Fresh
The Blind Swordsman: Zatoichi begins life as a straight-up samurai movie, evolves into a slapstick comedy and ends as a rousing, tap-dancing musical.
Christy Lemire, Associated Press
Zatoichi
His sword made him a hero... his courage made him a legend.
2003 · 1h 56m · R
Action, Adventure, Drama
Directed by
Takeshi Kitano
Overview
Blind traveler Zatoichi is a master swordsman and a masseur with a fondness for gambling on dice games. When he arrives in a village torn apart by warring gangs, he sets out to protect the townspeople.
Director and cast
Critics on Rotten Tomatoes
Top critics, in their words
87%
Tomatometer
Fresh
Zatoichi is a mix-and-match crowd-pleaser that shouldn't add up, but delightfully does.
David Ansen, Newsweek
Fresh
However improbably, Kitano pulls it off quite gloriously. Admittedly, this isn't one of his most idiosyncratic, innovative or, indeed, satisfying works, but it's without doubt fast, funny, fabulous to behold.
Geoff Andrew, Time Out
Fresh
For those unfamiliar with such films, Zatoichi might be a little off-putting. But given a chance, the movie can be pretty entertaining.
Bill Muller, Arizona Republic
Rotten
This isn't arty violence, just violence, and pretty pedestrian for a samurai picture.
Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel
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