Zatoichi 24 - Zatoichi in Desperation

Starting with Ichi accidently contributing to a grandmother's death, going through torture and deaths (beatings, sex abuse, suicide) of children, vividly abused prostitutes, to Ichi's torture and subsequent violent revenge, it stands apart.

Even the music and editing seem experimental. Very 70's. I suspect actor/director/producer Katsu Shintaro was trying to be Michelangelo Antonioni (BLOW UP) or Richard Lester (HELP!).

For Z-collectors, this may be a must. For newcomers, maybe it's a bit harsh.
I knocked off a star because although it was a noble departure/experiment, it
often went a bit too far. I look forward to reading others' opinion on this one.


Just read this simple review!!!   November 10, 2004
Francisco Cortes (San Juan, Puerto Rico USA)
22 out of 29 found this review helpful

This Zatoichi movie is not THAT good!!!
because:
* No awesome moves by Shintaro Kaysu (Zatoichi).
* No action until the ending.
* Zatoichi fight with his hands tied to the swordcane all the time except in the beach scene.
* The ONLY good thing is the BEAUTIFUL colors of the movie!!!

Thank you for lisen.


Very Disturbing and Dark view   March 17, 2008
Frederic Taylor
2 out of 2 found this review helpful

Sometimes, we all would like an advanced NOTICE or WARNING before certain films are considered, produced and then sold for public consumption, this my friends is one of those films. Seeing more than 20 or so Katsu films has spoiled me, There I was, taking those journeys along with Zatoichi Ichi while making me feel like one of the family and at times one of his trusted friends, visiting the villages, getting to know the local bosses and their underlings or as Ichi would call them 'minions' and known to us as Yakuza there was a connection or perhaps a bond between me and that cast of characters. I had an emotional tie to all involved. This film abandoned all of those safe,secure and nurturing qualities. This film told thru the eyes of Shintaro Katsu is brutal, savage and relentless in it's attack on humanity, I wish Katsu had warned me that he would stray from utilizing the films previous Directors, Akira Ifukube music score and various other writing contributors that made all of his other films so successful and leaving you with a good feeling as oppossed to the hopeless dread that I felt after watching this film. I did enjoy this film which portrayed sighted people as barbaric and unsympathetic infact this film made all of his other films seem like a piece of cotton candy. Thank you Zatoichi, rest in piece.


#24: DARKEST OF ALL ZATOICHI EPISODES   August 30, 2006
Ernest Jagger (Culver City, California)
3 out of 4 found this review helpful

Many of my friends have commented that this is one of their least liked episodes of Zatoichi. It definetly departs significantly from any of Shintaro Katsu's previous Zatoichi episodes. This entry, which was directed by Shintaro Katsu, is very, very dark and a bit disturbing. Especially when contrasting this episode with Shintaro Katsu's earlier episodes. Missing is much of the humor that one finds with the previous Zatoichi episodes.

For those new to Zatoichi, I would recommend watching his earlier episodes; and in fact, by starting from Shintaro Katsu's first episodes in chronological order. In this way one can see how the character Zatoichi progressed throughout the years the series ran. Many of the episodes are great, if not greater than many of the so-called Samurai Masterpieces of cinema. Just look at "Festival of Fire" to name just one episode.

In this entry, Zatoichi accidently causes the death of an old woman on a bridge. She was on the way to see her daughter. Feeling responsible for the death of this woman, Zatoichi attempts to locate the womans daughter. He finds out that the daughter works in a brothel as a prostitute. Her name is Nishikigi [Kiwako Taichi]. Zatoichi attempts to buy her freedom, but things get a little strange from here. This is the dark part of the film. Things do not go very well for Zatoichi.

Zatoichi is beaten up and tortured in a very horrible way. [I will not give this part away] Also, unlike past episodes, Ichi is OVER-ABUSED in a very rough manner: as the evil men he is up against are much darker and vile as in his previous episodes. Never fear however, Zatoichi does exact vengeance on those who cross him. The cinemantography is great as usual. However, this episode may not be to the liking of many viewers, other than die hard Ichi fans. Recommended. [3.5 STARS]