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The Tale of Zatoichi

1962Movie1 h 36 min

89
ExcellentGoodWatch score
IMDb7.6Rotten Tomatoes100%87%

A violent, fast-paced adventure movie about history and crime.

Good for friends night · drop-in friendly · pure escapism

Skip it if graphic violence bothers you

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Not for scares or warmth.

Movies with

Story

The adventures of a blind, gambling masseur and master swordsman. Zatoichi targets a yakuza-controlled village, because war with a neighbouring town's smaller gang is brewing.

Feels like

  • Classic Samurai Film
  • Blind Swordsman
  • Yakuza Warfare
  • Morality and Justice
  • Historical Japan
  • Action & Intrigue
  • Master Swordsman
  • Lone Hero
  • Atmospheric

Cast

16 of 16

Crew

Directed by
Kenji Misumi
Written by
Minoru Inuzuka
Produced by
Ikuo Kubodera, Mitsuru Tanabe
Music by
Akira Ifukube

Everyone

Pick a department, or search for a name or a job (“editor”, “stunt”).

Facts

April 18, 1962 · 1 h 36 min · Violence

Released
April 18, 1962
Runtime
1 h 36 min
Content
Violence
Genres
Adventure, Action, Drama
Original language
Japanese
Made in
Japan
Available in
15 countries
Keywords
based on novel or book

Tropes

Adaptational Badass, Adaptational Alternate Ending, Adaptational Villainy +4

  • Adaptational Badass
  • Adaptational Alternate Ending
  • Adaptational Villainy
  • Worthy Opponent
  • Early-Installment Weirdness
  • Worf Had the Flu
  • Pet the Dog

From TV Tropes.

Q&A

4 questions, like "Where can I stream The Tale of Zatoichi?"

Questions about The Tale of Zatoichi

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream The Tale of Zatoichi?

Criterion

In the United States, The Tale of Zatoichi streams on Criterion. You can rent or buy it from Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home. It also streams in 12 other countries.

Is The Tale of Zatoichi worth watching?

89
ExcellentGoodWatch score

Yes, it's widely acclaimed, with a GoodWatch score of 89 (IMDb 7.6 and Rotten Tomatoes 100%). Critics rate it higher (100 out of 100) than audiences (82).

Is there a sequel to The Tale of Zatoichi?

  1. The Tale of Zatoichi (1962)
  2. The Tale of Zatoichi Continues (1962)
  3. New Tale of Zatoichi (1963)
  4. Zatoichi the Fugitive (1963)
  5. Zatoichi on the Road (1963)
  6. Zatoichi and the Chest of Gold (1964)
  7. Zatoichi's Flashing Sword (1964)
  8. Fight, Zatoichi, Fight (1964)
  9. Adventures of Zatoichi (1964)
  10. Zatoichi's Revenge (1965)
  11. Zatoichi and the Doomed Man (1965)
  12. Zatoichi and the Chess Expert (1965)
  13. Zatoichi's Vengeance (1966)
  14. Zatoichi's Pilgrimage (1966)
  15. Zatoichi's Cane Sword (1967)
  16. Zatoichi the Outlaw (1967)
  17. Zatoichi Challenged (1967)
  18. Zatoichi and the Fugitives (1968)
  19. Samaritan Zatoichi (1968)
  20. Zatoichi Meets Yojimbo (1970)
  21. Zatoichi Goes to the Fire Festival (1970)
  22. Zatoichi Meets the One-Armed Swordsman (1971)
  23. Zatoichi at Large (1972)
  24. Zatoichi in Desperation (1972)
  25. Zatoichi's Conspiracy (1973)
  26. Zatoichi: Darkness Is His Ally (1989)

Yes: it's movie 1 of 26 in its series, followed by The Tale of Zatoichi Continues (1962).

Is The Tale of Zatoichi in English?

Japanese

No, it was made in Japanese.