New Tale of Zatoichi - A Chance At Rebirth

Jul

6

New Tale of Zatoichi - A Chance At Rebirth

≡ Category: Action, Drama, Highly Recommended, Japan, Swordplay |
≅ Written by: Michael Kydonieus

Country: Japan
Genre: Action/ Drama/ Swordplay
Director: Tokuzô Tanaka
Year: 1963

Rating:

TRASH CINEMA HIGHLY RECOMMENDED MOVIE

In New Tale Of Zatoichi, the third in the long running series, our hero is beginning to have regrets about how his life has turned out. In particular, he is weary of killing. He decides to visit his hometown and his sensei to take stock.

However, the brother of Boss Kanbei, one of Zatoichi’s victims, is hot on his trail in pursuit of vengeance. In addition, Zatoichi’s sensei, Banno (Seizaburô Kawazu), is involved in a plot to extort a large sum of money from a rich merchant in order to finance government rebels, the Tengo group. Lastly, unbeknown to Zatoichi (Shintarô Katsu), the younger sister of his sensei, Yayoi (Mikiko Tsubouchi), is in love with him, and wants to make an honest man out of him.

Even if Zatoichi wants to renounce the life of a samurai, will fate allow him to?

As usual, the story of Zatoichi is very rich. We get a glimpse of daily life in the late Edo/early Meiji period, there’s politics involved, and several story strands intertwine. What makes this episode unique is that it explores Zatoichi’s character: his essential humility, his respect for his teacher, and his longing for a normal life. This very personal story gives star Shintarô Katsu a chance to give an unusually impassioned performance — he’s brilliant. As an added bonus, Katsu’s sword technique seems much improved from the first two entries in the series as well. He’s lightning fast.

As usual, the acting is top notch. The color cinematography by Chishi Makiura is unusually graceful and lovely, especially a walk through a bamboo forest and the final confrontation between Zatoichi and the Tengo group.

Finally, I have to mention the evocative score by Akira Ifukube. It doesn’t lean explicitly on Japanese folk themes, but does have a very Japanese character. It is unusually delicate and subtle, adjectives which could apply to the movie as a whole.

I am generally entertained by the movies in the Zatoichi series, but I was surprised to find myself moved several times, as in the courtship scenes between Zatoichi and Yayoi, or the scene in which Zatoichi, keeping his promise to Yayoi, refuses to defend himself with his sword when threatened with death by Boss Kanbei’s brother.

Highly recommended.