Zatoichi the Blind Swordsman, Vol. 8 - Fight, Zatoichi, Fight

Starring:ShintarÃ´ Katsu, Nobuo Kaneko, Hizuru Takachiho
Director: Kenji Misumi
Studio: Home Vision Entertainment
Product Type: DVD

Description

In a cruel twist of fate, an innocent woman is cut down in an ambush intended for the blind swordsman, turning her infant child into an orphan. Feeling responsible, Ichi vows to safely deliver the child to its father. The assassins relentlessly pursue
Ichi, who must fight with ever more efficient determination now that he is the infant's only protector. In a final bitter twist of fate and plot, Ichi must add to his list of enemies the father of the child he has sworn to protect.

Customer Reviews:

#8: A MAGNIFICENT ZATOICHI EPISODE.......2006-09-04

This 8th episode of the Zatoichi series is not to be missed: It is truly magnificent and entertaining. The film begins with a tragedy, [what else is new?] involving Ichi. He takes a ride in a palanquin; however, hearing a woman with a child in dire need of help, he gives her his seat in the palanquin and decides to walk the rest of the way. Unknown to him, a group of assassins is lurking nearby for him. Tragically, they attack the woman in the palanquin thinking that Ichi is inside. Feeling responsible, Ichi sets out to find the father of the infant. All the while these low-life samurai assassins are trailing him.

This clan of samurai assassin's tell Ichi that they have never failed a job yet. Little do they know that Zatoichi is no ordinary swordsman. Therefore, Ichi must hurry to his destination and get the baby to his father while eluding the paid killers. These killers have no scruples whatsoever: even trying to kill Ichi when he is changing the baby's diapers. So much for the Bushido code. There are many comical elements thrown in the film in regard to Ichi, the baby and a female pickpocket he teams up with on the road. Meanwhile, the journey Ichi undertakes in locating the father is fraught with peril.

When Ichi finally locates the father of the baby, Unosuke. The father denies the baby is his; and even denies the slain woman, Toyo, was his wife. Therefore, what is Ichi to do? Zatoichi has to deal with a confrontational father, decisions concerning the childs welfare, and the assassins still on his trail. What will become of the father? What about the baby? It all makes for a tragic conclusion. I will let you see for yourself, as this is a terrific Zatoichi episode. [Stars: 5+]

Beautifully fimed, the cinematography is outstanding

Fight, Zatoichi, Fight.......2005-07-10

Having recently become interested in the Zatoichi movies, I've been trying to watch the movies in sequence. Having been somewhat disappointed by volume 6, and not overly impressed with volume 7, "Fight, Zatoichi, Fight" was a pleasant surprise. The story basically revolves around Zatoichi's attempt to return a child to his father after he had inadvertantly caused the woman's death. Not able to handle the responsibilities on his own, he hires a light-fingered woman to look after the child. Naturally, Zatoichi is all the while followed by men bent on collecting reward money. All in all, an entertaining movie.

My New Favorite.......2005-02-05

Having watched these films for the last five years or so, I can't believe I missed this one. It is now my favorite of all the Masseur Ichi films.

Our hero's relationship with the baby he is protecting is very touching. And I love the humor in this one, especially when he does the pseudo-breastfeeding to try to calm the crying child. Ichi's expressions in that scene are priceless. I was also touched by his inability to sleep (because of his protectiveness toward the child) even after he has paid a woman to look after the baby so he can finally get some sleep.

My favorite scene of this film is the gambling one, where Ichi exposes the dice fraud, helping the other underdogs win too. I am again impressed by the lack of gore in this movie, just as I am with the other Zatoichi films. The storyline is classic and well-done. I definitely recommend this one.

Beautiful cinematography; Amazing Choreography.......2003-04-29

The over 20 films Zatoichi films comprise arguably the most beautiful film series ever made. Every frame is a work of art.
If you like moral ambiguity look elsewhere. The plots are simple but classic fables (i.e.: "fabulous"). Zatoichi, the humble blind masseur, is a 15th century Columbo amiably bumbling along, and is played with great skill by Shintaro Katsu in all films. But when a band of villains threatens some damsel, watch out, as Zatoichi pulls the sword from inside his walking cane. Blind but sensing all movement around him, he becomes a whirling dervish of lethal steel. No villain ever survives, though actual blood is rarely seen.

This is Officially my favorite of the Zatoichi Movies I have.......2003-04-13

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Usually on Saturdays I catch the Samurai feature (or at least part of it) on IFC while I eat my lunch. While I love Zatoichi movies (I have about 7 on tape and DVD respectively) usually I can't focus on both the subtitles and my lunch at the same time so I usually flip to TBS so I can hear a movie rather than try to read and eat.

This time however I caught Fight, Zatoichi, Fight and was completely enthralled. Any good Zatoichi fan worth their salt doesn't just like the character and the movies because he is a total badass with his cane sword...it is because he is completely human at the same time. He is fallible and is often more prey to his own emotions than to the regular old scheming Yakuza or ornery samurai warrior. This movie has all the things you like about Zatoichi films. The drama, the emotion, the [fighting], the humor. This movie yo-yoed my face like you wouldn't believe...at times I was laughing while the next minute I was feeling quite sad...or hell, even touched. Do you know how hard it is for someone like me to say that?

Anyway, if you like Zatoichi movies, or any movies whatsoever...this is a great one to watch.

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