Zatoichi’s Flashing Sword (1964)

Zatoichi’s Flashing Sword (Zatoichi abare tako)
Directed by Kazuo Ikehiro
Written by Shozaburo Asai and Minoru Inuzuka; story by Kan Shimozawa
1964/Japan
Daiei Studios
First viewing/FilmStruck

[box] Zatoichi: [after trapping Yakuza Boss Yasugoro into a corner] They say when you stutter like that, you’re ready to be killed.[/box]

Still eating these Zatoichi movies up!

Blind Ichi is wounded by gunfire.  A gentle girl and her good guy yakuza boss father nurse him to health.  Ichi must protect them against a rival gang that wants to steal their ferry business.  This he does with gusto.

I’ve been thinking about similarities between these and the Bond franchise.  Charismatic hero – check; babe magnet – check; invincible – check.  Of course in every other way they couldn’t be more different.  My favorite part may be that despite all the violence there is never really any doubt that good will prevail over evil.  This one has one of the most thoroughly evil yakuza bosses yet.

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