Zatoichi's vengence
Zatoichi has more Yakuza on his back and a blind priest challenging his violent ways. Between the priests guilt trip and a young boy who idolises Z's strength, Zatoichi decides not to fight back and decides to take the rival gangs violence. Eventually however Z cannot take any more and decides to strike back!
A fun but occasionally frustrating entry into the setting.
Zatoichi's pilgrimage
Starting out as an attempt to do something a little different with the series the initial premise of this was to be Z heading to 88 shrines in order to seek penance for all the people he's killed. Being that this was Daiai's cash cow franchise the idea lasts about 10 minutes before Ichi is attacked. After striking down the assailant our hero follows the would-be assassin's horse back to its village where he shacks up with his latests victims sister. Discovering the village is under the thumb of a brutal warlord with a speciality in archery Z seeks help from the local townsfolk to take on the gang only to ultimately find himself stood alone to face the gang high noon style.
The final fight between Z and the gang is stunningly choreographed and the film has some genuinely beautuiful cinematography.
Zatoichis Cane sword.
A more humorous and wise-cracking entry into the series, Z is advised by a master blacksmith that he gets one more kill from his sword cane before it will break. As its a legendary sword from a master swordsmith it cannot be repaired and Z must deal with the idea of finally going straight. He ends up working in a local inn as a masseur but ultimately ends up getting roped in to the struggles of a young brother and sister who must deal with a corrupt local Yakuza. Fortunately the smith has been working on a new sword, Z just needs to get it off the Yakuza. will his sword cane last long enough.
Terrific action with a brutal climax. Well choreographed and genuinely funny.
Zatoichi the outlaw
The most overtly political, and bloody, of the series so far. We return to the idea of Z being an actual Yakuza who discovers another corrupt boss. An upcoming younger boz of a rival family seems to embody the ideals Zatoichi values, and after realising the current boss is using his crooked gambling dens to bleed the peasants dry he institutes a regieme change and leaves town hoping things improve.
One year later he discovers if anything things are worse and the boss he idealised has ended up as corrupt as his predecessor. Z's only hope is to free the very communist-like yojimbo who has stirred up trouble preaching temperance and collectivism. Politics aside this is a brutal picture and the bloodiest so far with some graphic dismemberment. The sword fights are as well choreographed as ever.
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