Zatoichi In Desperation
Dir: Shintaro Katsu
1972
****
Zatoichi in desperation, the twenty-fourth film in the series, is aptly titled. This is a rather unique Zatoichi film as it comments on so many sociological issues; the frustration that comes when it is realized that sometimes you cannot save people who don't want to be saved. It could have been called Zatoichi in Frustration. This one also has the edge on many of the others due to its superior visuals. The editing during the scene where the lady falls from the bridge and the subsequent flashbacks are brilliant. The franchise seemed to hit a real peak in the last few films and it seems they left it on a high-note. This would be the penultimate film of the original series, although Shintaro Katsu did return to the role in 1989 for the twenty-sixth and final film, after a sixteen year gap. A fantastic film, although I'm still not sure about that 'Wanking off a retard' scene though.

Zatoichi's Conspiracy (AKA Zatoichi at the Blood Fest)
Dir: Kimiyoshi Yasuda
1973
****
Zatoichi comes full circle and returns to his hometown after 20 years of wandering the land. This isn't technically the last film but as Shintaro Katsu returned for one last film 17 years later in 1989 but it is the last (and 25th) of the incredible series that produced 2, and on a couple of occasions 3 films a year and that lasted 11 years. It's a pretty good finale too, it really is a blood fest too as the action comes thick and fast towards the end and Zatoichi puts the humor to one side and really kicks some series backside. Takashi Shimura has a great supporting role too which was a nice surprise (although there is something weird about watching Ikuru getting his bottom kicked). A brilliant addition to the franchise.

Zatoichi Meets the One-Armed Swordsman
Dir: Kimiyoshi Yasuda
1971
****
Zatoichi Meets the One-Armed Swordsman, the 22nd Zatoichi film of the series, is a crossover film that sees Zatoichi fight the One-Armed Swordsman (who also had a popular series at the time) and also mixes the martial arts genres of Chambara and Wuxia. Jimmy Wang Yu is cool as the One-Armed Swordsman. Truth be known, he should have defeated Zatoichi with one hand behind his back and indeed two versions of the ending were made, one with Zatoichi winning and one with the One-Armed Swordsman winning. This felt almost like a Babykart vs. Babykart film, with the two men trying to protect the boy, alas as they say in the final scene, 'We could have been friends, but we spoke a different language". Someone has got to be top dog and we all love a 'versus' film, personally my loyalties are with Zatoichi.

The New Tale Of Zatoichi
Dir: Tokuzo Tanaka
1963
*****
The New Tale Of Zatoichi - Zatoichi's 3rd outing represents a new chapter - Zatoichi, now in colour! And how beautiful the colour is too. Although it is essentially the start of a new chapter for Zatoichi, his past does catch up with him. The character develops quite a fair bit here and this is much more than just a revenge/lets-kill-everyone-in-the-room-just-for-the-sake-of-it martial arts film. In fact, martial arts fans might not like it due the lack of fighting but then they would be missing the point somewhat. Zatoichi taking on his master is awesome. Why these films are so hard to get is beyond me, they are brilliant!

The Tale of Zatoichi Continues
Dir: Kazuo Mori
1962
****
An accomplished sequel to the brilliant first episode, not quite as good but the end scene with the showdown between the two brothers is awesome (they are real brothers too!). I also love the way Kazuo Mori cut the final segment, that alone shows what a great director he was.

The Tale of Zatoichi
Dir: Kenji Misumi
1962
*****
Zatoichi kicks ass. The first of an incredible 26 film series that had a TV series in the 70's and a handful of remakes since. Shintarô Katsu is Zatoichi, I'm the biggest Takeshi Kitano fan but his version has nothing on the original. Directed by Kenji Misumi who is probably more famous for the Lone Wolf and Cub / Baby cart films, this is an obvious influence on many a great film, not just Samurai films though I might add. If you're even vaguely interested in Samurai or eastern cinema, do yourself a favour and seek it out - then book a week off work to watch the next 25. You will not regret it.