Having escaped, Omiya and Arita are sent flying backwards by landmines set by the guerillas. Once again, they must confront their superiors.Read More »
Shintarô Katsu
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Tokuzô Tanaka – Zoku heitai yakuza AKA Hoodlum Soldier and the C.O. (1965)
Tokuzô Tanaka1961-1970AsianJapanWar -
Yasuzô Masumura – Yakuza zesshô AKA A Fine Yakuza Song AKA The Final Payoff (1970)
Yasuzô Masumura1961-1970AsianCrimeJapanA yakuza member’s half-sister means much more to him, in a film that repeatedly depicts realities other than what normal societal rules allow. The overly protective and loving brother; however, soon has to contend with his sister falling for and dating her school teacher, but there is not much he can do about it if he is going to land in jail for stepping outside the bounds of the law.Read More »
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Yasuzo Masumura – Akumyo: shima arashi AKA Bad Reputation: Notorious Dragon (1974)
1971-1980AsianCrimeJapanYasuzô MasumuraQuote:
Set in 1937, this is the story of Asakichi, who is played by Shiuntaro Katsu, best known as being Zatoichi in 26 films. Asakichi has been disowned by his father for gambling, so he heads off to make his living in cockfighting. He, in quick order, wins some money, takes up with a fallen geisha and quickly comes in conflict with the yakuza. Besting their top man, Asakichi, is drawn into the life of a yakuza despite his efforts to remain outside of it.Read More » -
Akio Jissôji – Teito monogatari AKA Tokyo: The Last Megalopolis (1988)
1981-1990Akio JissojiAsianJapanSci-FiA demonic reincarnation of a Japanese general from the 10th century appears in the early 20th century Tokyo with a mission to destroy the blooming city.Read More »
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Satsuo Yamamoto – Zatôichi rôyaburi AKA Zatoichi the Outlaw (1967)
1961-1970ActionJapanMartial ArtsSatsuo YamamotoSynopsis:
When a local gambling house kidnaps some peasants because they failed to pay their debts, a rival gambling house pays their debts and sets them free. But it’s really all just a plot to enlist Ichi’s aid in eliminating the competition. Once that’s been attended to, the master of the surviving house of chance grabs more and more power – and more cash from the hapless farmers. Even a blind man can see that justice must be done.Read More » -
Kenji Misumi – Zatôichi kenka-daiko AKA Samaritan Zatoichi (1968)
1961-1970ActionJapanKenji MisumiMartial ArtsSynopsis
Zatoichi is forced to kill a young man who owes a debt to a yakuza boss. Moments later, his sister Osode arrives with the money she earned (prostituting herself) to pay his debts. The bosses true motives are revealed and he attempts to steal Osode even though the debt is paid. Zatoichi realizes his grievous error and protects the girl from the gang. Osode and Zatoichi are caught in a dilemma as she must rely on her brother’s killer for protection and Zatoichi wrestles with the injustice he has caused.Read More » -
Kimiyoshi Yasuda – Shin zatô Ichi: Yabure! Tôjin-ken AKA Zatoichi Meets the One-Armed Swordsman (1971)
1971-1980ActionJapanKimiyoshi YasudaMartial ArtsSynopsis:
Zatoichi the blind masseur and crack swordsman finds trouble in the edge of town in this 22nd installment of the classic samurai film series. When Zatoichi confronts the master Chinese martial artist Wang Kang and his young traveling companion, the blind swordsman finds that the duo are trying to escape from a group of terroristic samurai who have killed the boy’s parents. Zatoichi agrees to help them, but the rescue becomes complicated when he must rescue not only Wang Kang and the boy, but also everyone who they meet along the way!Read More » -
Kimiyoshi Yasuda – Shin Zatôichi monogatari: Kasama no chimatsuri AKA Zatoichi’s Conspiracy AKA Zatoichi at the Blood Fest (1973)
1971-1980ActionJapanKimiyoshi YasudaMartial ArtsZatoichi returns to his home village for the first time in over ten years to find much has changed and that corruption abounds.Read More »
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Kihachi Okamoto – Zatôichi to Yôjinbô AKA Zatoichi Meets Yojimbo (1970)
1961-1970ActionJapanKihachi OkamotoMartial ArtsSynopsis:
This film brings together two of the greatest characters created in Japanese cinema. Zatoichi (Shintaro Katsu) is the blind swordsman who goes back to a village that he remembers as peaceful and tranquil. It has been two to three years since his last visit and he longs to get away from the constant attacks that plague him on a daily basis, as he has a price on his head. But all is not as he remembers. When he arrives to his beloved village, he finds it is torn between a father and son that have their own gangs involved in their own family feud. As a result, the village is torn between the two men as the son seeks his father’s gold (which may or may not exist).Read More »