Zatoichi - Darkness Is His Ally

Sales Rank: 93624
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Product Desc: Amazon.com
As the 26th installment in a popular film series that lasted 27 years, Zatoichi is essentially a "greatest hits" compendium of all the films that preceded it. That makes it essential viewing for Zatoichi fans and anyone interested in the voluminous "source code" for Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill. Known in Japan as Zatoichi 26 or Zatoichi '89, this lavish production was the last to star Shintaro Katsu, who originated the title role of "the Blind Swordsman" in 1962's The Tale of Zatoichi and served triple-duty as writer and director of this stylishly violent latter-day adventure. Now much older and still a wandering loner, the blind, peace-loving masseur Ichi (or, in Japanese, Zato Ichi) seeks a quiet life among the gentle people of Edo Period villages, but when he's caught in a power struggle between rival Yakuza clans, his reputation as a deadly defender of the innocent precedes him, and he's forced to fend for himself in a series of sword-wielding showdowns. Between geysers of spurting crimson, this gorgeous Zatoichi film delivers good humor and mild sentiment, although series devotees were justifiably disappointed when the familiar plot failed to advance Zatoichi's legend in a middle-aged context. Still, the action sequences are frequent and fun, and despite controversy surrounding an accidental death during the climactic battle (for which Katsu's son, playing a villain, was ultimately found not guilty), this was a fitting farewell to Katsu's involvement in the franchise, which was revived once again with the successful release of Takeshi "Beat" Kitano's Zatoichi in 2003. --Jeff Shannon

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Amazon.com
As the 26th installment in a popular film series that lasted 27 years, Zatoichi is essentially a "greatest hits" compendium of all the films that preceded it. That makes it essential viewing for Zatoichi fans and anyone interested in the voluminous "source code" for Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill. Known in Japan as Zatoichi 26 or Zatoichi '89, this lavish production was the last to star Shintaro Katsu, who originated the title role of "the Blind Swordsman" in 1962's The Tale of Zatoichi and served triple-duty as writer and director of this stylishly violent latter-day adventure. Now much older and still a wandering loner, the blind, peace-loving masseur Ichi (or, in Japanese, Zato Ichi) seeks a quiet life among the gentle people of Edo Period villages, but when he's caught in a power struggle between rival Yakuza clans, his reputation as a deadly defender of the innocent precedes him, and he's forced to fend for himself in a series of sword-wielding showdowns. Between geysers of spurting crimson, this gorgeous Zatoichi film delivers good humor and mild sentiment, although series devotees were justifiably disappointed when the familiar plot failed to advance Zatoichi's legend in a middle-aged context. Still, the action sequences are frequent and fun, and despite controversy surrounding an accidental death during the climactic battle (for which Katsu's son, playing a villain, was ultimately found not guilty), this was a fitting farewell to Katsu's involvement in the franchise, which was revived once again with the successful release of Takeshi "Beat" Kitano's Zatoichi in 2003. --Jeff Shannon

Amazon.com: Zatoichi - Darkness Is His Ally: Ryuutar Gan, Kanako ... As the 26th installment in a popular film series that lasted 27 years, Zatoichi is essentially a "greatest hits" compendium of all the films that preceded it. That ... Jongara bushi song (Zatoichi - Darkness Is His Ally 1989) extrait ... Jongara bushi song (Zatoichi - Darkness Is His Ally 1989) Zatoichi - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia ... (as well as producing the TV series and his last Zatoichi film). ... Zatoichi, Darkness Is His Ally (1989) Zatichi (2003) Ichi (2008) Television series: "Zatoichi - Darkness is His Ally" (DVD) - The Momii Company ... Shintaro Katsu not only starred in this the 26th and last installment of the famed Zatoichi series, but he also produced, directed and wrote it. Zatoichi. Darkness is his ally.avi - YouTube Uploaded by MrOldchin on Jan 21, 2012 No description available. Category: People & Blogs Tags: Zatoichi Darkness is his ally License: Standard YouTube ... ALLEGRO Zatoichi 26 - Darkness Is His Ally : Martial Arts Zatoichi 26 - Darkness Is His Ally - Aspect Ratio: Theatre Wide-Screen (1.85.1) Presentation: Wide Screen Sound: Dolby Digital Stereo Features: Filmography ... Subtitles for Zatoichi 26 - Darkness Is His Ally - Subscene English Zatoichi Darkness Is His Ally 1989 DVDrip 1 Ledzepp English Zatoichi 26 - Darkness Is His Ally 23.976 FPS Zatichi (1989) - IMDb Zatoichi's friend Rest of cast listed alphabetically: Naonori Aihara: Ryo Akashi: Buntaro Aoyanaki: Yosuke ... Darkness is his ally [USA] ... Zatoichi 26 - Darkness Is His Ally (1989) I managed to catch this on cable and man, what a fucking bad ass movie. I can see what inspired Tarantino. The fight scenes are fast and deadly. It's like a western ... STUFF YOU GOTTA WATCH - Shintaro Katsu's Zatoichi (1989) (Aka: Shintaro Katsu's Zatoichi; Zatoichi 26; Zatoichi: Darkness is His Ally; Shintaro Katsu's Zatoichi: The Blind Swordsman) (1989 - Japan)