Shin Zatôichi monogatari: Oreta tsue (1972)

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   Siskoid

   Shintarō Katsu takes a shot at directing himself in Zatoichi in Desperation, and proves to be quite an inventive film maker - perhaps this is what happens when you don't have many opportunities and just throw all your ideas into the same film - offering up a Zatoichi movie that looks quite unlike the others but is still of a piece with the rest. Edgy handheld well serves what must be the bleakest chapter in the series yet. It almost sets itself up to be the last, letting the audience believe this is it for their favorite blind swordsman. Haunted by an accidental death on the road, Ichi is desperate to make amends and save the victim's daughter from a life of indentured servitude, but it's no easy task when the local yakuza turn out to be among the most evil the series has produced, with a couple of subplots seemingly only there to showcase their cruelty, not entirely connecting with the main story. Powerful anti-triumph. Katsu also allows his effort to have frank sexual situations, which also sets it apart from most of the canon. A strong entry very near the end, making it kind of surprising Katsu didn't direct more than three movies total. 3 years 8 months ago

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