Criterion Close-Up – Episode 48 – Zatoichi: The Blind Swordsman

Podcast: Download (Duration: 1:39:40 — 91.5MB)

Mark and Aaron are joined by Dave Eves to evaluate the massive Zatoichi serial starring Shintaro Katsu. We explore the character of Zatoichi, and how he’s an unusual type of superhero. We also share tips on the best way to watch the series, whether a little bit at a time or to go on a binge-watch. We evaluate the series as both a piece of art and as pop culture, observing the high and low points.

About the film:

The colossally popular Zatoichi films make up the longest-running action series in Japanese history and created one of the screen’s great heroes: an itinerant blind masseur who also happens to be a lightning-fast swordsman. As this iconic figure, the charismatic and earthy Shintaro Katsu became an instant superstar, lending a larger-than-life presence to the thrilling adventures of a man who lives staunchly by a code of honor and delivers justice in every town and village he enters. The films that feature him are variously pulse-pounding, hilarious, stirring, and completely off-the-wall. This deluxe set features the string of twenty-five Zatoichi films made between 1962 and 1973, collected in one package for the first time.

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Episode Links & Notes

Special Guest: Dave Eves from Cinema Versus. You can follow him on Twitter.

0:00 – Intro and Welcome Dave!

2:10 – Dave’s Criterion Connection Redux

5:00 – Short Takes (Love on the Run, The Cook the Thief his Wife and Her Lover, Cléo From 5 to 7)

17:35 – Zatoichi: The Blind Swordsman

• Short Cut 3: Night and the City with Dave Eves
• InSession Film Podcast 183: Settling the Score
• Aaron’s Zatoichi Letterboxd list
• Dave’s Zatoichi Letterboxd list
• Criterion Blues – Zatoichi discs 1-3
• Criterion Blues – Zatoichi disc 4
• Criterion Blues – Zatoichi disc 5
• Criterion Blues – Zatoichi disc 6

Episode Credits

• Mark Hurne: Twitter | Letterboxd
• Aaron West: Twitter | Blog | Letterboxd
• Criterion Close-Up: Facebook | Twitter | Email
• Music from Ben Model: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Next time on the podcast: Appreciation of a Boutique Label