Zatoichi: The Blind Swordsman (Set 1)

1. THE TALE OF ZATOICHI
Kenji Misumi 1962
The epic saga of Zatoichi begins.
3. NEW TALE OF ZATOICHI
Tokuzo Tanaka 1963
Zatoichi is back—and in color! Hoping to leave violence behind, the blind
masseur wanders to a village, where he meets an old friend fallen on hard times.
The Criterion Collection
2. THE TALE OF ZATOICHI CONTINUES
Kazuo Mori 1962
Zatoichi is hired to give a massage to a powerful political official who, he
discovers, is mentally ill—a secret that the nobleman’s retinue is determined to
keep at any cost.
Zatoichi: The Blind Swordsman (Set 1)
Zatoichi: The Blind Swordsman
The colossally popular Zatoichi films make up the longest-running
action series in Japanese history and created one of the screen’s
great heroes: an itinerant blind masseur who also happens to be
a lightning-fast swordsman. As this iconic figure, the charismatic
and earthy Shintaro Katsu became an instant superstar, lending a
larger-than-life presence to the thrilling adventures of a man who
lives staunchly by a code of honor and delivers justice in every
town and village he enters. The films that feature him are variously
pulse-pounding, hilarious, stirring, and completely off-the-wall.
This deluxe set features the string of twenty-five Zatoichi films
made between 1962 and 1973, collected in one package for the
first time.
1
2
3
The Tale of
Zatoichi
The Tale of
Zatoichi Continues
New Tale of
Zatoichi
4. ZATOICHI THE FUGITIVE
Tokuzo Tanaka 1963
Zatoichi triumphs at a village wrestling match, much to the chagrin of his yakuza
opponents. The defeated gang members pay a hotheaded ronin to take out the
masseur; unbeknownst to them, the hired assassin is married to a former flame
of Zatoichi’s, further complicating matters.
6. ZATOICHI AND THE CHEST OF GOLD
Kazuo Ikehiro 1964
After arriving in a small village, Zatoichi finds himself accused of stealing the
citizens’ hefty tax payments. To clear his name, he must face off against a corrupt
official, a succession of hired blades, and a bullwhip-wielding titan.
The Criterion Collection
5. ZATOICHI ON THE ROAD
Kimiyoshi Yasuda 1963
The itinerant Zatoichi comes across a dying man, who begs the masseur to
escort a young woman back to her family in Edo. The honorable swordsman
agrees, but in so doing, he catapults himself between two warring yakuza clans,
each with its own interest in kidnapping the girl.
Zatoichi: The Blind Swordsman (Set 2)
Zatoichi: The Blind Swordsman
The colossally popular Zatoichi films make up the longest-running
action series in Japanese history and created one of the screen’s
great heroes: an itinerant blind masseur who also happens to be
a lightning-fast swordsman. As this iconic figure, the charismatic
and earthy Shintaro Katsu became an instant superstar, lending a
larger-than-life presence to the thrilling adventures of a man who
lives staunchly by a code of honor and delivers justice in every
town and village he enters. The films that feature him are variously
pulse-pounding, hilarious, stirring, and completely off-the-wall.
This deluxe set features the string of twenty-five Zatoichi films
made between 1962 and 1973, collected in one package for the
first time.
4
5
6
Zatoichi
the Fugitive
Zatoichi on
the Road
Zatoichi and the
Chest of Gold
7. ZATOICHI’S FLASHING SWORD
Kazuo Ikehiro 1964
The blind swordsman is shot and nursed back to health by kind strangers. He
soon discovers that his saviors are caught between sparring crime lords; bound
by honor, Zatoichi stays to ensure their safety.
9. ADVENTURES OF ZATOICHI
Kimiyoshi Yasuda 1964
The blind swordsman wanders into a town to celebrate the New Year. There, he
befriends a young woman whose father has gone missing; as he tries to help
her find him, he becomes entangled in a web of corruption and a series of tragic
twists of fate.
The Criterion Collection
8. FIGHT, ZATOICHI, FIGHT
Kenji Misumi 1964
While on the road, Zatoichi befriends a young mother right before she is savagely
murdered. Promising her that he will hand over her baby to its father, the blind
masseur embarks on an adventure both sentimental and beset by perilous
action.
Zatoichi: The Blind Swordsman (Set 3)
Zatoichi: The Blind Swordsman
The colossally popular Zatoichi films make up the longest-running
action series in Japanese history and created one of the screen’s
great heroes: an itinerant blind masseur who also happens to be
a lightning-fast swordsman. As this iconic figure, the charismatic
and earthy Shintaro Katsu became an instant superstar, lending a
larger-than-life presence to the thrilling adventures of a man who
lives staunchly by a code of honor and delivers justice in every
town and village he enters. The films that feature him are variously
pulse-pounding, hilarious, stirring, and completely off-the-wall.
This deluxe set features the string of twenty-five Zatoichi films
made between 1962 and 1973, collected in one package for the
first time.
7
8
9
Zatoichi’s
Flashing Sword
Fight, Zatoichi
Fight
Adventures of
Zatoichi
10. ZATOICHI’S REVENGE
Akira Inoue 1965
Nearing the village of his sensei, Zatoichi decides to pay the teacher a visit, only
to learn that he has been murdered and his daughter forced into prostitution.
12. ZATOICHI AND THE CHESS EXPERT
Kenji Misumi 1965
Kenji Misumi, who directed the first installment of the Zatoichi series, returns with
this tale in which the blind swordsman once again finds himself the protector
of a child: a little girl pursued by both devious family members and bloodthirsty
ruffians.
The Criterion Collection
11. ZATOICHI AND THE DOOMED MAN
Kazuo Mori 1965
An elderly prisoner accused of murder begs Zatoichi to find evidence of his
innocence. The blind swordsman, for the first time, chooses not to help, but fate
has other plans for him.
Zatoichi: The Blind Swordsman (Set 4)
Zatoichi: The Blind Swordsman
The colossally popular Zatoichi films make up the longest-running
action series in Japanese history and created one of the screen’s
great heroes: an itinerant blind masseur who also happens to be
a lightning-fast swordsman. As this iconic figure, the charismatic
and earthy Shintaro Katsu became an instant superstar, lending a
larger-than-life presence to the thrilling adventures of a man who
lives staunchly by a code of honor and delivers justice in every
town and village he enters. The films that feature him are variously
pulse-pounding, hilarious, stirring, and completely off-the-wall.
This deluxe set features the string of twenty-five Zatoichi films
made between 1962 and 1973, collected in one package for the
first time.
10
11
12
Zatoichi’s
Revenge
Zatoichi and the
Doomed Man
Zatoichi and the
Chess Expert
13. ZATOICHI’S VENGEANCE
Tokuzo Tanaka 1966
Zatoichi encounters a dying man, who asks the itinerant masseur to deliver a bag
of money to his young son; he agrees to fulfill the request, finding the boy in a
village terrorized by criminals.
15. ZATOICHI’S CANE SWORD
Kimiyoshi Yasuda 1967
Wearying of his wandering lifestyle, Zatoichi yearns to settle down; unfortunately,
when he does so it’s in a town overrun by yakuza. He has an eye-opening
encounter with the town’s blacksmith, who reveals himself to be the apprentice of
the man who forged Zatoichi’s legendary cane sword.
The Criterion Collection
14. ZATOICHI’S PILGRIMAGE
Kazuo Ikehiro 1966
Troubled by his violent past, Zatoichi begins a journey to a series of shrines for
a dose of cleansing spirituality. But as always, trouble isn’t far behind, and the
blind swordsman soon finds himself defending a widow from the self-interest of
ruthless thugs and despicable townsfolk.
Zatoichi: The Blind Swordsman (Set 5)
Zatoichi: The Blind Swordsman
The colossally popular Zatoichi films make up the longest-running
action series in Japanese history and created one of the screen’s
great heroes: an itinerant blind masseur who also happens to be
a lightning-fast swordsman. As this iconic figure, the charismatic
and earthy Shintaro Katsu became an instant superstar, lending a
larger-than-life presence to the thrilling adventures of a man who
lives staunchly by a code of honor and delivers justice in every
town and village he enters. The films that feature him are variously
pulse-pounding, hilarious, stirring, and completely off-the-wall.
This deluxe set features the string of twenty-five Zatoichi films
made between 1962 and 1973, collected in one package for the
first time.
13
14
15
Zatoichi’s
Vengeance
Zatoichi’s
Pilgramage
Zatoichi’s
Cane Sword
16. ZATOICHI THE OUTLAW
Satsuo Yamamoto 1967
Zatoichi arrives in a town where a gambling house is kidnapping its poor, debtridden patrons. A rival establishment moves to pay those debts and free the
peasants, but this second house’s seemingly altruistic boss is actually laying the
groundwork for a ruthless money-grabbing scheme.
18. ZATOICHI AND THE FUGITIVES
Kimiyoshi Yasuda 1968
The wandering swordsman finds himself in a small village that serves as hideout
for a band of fugitives who control the town officials and enforce brutal slave
labor in the local silk mill.
The Criterion Collection
17. ZATOICHI CHALLENGED
Kenji Misumi 1967
A dying woman begs Zatoichi to reunite her son with the father he has never met,
but when the blind masseur searches for the man, he discovers that he has been
forced by a local yakuza boss to pay off his gambling debts in an unusual way: by
painting illegal erotica.
Zatoichi: The Blind Swordsman (Set 6)
Zatoichi: The Blind Swordsman
The colossally popular Zatoichi films make up the longest-running
action series in Japanese history and created one of the screen’s
great heroes: an itinerant blind masseur who also happens to be
a lightning-fast swordsman. As this iconic figure, the charismatic
and earthy Shintaro Katsu became an instant superstar, lending a
larger-than-life presence to the thrilling adventures of a man who
lives staunchly by a code of honor and delivers justice in every
town and village he enters. The films that feature him are variously
pulse-pounding, hilarious, stirring, and completely off-the-wall.
This deluxe set features the string of twenty-five Zatoichi films
made between 1962 and 1973, collected in one package for the
first time.
16
17
18
Zatoichi
the Outlaw
Zatoichi
Challenged
Zatoichi and
the Fugitives
19. SAMARITAN ZATOICHI
Kenji Misumi 1968
Hired by a yakuza boss to eliminate an accused debtor, Zatoichi fulfills his
task, only to witness the victim’s sister paying the owed amount minutes later.
When the crime lord tries to possess the woman along with the cash, the blind
swordsman wrestles with the injustice he has caused.
21. ZATOICHI GOES TO THE FIRE FESTIVAL
Kenji Misumi 1970
Cowritten by star Shintaro Katsu, this adventure pits Zatoichi against one of his
most diabolical foes: a blind yakuza boss whose reign of terror and exploitation
has made him nearly mythic.
The Criterion Collection
20. ZATOICHI MEETS YOJIMBO
Kihachi Okamoto 1970
Zatoichi treks to a village that has always been a favorite spot of his, only to
discover that it’s become a living hell, plagued by feuding father and son yakuza
as well as the younger crime boss’s bodyguard—Toshiro Mifune’s scruffy, smartmouthed, cash-hungry Yojimbo of legend.
Zatoichi: The Blind Swordsman (Set 7)
Zatoichi: The Blind Swordsman
The colossally popular Zatoichi films make up the longest-running
action series in Japanese history and created one of the screen’s
great heroes: an itinerant blind masseur who also happens to be
a lightning-fast swordsman. As this iconic figure, the charismatic
and earthy Shintaro Katsu became an instant superstar, lending a
larger-than-life presence to the thrilling adventures of a man who
lives staunchly by a code of honor and delivers justice in every
town and village he enters. The films that feature him are variously
pulse-pounding, hilarious, stirring, and completely off-the-wall.
This deluxe set features the string of twenty-five Zatoichi films
made between 1962 and 1973, collected in one package for the
first time.
19
20
21
Samaritan
Zatoichi
Zatoichi
Meets Yojimbo
Zatoichi Goes
to the Fire Festival
22. ZATOICHI MEETS THE ONE-ARMED SWORDSMAN
Kimiyoshi Yasuda 1971
It’s East meets East when one of Japan’s action idols crosses paths with an
iconic kung-fu hero from Hong Kong.
24. ZATOICHI IN DESPERATION
Shintaro Katsu 1972
Star Shintaro Katsu sits in the director’s chair for this psychedelic and
unremittingly bleak entry in the Zatoichi series, which is unlike any other in its
grind-house grimness.
The Criterion Collection
23. ZATOICHI AT LARGE
Kazuo Mori 1972
Zatoichi comes across a pregnant woman dying from sword wounds and helps
deliver her baby. Her final request to him: take the boy to see his father.
Zatoichi: The Blind Swordsman (Set 8)
Zatoichi: The Blind Swordsman
The colossally popular Zatoichi films make up the longest-running
action series in Japanese history and created one of the screen’s
great heroes: an itinerant blind masseur who also happens to be
a lightning-fast swordsman. As this iconic figure, the charismatic
and earthy Shintaro Katsu became an instant superstar, lending a
larger-than-life presence to the thrilling adventures of a man who
lives staunchly by a code of honor and delivers justice in every
town and village he enters. The films that feature him are variously
pulse-pounding, hilarious, stirring, and completely off-the-wall.
This deluxe set features the string of twenty-five Zatoichi films
made between 1962 and 1973, collected in one package for the
first time.
22
23
24
Zatoichi Meets the
One-Armed Swordsman
Zatoichi
at Large
Zatoichi
in Desperation
25. ZATOICHI’S CONSPIRACY
Kimiyoshi Yasuda 1973
Capping off Zatoichi’s feature film era before he made the transition to television
in 1974, this chapter is suffused with melancholy, closing the series on a note of
seriousness and emotional heft that it has well earned.
The Criterion Collection
Zatoichi: The Blind Swordsman (Set 9)
Zatoichi: The Blind Swordsman
The colossally popular Zatoichi films make up the longest-running
action series in Japanese history and created one of the screen’s
great heroes: an itinerant blind masseur who also happens to be
a lightning-fast swordsman. As this iconic figure, the charismatic
and earthy Shintaro Katsu became an instant superstar, lending a
larger-than-life presence to the thrilling adventures of a man who
lives staunchly by a code of honor and delivers justice in every
town and village he enters. The films that feature him are variously
pulse-pounding, hilarious, stirring, and completely off-the-wall.
This deluxe set features the string of twenty-five Zatoichi films
made between 1962 and 1973, collected in one package for the
first time.
25
Zatoichi’s
Conspiracy
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