Review of Zatoichi the Fugitive (1963) by Steve W — 21 Feb 2015

This is the first Zatoichi film that I have truly admired, the other installments are generic. While relaxing, Zatoichi kills an assassin and discovers there is a bounty on his head. While visiting the assassin's mother to appease everything, he gets involved in a family dispute with some criminal bosses who are fighting over territory.

What follows is a tragic yet action packed tale with Zatoichi being at his most vulnerable, emotionally and physically. The finale battle is very cinematic and well done, for one of the best entries in the Zatoichi series.