the other films in the series boast.  There is a great showdown that ends the movie, but is exceedingly short and very stylized. 

I think that this might be my favorite Zatoichi movie so far, at least as far as supporting characters go.  This is also without a doubt my favorite plot next to Zatoichi meets Yojimbo.  These Zatoichi movies deliver the goods and are a must have for fans of the Samurai genre.  This movie can be had from AnimEigo as a single disc, but I recommend picking it up as part of the Zatoichi Blind Swordsman box set.  Check AnimEigo out at their website http://www.animeigo.com/ for more information about this and all of their other great releases.  I highly recommend Zatoichi at Large.

3 ½ out of 4

reviewed by John Shatzer

© Copyright 2008 John Shatzer