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Zatoichi: The Blind Swordsman AKA The Tale of Zatoichi AKA Zatôichi monogatari (Blu-ray) (1962)
The adventures of a blind, gambling masseur who also happens to be a master swordsman.Director: Kenji Misumi
OVERALL: Draw-
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Extras:DISC ONE
* "The Tale of Zatoichi"
* "The Tale of Zatoichi Continues" (1962)
* "New Tale of Zatoichi" (1963)
DISC TWO
* "Zatoichi the Fugitive" (1963)
* "Zatoichi on the Road" (1963)
* "Zatoichi and the Chest of Gold" (1964)
DISC THREE
* "Zatoichi's Flashing Sword" (1964)
* "Fight, Zatoichi, Fight" (1964)
* "Adventures of Zatoichi" (1964)
DISC FOUR
* "Zatoichi's Revenge" (1965)
* "Zatoichi and the Doomed Man" (1965)
* "Zatoichi and the Chess Expert" (1965)
DISC FIVE
* "Zatoichi's Vengeance" (1966)
* "Zatoichi's Pilgrimage" (1966)
* "Zatoichi's Cane Sword" (1967)
DISC SIX
* "Zatoichi the Outlaw" (1967)
* "Zatoichi Challenged" (1967)
* "Zatoichi and the Fugitives" (1968)
DISC SEVEN
* "Samaritan Zatoichi" (1968)
* "Zatoichi Meets Yojimbo" (1970)
* "Zatoichi Goes to the Fire Festival" (1970)
DISC EIGHT
* "Zatoichi Meets the One-Armed Swordsman" (1971)
* "Zatoichi at Large" (1972)
* "Zatoichi in Desperation" (1972)
DISC NINE
* "Zatoichi's Conspiracy" (1973)
"The Blind Swordsman" 1978 documentary directed by John Nathan (57:37)
Interview with John Nathan (17:58)
"Serialized Success" interview with Asian-film critic Tony Rayns (27:13)
Trailers for all 25 films:
- "The Tale of Zatoichi" (1962) (2:13)
- "The Tale of Zatoichi Continues" (1962) (2:12)
- "New Tale of Zatoichi" (1963) (2:14)
- "Zatoichi the Fugitive" (1963) (2:08)
- "Zatoichi on the Road" (1963) (2:09)
- "Zatoichi and the Chest of Gold" (1964) (2:40)
- "Zatoichi's Flashing Sword" (1964) (2:13)
- "Fight, Zatoichi, Fight" (1964) (2:13)
- "Adventures of Zatoichi" (1964) (2:19)
- "Zatoichi's Revenge" (1965) (2:22)
- "Zatoichi and the Doomed Man" (1965) (2:38)
- "Zatoichi and the Chess Expert" (1965) (2:05)
- "Zatoichi's Vengeance" (1966) (2:16)
- "Zatoichi's Pilgrimage" (1966) (2:13)
- "Zatoichi's Cane Sword" (1967) (2:14)
- "Zatoichi the Outlaw" (1967) (3:21)
- "Zatoichi Challenged" (1967) (2:17)
- "Zatoichi and the Fugitives" (1968) (2:32)
- "Samaritan Zatoichi" (1968) (2:16)
- "Zatoichi Meets Yojimbo" (1970) (2:47)
- "Zatoichi Goes to the Fire Festival" (1970) (2:13)
- "Zatoichi Meets the One-Armed Swordsman" (1971) (2:14)
- "Zatoichi at Large" (1972) (3:03)
- "Zatoichi in Desperation" (1972) (3:10)
- "Zatoichi's Conspiracy" (1973) (3:19) -
Subtitles:English (optional)
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Aspect Ratio:2.35:1
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Picture Format:1080p24 AVC MPEG-4
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Soundtrack(s):Japanese LPCM 1.0
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Case type:Special Case
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Notes:Comes with a book featuring an essay by critic Geoffrey O'Brien; synopses of the films by critic, novelist, and musician Chris D.; "The Tale of Zatoichi," the original short story by Kan Shimozawa; and twenty-five new illustrations inspired by the films, by twenty-five different artists.
Extras are 1080p.
Also available in a 27-disc dual-format Blu-ray/DVD edition with 18 DVDs holding the same content in SD. -
Have you spotted a mistake in these specifications? If so, let us know via our forums. -
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Extras:DISC ONE "Zatoichi: The Blind Swordsman"
* The Film
"Zatoichi: The Birth of the Myth" 2023 interview with Fabien Mauro (29:52)
2004 introduction by filmmaker Takashi Miike (2:42)
"The Blind Swordsman: A Great Myth of Martial Arts Cinema" 2004 featurette (13:38)
DISC TWO "Destiny's Son"
* The Film
"Kenji Misumi: Edge of the Sword" 2004 interviews with actress Shiho Fujimura, production designer Akira Naito, assistant director Mitsuaki Tsuji and Masako Miwa (editor of raizofan.net) (32:04)
"A Poetically Charged Chambara" 2023 interview with Fabien Mauro (27:25)
DISC THREE "The Sword"
* The Film
"Cruel Tales of Bushido" 2023 interview with Fabien Mauro (23:07)
DISC FOUR "Sword Devil"
* The Film
"The Great Misfortunes of Power" 2023 interview with Fabien Mauro (21:11) -
Subtitles:French
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Aspect Ratio:2.35:1
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Picture Format:1080p24 AVC MPEG-4
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Soundtrack(s):Japanese DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mono
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Case type:Special Case
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Notes:Includes a 52 page booklet.
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Have you spotted a mistake in these specifications? If so, let us know via our forums. -
Buy this disc from
Amazon France
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Extras:Gallery (2:35)
Trailer (2:12)
Bonus Trailer for "The Tale of Zatoichi Continues" (2:39) -
Subtitles:German
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Aspect Ratio:2.35:1
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Picture Format:1080p24 AVC MPEG-4
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Soundtrack(s):Japanese DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mono
German DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mono -
Case type:Keep Case
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Notes:Standard reissue of the Mediacs limited edition.
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Have you spotted a mistake in these specifications? If so, let us know via our forums. -
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Extras:DISC ONE (Blu-ray)
* The Film
Gallery (2:35)
Trailer (2:12)
Bonus Trailer for "The Tale of Zatoichi Continues" (2:39)
DISC TWO (DVD Copy) -
Subtitles:German
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Aspect Ratio:2.35:1
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Picture Format:1080p24 AVC MPEG-4
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Soundtrack(s):Japanese DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mono
German DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mono -
Case type:Mediabook
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Notes:Includes a 20 page booklet with writing by Christian Koch.
Limited to 2000 copies. -
Have you spotted a mistake in these specifications? If so, let us know via our forums. -
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Extras:DISC ONE
* "The Tale of Zatoichi"
* "The Tale of Zatoichi Continues" (1962)
* "New Tale of Zatoichi" (1963)
DISC TWO
* "Zatoichi the Fugitive" (1963)
* "Zatoichi on the Road" (1963)
* "Zatoichi and the Chest of Gold" (1964)
DISC THREE
* "Zatoichi's Flashing Sword" (1964)
* "Fight, Zatoichi, Fight" (1964)
* "Adventures of Zatoichi" (1964)
DISC FOUR
* "Zatoichi's Revenge" (1965)
* "Zatoichi and the Doomed Man" (1965)
* "Zatoichi and the Chess Expert" (1965)
DISC FIVE
* "Zatoichi's Vengeance" (1966)
* "Zatoichi's Pilgrimage" (1966)
* "Zatoichi's Cane Sword" (1967)
DISC SIX
* "Zatoichi the Outlaw" (1967)
* "Zatoichi Challenged" (1967)
* "Zatoichi and the Fugitives" (1968)
DISC SEVEN
* "Samaritan Zatoichi" (1968)
* "Zatoichi Meets Yojimbo" (1970)
* "Zatoichi Goes to the Fire Festival" (1970)
DISC EIGHT
* "Zatoichi Meets the One-Armed Swordsman" (1971)
* "Zatoichi at Large" (1972)
* "Zatoichi in Desperation" (1972)
DISC NINE
* "Zatoichi's Conspiracy" (1973)
"The Blind Swordsman" 1978 documentary directed by John Nathan (57:37)
Interview with John Nathan (17:58)
"Serialized Success" interview with Asian-film critic Tony Rayns (27:13)
Trailers for all 25 films:
- "The Tale of Zatoichi" (1962) (2:13)
- "The Tale of Zatoichi Continues" (1962) (2:12)
- "New Tale of Zatoichi" (1963) (2:14)
- "Zatoichi the Fugitive" (1963) (2:08)
- "Zatoichi on the Road" (1963) (2:09)
- "Zatoichi and the Chest of Gold" (1964) (2:40)
- "Zatoichi's Flashing Sword" (1964) (2:13)
- "Fight, Zatoichi, Fight" (1964) (2:13)
- "Adventures of Zatoichi" (1964) (2:19)
- "Zatoichi's Revenge" (1965) (2:22)
- "Zatoichi and the Doomed Man" (1965) (2:38)
- "Zatoichi and the Chess Expert" (1965) (2:05)
- "Zatoichi's Vengeance" (1966) (2:16)
- "Zatoichi's Pilgrimage" (1966) (2:13)
- "Zatoichi's Cane Sword" (1967) (2:14)
- "Zatoichi the Outlaw" (1967) (3:21)
- "Zatoichi Challenged" (1967) (2:17)
- "Zatoichi and the Fugitives" (1968) (2:32)
- "Samaritan Zatoichi" (1968) (2:16)
- "Zatoichi Meets Yojimbo" (1970) (2:47)
- "Zatoichi Goes to the Fire Festival" (1970) (2:13)
- "Zatoichi Meets the One-Armed Swordsman" (1971) (2:14)
- "Zatoichi at Large" (1972) (3:03)
- "Zatoichi in Desperation" (1972) (3:10)
- "Zatoichi's Conspiracy" (1973) (3:19) -
Subtitles:English (optional)
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Aspect Ratio:2.35:1
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Picture Format:1080p24 AVC MPEG-4
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Soundtrack(s):Japanese LPCM 1.0
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Case type:Special Case
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UPC Number:5050629258738
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Notes:Comes with a book featuring an essay by critic Geoffrey O'Brien; synopses of the films by critic, novelist, and musician Chris D.; "The Tale of Zatoichi," the original short story by Kan Shimozawa; and twenty-five new illustrations inspired by the films, by twenty-five different artists.
Extras are 1080p. -
Have you spotted a mistake in these specifications? If so, let us know via our forums. -
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-
Extras:DISC ONE
* "The Tale of Zatoichi"
* "The Tale of Zatoichi Continues" (1962)
* "New Tale of Zatoichi" (1963)
DISC TWO
* "Zatoichi the Fugitive" (1963)
* "Zatoichi on the Road" (1963)
* "Zatoichi and the Chest of Gold" (1964)
DISC THREE
* "Zatoichi's Flashing Sword" (1964)
* "Fight, Zatoichi, Fight" (1964)
* "Adventures of Zatoichi" (1964)
DISC FOUR
* "Zatoichi's Revenge" (1965)
* "Zatoichi and the Doomed Man" (1965)
* "Zatoichi and the Chess Expert" (1965)
DISC FIVE
* "Zatoichi's Vengeance" (1966)
* "Zatoichi's Pilgrimage" (1966)
* "Zatoichi's Cane Sword" (1967)
DISC SIX
* "Zatoichi the Outlaw" (1967)
* "Zatoichi Challenged" (1967)
* "Zatoichi and the Fugitives" (1968)
DISC SEVEN
* "Samaritan Zatoichi" (1968)
* "Zatoichi Meets Yojimbo" (1970)
* "Zatoichi Goes to the Fire Festival" (1970)
DISC EIGHT
* "Zatoichi Meets the One-Armed Swordsman" (1971)
* "Zatoichi at Large" (1972)
* "Zatoichi in Desperation" (1972)
DISC NINE
* "Zatoichi's Conspiracy" (1973)
"The Blind Swordsman" 1978 documentary directed by John Nathan (57:37)
Interview with John Nathan (17:58)
"Serialized Success" interview with Asian-film critic Tony Rayns (27:13)
Trailers for all 25 films:
- "The Tale of Zatoichi" (1962) (2:13)
- "The Tale of Zatoichi Continues" (1962) (2:12)
- "New Tale of Zatoichi" (1963) (2:14)
- "Zatoichi the Fugitive" (1963) (2:08)
- "Zatoichi on the Road" (1963) (2:09)
- "Zatoichi and the Chest of Gold" (1964) (2:40)
- "Zatoichi's Flashing Sword" (1964) (2:13)
- "Fight, Zatoichi, Fight" (1964) (2:13)
- "Adventures of Zatoichi" (1964) (2:19)
- "Zatoichi's Revenge" (1965) (2:22)
- "Zatoichi and the Doomed Man" (1965) (2:38)
- "Zatoichi and the Chess Expert" (1965) (2:05)
- "Zatoichi's Vengeance" (1966) (2:16)
- "Zatoichi's Pilgrimage" (1966) (2:13)
- "Zatoichi's Cane Sword" (1967) (2:14)
- "Zatoichi the Outlaw" (1967) (3:21)
- "Zatoichi Challenged" (1967) (2:17)
- "Zatoichi and the Fugitives" (1968) (2:32)
- "Samaritan Zatoichi" (1968) (2:16)
- "Zatoichi Meets Yojimbo" (1970) (2:47)
- "Zatoichi Goes to the Fire Festival" (1970) (2:13)
- "Zatoichi Meets the One-Armed Swordsman" (1971) (2:14)
- "Zatoichi at Large" (1972) (3:03)
- "Zatoichi in Desperation" (1972) (3:10)
- "Zatoichi's Conspiracy" (1973) (3:19) -
Subtitles:English (optional)
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Aspect Ratio:2.35:1
-
Picture Format:1080p24 AVC MPEG-4
-
Soundtrack(s):Japanese LPCM 1.0
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Case type:Special Case
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UPC Number:5050629258721
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Notes:Comes with a book featuring an essay by critic Geoffrey O'Brien; synopses of the films by critic, novelist, and musician Chris D.; "The Tale of Zatoichi," the original short story by Kan Shimozawa; and twenty-five new illustrations inspired by the films, by twenty-five different artists.
Extras are 1080p. -
Have you spotted a mistake in these specifications? If so, let us know via our forums. -
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OVERALL: Draw
The Criterion releases have some exclusive extras. Only region differences.
The French release has its own exclusive extras.
Note that the original UK set had one disc locked to region A rather than region B, and whilst the reissued set rectifies this that it includes optical censorship on one of the films on that disc (Zatoichi and the Fugitives).
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CUTS:
- Blu-ray A America- Criterion Collection - No cuts (96:20).
- Blu-ray B Kenji Misumi - La Lame à l'œil France- The Jokers - No cuts (96:04)
- Blu-ray B Germany- Plaion Pictures - No cuts (96:09)
- Blu-ray B Limited Edition Germany- Mediacs - No cuts (96:09)
- Blu-ray B OOP ORIGINAL, INCORRECT REGION FOR DISC SIX United Kingdom- Criterion Collection - No cuts (96:20).
- Blu-ray B REISSUE United Kingdom- Criterion Collection - No cuts (96:20).
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Comparison added by Samuel_Scott on 03/08/14
Comparison last updated by James-Masaki_Ryan on 14/11/23UPDATE LOG:
03/08/14: Initial entry.
Please ensure you read our disclaimer.
26/12/14: Updated runtime to minutes/seconds, added DVDBeaver link.
20/08/18: Added UK release, updated comparison, corrected typo.
16/03/19: Added UK reissue, overall note.
13/11/23: Added France.
14/11/23: Added Germany x2.
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