Zatoichi, Vol. 1--The Tale of Zatoichi

Called the "Japanese Zorro," the blind Zatoichi is a lowly masseur who draws on his razor-sharp wits and, more importantly for an action series, his expertise with a cane sword when necessary. Followed by 26 (!) film sequels, and some 100 television episodes, this initial 1962 feature finds Zatoichi (Shintaro Katsu)--in a plot reminiscent of Kurosawa's 1961 classic Yojimbo (in fact, a 1970 film was made called Zatoichi Meets Yojimbo)--arriving in a provincial village, promptly conning a group of gangsters in a game, and then craftily living off the bounty of their leader, until he's drawn into a war between his host and a rival yakuza gang leader, and, ultimately, must face his equal on the battlefield. More than just a hack and slash (in fact, the action sequences--though surprisingly brutal for 1962--are few), the film's various subplots, like a tongue worrying a sore tooth, continually come back to the concept of honor--in word and deed. Boasting a nice sharp transfer and newly translated subtitles, this is recommended for larger collections. [Note: also newly available at the same price, Zatoichi, Vol. 2--The Tale of Zatoichi Continues.] (R. Pitman)