Zatôichi rôyaburi (1967)

Top comments

1. 

   Siskoid

   With Zatoichi the Outlaw, star Shintarō Katsu gains more control over the character he's been playing for now over 15 films, making it under his own production company. The changes take getting used to, and it remains to be seen (well, from my perspective) if some of this is directorially driven or will remain a part of the franchise. First was the look, which had oppressive highly saturated blacks. Grittier, but also cheaper-looking. Then there's the level of violence, which makes sense given Katsu would later produce Lone Wolf and Cub movies, but it's almost off-putting how much blood, torture, and dismemberment there is in this one compared to the rest of the franchise. Weirdly, Ichi seemed out-of-character to me, more vicious and threatening, though he does acknowledge he's lost his way, so in the end, I decided this was just a moral bump in the road to contrast him with the peacenik community leader in the story. AS a story, there are things in Outlaw I would not part from (like the musical performance after Ichi tries to go "straight"), but while I respect its attempt at telling a story that takes place over a longer time frame, it did feel over-full of characters, a point made by the necessary double-climax to the film. 3 years 8 months ago
2. 

   Lonewolf2003

   Aka Zatoichi the Outlaw 6 years 1 month ago

See all comments

Friends

Login to see which of your friends have seen this movie!