ZatoichisConspiracy

Zatoichi’s Conspiracy (1973)

This movie finds Zatoichi the Blind Swordsman going to his hometown for the first time in more than 20 years. When he arrives he discovers his childhood friend, Shinbei, has become a powerful merchant driven by his greed. When the local farmers can’t pay their taxes Shinbei comes to their aid and pays off their debt to the local magistrate. Of course the local magistrate has been over charging and skimming the extra for himself, which caused the shortfall in the first place. If that weren’t bad enough Shinbei uses the payment as an excuse to take the local quarry over from the locals and then informs them they still have to pay him back his money! But when Shinbei, who enjoys deflowering young women, sets his sights on a beautiful young woman that happens to be Zatoichi’s adopted sister all hell breaks loose. Blood will flow and things will be set right before Zatoichi leaves his hometown for the last time.

This is easily the best move of the Blind Swordsman series. The story has all the typical elements of revenge, a Yakuza gang up to no good, and official’s abusing their position. But there is very little of the typical violence in the beginning of the movie as it focuses more on Zatoichi reminiscing about growing up and his childhood. The movie also dispenses with the normal subservient demeanor as Zatoichi goes from enjoying his new found adopted sister to anger over how his hometown and family is being treated. This also gives Shintarô Katsu to give one of his best performances as the character Zatoichi. He is always good, but this is my favorite of his performances. I also found the subplot of the urchins that start hanging around Zatoichi interesting. The movie doesn’t come right out and say it but they end up creating a sort of family with him, in spite of trying to kill him.

While the movie holds off on the action for a while it delivers the goods when the time comes. I’m especially fond of the final showdown in the rice warehouse. Much blood and rice is spilled in a short period of time. There is also a nifty gimmick that I won’t spoil, but that is really funny. The fight choreography even reflects the attitude change in Zatoichi as the character is much more aggressive and tears right thru the swordsmen to get to his targets. This rivals Zatoichi: The Festival of Fire as having the best fight scene to end the movie, though I still might give that entry the edge. The picture and sound is excellent, as always seems to be the case with these movies.

Some of the other movies in the series might have better fight scenes or have better camera work. But as a whole this is the perfect Zatoichi movie and is the one that I would show anyone casually interested in the series. The movie delivers all the fights that you could want and has some heart as well. I highly recommend this movie and the Blind Swordsman box set, which are both available from AnimEigo. Check out the AnimEigo website for details at http://www.animeigo.com/

4 out of 4

reviewed by John Shatzer