Review of Zatoichi and the Chest of Gold (1964) by Christopher B — 07 Dec 2013

My favorite Zatoichi up to this point, and a change in the style in several ways. The character development is still there but the style, especially in the introduction and in the use of fast movement speed and blood in the film.

In all the other Zatoichi films up to this point when multiple men are killed and slashed multiple times they simply fall down dead with not a mark on them. In Zatoichi and the Chest of Gold however, every slash seems to explode in blood and countless bodies are soaked in crimson, and it really adds to the realism.

I mean seeing people supposedly struck down with a katana means you are losing limbs and being sliced into pieces, so the blood is a welcome addition. The style is very theatrical in looks and I think it really adds to the film and it's themes quite well, and is a blast to watch!