Zatôichi: The Blind Swordsman Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		3.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		2.5
Overall		4.0

Zatôichi: The Blind Swordsman Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov January 1, 2009

Winner of the Best Director award at the Venice International Film Festival, Takeshi Kitano’s “Zatoichi” (2003) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of UK-based Artificial Eye. Beautifully-lensed and surprisingly sarcastic, the film retells a popular story with an impressive emphasis on period detail. In Japanese, with optional English subtitles for the main feature. Region-Free.

The masseuse

A blind masseuse and master-swordsman known as Zatoichi (Takeshi Kitano) arrives in a small town run by the ruthless Ginzo gang. Guarded by the skillful ronin Hatorri (Tadanobu Asano), the Ginzo goons begin blackmailing the locals and demand that they pay them a daily tax. Zatoichi, also a good gambler, runs into the Ginzo goons and all hell breaks loose. The story culminates with a dramatic clash between Hatorri and Zatoichi where one of them is left in a puddle of blood.

Mixing comedy with flashy action, Takeshi Kitano, better known as “Beat” Takeshi, surprised many of his hardcore fans with the release of Zatoichi. A period piece with an uncannily abstract look, this is a film that tells its story through stylistic juxtapositions Hollywood directors will have a terrible time deciphering. This is also true in regard to the stylish camerawork, which gives the film with the type of period finesse American directors were last seen producing during the early 70s.

The story, however, is not very impressive. Almost immediately after Zatoichi appears, it becomes obvious that he will be a powerful character whose challengers will suffer. The fact that he is blind also tells us that he is intelligent and capable of reading people better than those who can see. So, when Zatoichi’s opponents are identified by Kitano, the only thing that is unclear is how exactly they will be punished.

While the punishment footage is very nicely shot, particularly the bloody fights from the second half, what makes the film very attractive is its witty, frequently unorthodox humor. Indeed, at times Kitano’s jokes become so raunchy that it almost begins to look like they are delivered to satirize his famous character and opponents. As a result, the progression of several conflicts and the drama they are part of becomes quite unpredictable.

Nevertheless, the film does not evolve into a parody. On the contrary, its impressive emphasis on detail provides its story with an epic feel that materializes only in the most ambitious period films.

Zatôichi: The Blind Swordsman Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Takeshi Kitano's Zatoichi arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of UK-based distributors Artificial Eye.

Those of you who have already seen Zatoichi are probably well aware of the film's delicate color scheme. A variety of whites, grays, light blues, and greens, in addition to nuanced blacks, appear to be the key elements actor-director Takeshi Kitano has used to evoke the type of period look Zatoichi boasts. Interestingly enough, Artificial Eye's presentation looks quite different compared to some of the Asian DVD releases I have seen. The high-definition transfer is notably less color-saturated, but with slightly stronger contrast levels. Predictably, detail is much more convincing, while clarity, especially during the nighttime scenes, dramatically improved. However, I see the same amount of digital noise on this release that is obvious on other DVD releases of Zatoichi (including Artificial Eye's own DVD release). Specifically, during the second half of the film, where the two sisters arrive in the village, there are some obvious fluctuations which at this point I must conclude are present on the master that is in circulation amongst different distributors. Still, the overall quality of the presentation is very good. (Note: Even though this Blu-ray disc is marketed as Region-B, it is in fact Region-Free. However, its main is in PAL, which means that if your TV does not support PAL signal, or your Blu-ray player does not output PAL, you will not be able to access its content).

Zatôichi: The Blind Swordsman Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There are two audio tracks on this Blu-ray disc: Japanese DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and Japanese Dolby Digital 5.1. For the record, Artificial Eye have provided optional English subtitles for the main feature.

The gap in quality between the two tracks is substantial. The Japanese DTS-HD Master audio 5.1 track is arguably one of the best I've heard on a UK-produced disc -- it is incredibly potent, with an amazing amount of activity in the rear channels, and an impressive bass (it is quite surprising to hear so much bass oomph in a period film). Furthermore, the action scenes, the area of Zatoichi where you can truly hear the difference between the Japanese Dolby Digital 5.1 track and the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track, are indeed of near reference quality. The punchy enhancements the film supports come off the speakers with such intensity that you would think that the samurais are actually battling each other right in the middle of your room. Finally, the dialog is very easy to follow and I did not detect any pops or cracks to report here.

Zatôichi: The Blind Swordsman Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

The Blu-ray disc offers the same supplemental materials found on Artificial Eye's SDVD release of Zatoichi. Please keep in mind that all of them are in standard-def PAL: "Making of" documentary that sums up the production history of the film, "Creative team interviews – Takeshi Kitano, fight choreographer, production designer, director of photography, composer, dance choreographer & sound designer", and a theatrical trailer.

Zatôichi: The Blind Swordsman Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

A highly enjoyable film with good balance between style and substance, Zatoichi solidifies my conviction that Takeshi Kitano is one of Japan's most unique creative minds. His presence in front of the camera is as convincing and enjoyable as is his work behind it. The Blu-ray disc herein reviewed, courtesy of Artificial Eye, offers a relatively good upgrade over the DVD release of Zatoichi, which fans of the Takeshi Kitano should consider. Please keep in mind that the disc's main menu is in PAL. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.