Good remake of the classic Zatoichi
Zatoichi was one of the classic period piece franchises in 1960s-70s Japanese cinema with over 20 releases and a TV series. Since so many older films were being re-made in the 2000s it was only natural that someone would do Zatoichi. That resulted in The Blind Swordsman: Zatoichi by director Takeshi Kitano featuring himself in the classic role.<br /><br />Every original Zatoichi film had some basic elements. First, there were some Yakuza (gangsters), because that was the crowd Zatoichi ran with. Next there were the gambling dens that the gangs ran, which Zatoichi would always frequent. Third, common people were always featured instead of the samurai and upper class that most Japanese films focused upon. There was always a woman that had fallen on hard times that Zatoichi tried to redeem. Finally, there was swordplay with Zatoichi killing numerous Yakuza and usually a ronin (a masterless samurai).<br /><br />The 2003 version used all of those elements. In the opening scene for example, some Yakuza come upon Zatoichi (Takeshi Kitano) and tell a little boy to steal his sword. They taunt him, but then he gets his sword back and slays a few of them. There’s also the gambling, but this time with a little twist from the originals. Usually, Zatoichi uses this superior hearing to win, and then catches the Yakuza trying to cheat. This time he ends up slicing up the place. Zatoichi comes across a poor farmer woman, O-ume (Michiyo Okusu) who is being exploited by a gang, which he tries to help. Later he meets two sisters O-sei (Daigoro Tachibana) and O-kinu (Yuko Daike), one of which is actually a transvestite. They are travelling performers who are seeking out revenge upon the gang that killed their family. Zatoichi helps them seek payback. Last, there is the ronin Hattori (Tadanobu Asano) who was disgraced in his clan and becomes a bodyguard for the local Yakuza. There is of course a big swordfight between them at the end.<br /><br />Director Kitano also had some really beautiful shots such as farmers plowing away on their field with the sounds of their tools making the beat of the background music.<br /><br />While I enjoyed the remake I thought the one major flaw was that Takeshi Kitano didn’t bring more character to Zatoichi. The original actor Shintaro Katsu had a real way with Zatoichi in how he looked and how he interacted with people. He was always happy and playful until a conflict emerged. Takeshi Kitano is more quiet and reserved. Still, this was a fine adaptation and a good story.
The movie title "Zatoichi (DVD)," available on Movies & TV, has received an average rating of 4.6 from 298 reviewers. 
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 {"Package Dimensions": "7.1 x 5.42 x 0.58 inches; 2.88 Ounces", "Media Format": "DVD"}

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