The Tale of Zatoichi Continues (1962) User Reviews

A very worthy addition to the series

[planktonrules · 7/10 · 16 October 2007]

In the 1960s and 70s, the Japanese made about 500000 Zatoichi films (or so it seems) and I have thoroughly enjoyed them all, even though after a while they all seem to blend together in my mind. Some viewers, like me, will like the familiarity of the character and story, while I am sure others will feel like "if you've seen one you've seen them all". Regardless of your opinion, they are all well-constructed and fun to watch even if the basic premise of the greatest swordsman being totally blind is ridiculous--you just need to suspend disbelief and enjoy.

This is an early installment of the series and it's better than average because it actually has some continuity--making reference to the prior film in the series. Here, in a follow-up, you see Zatoichi pining for a long lost love and having an ultimate showdown with his main rival. Along the way, he falls afoul of a clan who is trying to kill him to keep their secret (their leader "has issues"). And, as usual, the film is filled with amazing sword fights as well as tender moments. This one won't disappoint and is one of the better Zatoichi films.

If only they'd have asked.

[Pjtaylor-96-138044 · 7/10 · 31 May 2020]

'The Tale Of Zatoichi Continues (1962)' works both as a stand-alone experience and a direct continuation of its predecessor, playing with similar themes but framing them through a lens soaked with regret. It's a shorter, more action-packed affair but it's still primarily a character study. The eponymous stoic swordsman unwillingly gets caught up in the kind of trouble that forces him to show off his skills, which tend to swiftly and decisively resolve his immediate issues. Most of his introspection surrounds the melancholy of the last movie's events. Towards the end, however, a new relationship is revealed that threatens to see history repeat itself. Katsu, who's still fantastic in the role, is joined by his brother - perhaps better known for the much pulpier 'Lone Wolf and Cub (1972-1976)' series - which results in most of the film's emotion. It's rather resonant, leaving the entire experience tinged in sadness. The focus on character is, essentially, what makes the film so successful. You care about all the major players and their struggles resonate with you. The narrative moves almost as swiftly as Zatoichi's sword, ultimately coming to an incredibly abrupt end, and it balances its tone perfectly. It isn't groundbreaking but it's very enjoyable. It's also very well-made. Its crisp black-and-white cinematography is often highlighted by stunning chiaroscuro lighting and absolutely perfect composition, its dialogue is to the point but never on the nose, and its acting is subtle but successful. When it comes to the action, the thing doesn't disappoint, either. Most of it is shot wide, allowing you to see every quick-moving moment uninterrupted, and the choreography dances between unbearable anticipation and samurai-slaying pay-off impeccably. It isn't perfectly clean, with the villains scrambling about in fear before they make their ill-fated attempt on our often almost clumsy but always keenly aware protagonist, which lends a lot of credence to the fact that it's supposed to involve a highly feared yet blind man. Overall, the picture is very entertaining. It won't change your life, but it'll make you smile more than once. 7/10

trying to break out

[bighouseaz · 7/10 · 2 January 2005]

Part 2 of the Zatoichi film is good cinema and a compelling story. New details of Zatoichi's life are revealed, but at times it feels as though Katsu Shintaro and director Mori Kazuo have trouble breaking out of the original story of film number 1 to move on to newer, fresher territory. Have patience, the Zatoichi series does break into new and fertile ground in later films.

Some people love trivia. Zatoichi's brother in the film (Yoshiro of Nagisa) is in fact played by Katsu Shintaro's actual brother, Wakayama Tomisaburo (credited here with the name Jo Kenzaburo). Katsu and sometime Zatoichi director Misumi Kenji will work together to produce and direct the best of the Baby Cart series starring Wakayama Tomisaburo as Itto Ogami in the 1970s.

Another common question is the early films is, where did Zatoichi get his sword? Zatoichi buries his sword in film number one with Hirate Miki. It's now one year later, so presumably Zatoichi has replaced the cane sword from film number 1 with a new sword that looks very similar. During the climatic scene in film number 2, Zatoichi drops his sword and hustles his now wounded brother into the safety of a creek, leaving his sword behind. He makes his last kill in film number 2 with another person's sword. Does Zatoichi somehow recover this sword to use it in film number 3?

There are some inconsistencies in the early films. At the beginning of the project, nobody in their wildest dreams could have believed that the series would eventually grow to 26 films.

Film number 2 is somewhat of a let-down compared to the great first film. It is a good film, with interesting information about Zatoichi's youth. Zatoichi also finds love (at least for one night).

Fast pace and deadly blades

[kluseba · 7/10 · 15 January 2018]

Even though it was only released a few months after the first movie, The Tale of Zatoichi, the second and last movie of the Zatoichi franchise shot in black and white, takes places exactly one year after the events of the first film and is directly related to it. It's nearly impossible to watch this movie independently as it complements the brilliant first strike accurately. Despite an overall faster pace, it has a more melancholy atmosphere due to the main character's goal to pay respects to his fallen friend and opponent and a moody soundtrack.

Zatoichi is on his way to pay respects at the grave of his friend Hirate whom he was forced to kill one year earlier. The movie has three different plots leading into one. First of all, Zatoichi is hired to massage a powerful lord but when he realizes that the nobleman is insane, he is tracked down by the lord's retainers and hired samurai who want to prevent Zatoichi from telling other people the truth about the lord's mental condition. Secondly, the movie follows a one-armed swordsman and his associate who claim to be samurai but are actually criminals on the run. Thirdly, the movie gives us some more details about the yakuza Zatoichi teamed up with in the first film who felt insulted by him and decide to track him down when they hear he is coming back to town. The movie has a twist that links the three story lines together and ends in a rather abrupt way but still manages to answer all essential questions in just seventy-two minutes.

If compared to the first film, this one has a much faster pace and features more spectacular sword fights. Zatoichi regularly faces big crowds on beaches and in gardens and shows off his precise skills in breathtaking manner. From that point of view, the vivid sequel is more spectacular than the first film. The characters have as much depth as in the first film as Zatoichi still proves he has a strong moral compass while he meets ruthless criminals, charming prostitutes and people somewhere in between on his way to his friend's and opponent's grave. The element that is less convincing than in the first film is the more fast-paced and at times slightly confusing story that feels rushed in just seventy-two minutes and doesn't develop as much depth as it could have requested.

If you are looking for breathtaking martial arts choreography, you might prefer this movie over the first film. If you are looking for a skilled plot with atmosphere and depth, the first movie is clearly superior. I personally prefer the more intellectual first film but must admit that the second one is definitely energizing and entertaining. It's positive that the sequel didn't just try to copy the style of the first film and tried out something different. Overall, it's a quite good movie that justifies the numerous sequels based upon the first Zatoichi film and that should please to any fan of Japanese culture and martial arts cinema.

Good!

[RodrigAndrisan · 10/10 · 27 June 2022]

Seen on YouTube in black and white and, checking on IMDb, it is in black and white. Beautiful music as usual, captivating story as usual, good acting and, especially, notable female beauties such as Masayo Banri and Yaeko Mizutani, two very beautiful Japanese women. Mixture inspired by drama and action, worth seeing.

First sequel of a great saga

[alucinecinefago · 15 May 2020]

The following review is an extract from the book "Shintaro Katsu´s Zatoichi: Complete guide to all movies", which is now available on Amazon.

Zatoichi (Shintaro Katsu), the famous and prodigious masseur and blind swordsman, has arrived in a new region after the adventures narrated in the first film. After confronting some arrogant soldiers, who throw him into the water when they discover him in the boat in which they were crossing a river, he is hired to massage the head of a samurai detachment. However, while he is doing this work, he indiscreetly discovers a secret of the lord ("I had never had a client like this one..."), so the samurai will persecute him with the intention of killing him.

(...)

Second part of a long line of films with the mythical blind masseur, hardened player and wandering swordsman Zatoichi as the protagonist. The actor who gives life to the character is, once again, the great Shintaro Katsu. The director of this second part is not Kenji Misumi, but another director (Kazuo Mori). The sequel to "Zatoichi monogatari" (shot the same year, 1962) is not at the same level as the original. There are some gaps in the story; for example, it is never quite clear why the samurai want to kill Zatoichi (What is the secret that the masseur has discovered about the lord? It must be such a big secret that not even the spectator has the right to know...

In any case, Zoku Zatôichi monogatari's viewing is a good opportunity to see Shintaro Katsu and Tomisaburo Wakayama (Zatoichi and Yoshiro, repectively), two greats of the sixties and seventies chambara, who were also brothers in real life.

Hyperdrive Mode

[kurosawakira · 7/10 · 19 January 2014]

Never mind the first film to take its time in introducing the character to us, of which I am glad that it didn't rush. Now that we and the others in the film "know" him ( although part of the fun is that nobody is really able to know him and his skill really) the film goes to hyperdrive mode straightaway.

It's fascinating to see this in retrospect, knowing it is a long franchise, and trying to map out the development and where the film and its success came from. Inthink the first film is strong because it takes its time in creating its own universe, simply so that the sequels don't have to work so hard in setting things up. It's nice, and so is the self-reference it allows both in humour and mythology, but the films quickly morph into each other. It doesn't seem to be a problem here, since aren't all series all about working for or against the set rules and archetypes in the previous films?

Anyway, I think the two films have very well set up Zatoichi's blindness as a metaphor, yet it's the first film that's more ambitiously conceived. In this respect these two first films are like "Yojimbo" and "Sanjuro", Kurosawa's duology. The last shot of this film, however, is one of the coolest film moments I know of. Seriously. That last five seconds.

Zatoichi is a blind masseur with real talent for swordplay!

[The_RaBBiT · 10/10 · 20 April 2001]

I love samurai movies, but the Zatoichi series takes a period of lawlessness and violence in Japan from the lofty realm of the Samurai nobility down to the ranks of the common people. They are great "slice of life" dramas about what life was like for a man who seems to have a devastating handicap during a time of turmoil which is very much like the wild, wild West in American culture. The offset to Zatoichi's handicap (his blindness) is that he is blessed with incredible perceptive abilities which include a level of swordsmanship that seems to surpass even Musashi Miyamoto's legendary skills. The time period appears to be several hundred years after Musashi lived in the 1500's, otherwise Zatoichi might have found his match - for no one else in Japan, no matter how many adversaries attack him simultaneously, can prevail over the blind master's incredible swordplay.

I like this movie because it shows the fencing style in great detail, and the viewer can truly appreciate Zatoichi's martial arts abilities. The story is also interesting, as it reveals some of the mysterious masseur's family background. This is the best movie in the series to see first because Zatoichi is very young in this story, and several of the events help explain events in later episodes.

There's a great deal of humor underlying the action, and Shintaro Katsu does an excellent job of portraying this quirky, noble, and ultimately very appealing character.

Zatoichi, mark two

[Zbigniew_Krycsiwiki · 7/10 · 19 May 2017]

With continuity directly linking it with its immediate predecessor ( released only five months and three weeks prior ) , and also holding a perfect 100 percent score on rotten tomatoes, this beautifully photographed ( in high contrast black and white, like its predecessor ) Zatoichi film is as good as that film was, even if the end scene is too abrupt, although it also shows just how quickly and efficiently Zatoichi fights. A double-edged sword, pun completely intended.

Hypnotically beautiful looking, I could easily tune out the plot, and just enjoy the visuals, and impressive swordplay. Sadly though, this second film is also the final film in this series to be shot in black and white, as the numerous continuation films were in colour.

Quite stunning

[inframan · 9/10 · 2 March 2002]

This movie is, I guess, the first of the very long & very excellent zato-ichi series starring the incomparable Shintaro Katsu who also starred in the shorter but every bit as impressive if quite different series: The Razor. I lived in San Francisco in the 1960s & 1970s & used to go watch these films every week at the Japanese theater in the old "Japan Town". Loved them then, love them now. This film in particular is a classic in every way: cinematographically it looks like Eisenstein - every shot a classic. The compositions, textures & tonalities are breathtakingly beautiful. Dramatically, it's every bit as gripping as Yojimbo or the best Ford westerns (e.g. Stagecoach). And finally the sword-fight choreography - None better. Terrific movie!

The Blind Master Draws His Sword

[drqshadow-reviews · 6/10 · 12 February 2022]

Roughly a year after his first run-in with the shady Yakuza types of small-town Japan, a notorious blind swordsman blows back into town seeking an encore. Actually, the hopeful pacifist Zatoichi is merely interested in paying his respects at the grave of a fallen comrade, the honorable samurai he out-dueled last time, but the shadier denizens of this corrupt village have long memories and see his visit as an opportunity for revenge.

While that drama plays out, Ichi makes enemies with a misbehaving prince, befriends a trio of prostitutes and crosses paths with another acquaintance: a one-armed former romantic rival who still carries a grudge. The latter is portrayed by Tomisaburo Wakayama, later known for his lead role in the Lone Wolf and Cub films (and star Shintaro Katsu's real-life brother), which makes his eventual duel with Ichi doubly interesting as a sort of unofficial pre-crossover. Not for the last time, either, as 1970 would produce a match between our blind protagonist and Toshirô Mifune's Yojimbo... but that's a topic for another time.

As The Tale Continues is concerned, I found it a mild step down from the first film. There's more action this time, and a much faster pace, but the additional subplots make for a less focused narrative and drain power from the larger developments and reveals of the third act. Another outstanding performance from Katsu, though, and wow, what a final shot!

Tale of Zatoichi Continues is an exceptional addition to the samurai genre

[kevin_robbins · 9/10 · 6 April 2024]

I recently watched Tale of Zatoichi Continues (1962) on YouTube. The storyline follows Zatoichi as he stumbles into the wrong town that's overrun by two gangs. Known for his massages and cunning card games, one of the gangs asks him to be their champion and take down their rivals. Refusing won't be easy, and even if he manages to escape, the other gang will still want him dead.

Directed by Kazuo Mori (Zatoichi and the Doomed Man) and starring the iconic Shintarô Katsu (Hanzo the Razor), Yaeko Mizutani (Sleepy Eyes of Death: Hell is a Woman), Masayo Banri (Zatoichi the Fugitive), and Yutaka Nakamura (Lone Wolf and Cub: Sword of Vengeance).

Shintarô Katsu delivers a remarkable performance, portraying Zatoichi with perfect expressions and mannerisms. He's impossible not to root for, especially as an outcast constantly picked on by others. The backdrops and settings authentically depict the era, immersing you in the universe. The action scenes are thrilling and meticulously choreographed, adding to the film's enjoyment.

In conclusion, Tale of Zatoichi Continues is an exceptional addition to the samurai genre. I would give it a score of 9/10 and highly recommend it.

Wimpy Sequel.

[net_orders · 4/10 · 23 September 2017]

THE TALE OF ZATOICHI CONTINUES / THE RETURN OF MASSEUR ICHI (ZOKU ZATÔICHI MONOGATARI). Viewed on Streaming. Restoration/preservation = eight (8) stars; cinematography = seven (7) stars; score = two (2) stars; choreography = two (2) stars. Director Kazuo Mori picks up the reins of an emerging franchise in a rushed follow-on film that is a pale imitation of the first outing (the original seems to have been released only a few months previously). The blind self-taught sword swinger who is a traveling masseur by trade (and provides rub downs only on fully-dressed customers!) continues to hang out in the same small village and effortlessly cuts down inept Yakusa gang members (while not slicing himself!), but conspicuously avoids Samurai soldiers who, of course, really know how to use their swords. For muddled/contrived reasons, the protagonist is chased all over the place by two warring gangs of Yakusa, a band of samurai, the police, and a besotted prostitute. (It's a bit of a challenge for the three interested viewers out there to distinguish between the tribes except that the Samurai are a bit better dressed and have cooler hair styles!) There are a fair number of disconnected scenes which look suspiciously like out-takes from the first film. Continuity is often lacking with a character's full costume changing from cut to cut. Cinematography (2.35 : 1, black and white) is good. The wide-screen format is fully utilized, there are a few interesting exterior tracking shots, a novel scene photographed so as to appear right at ground level, and nausea-inducing panning is minimal. Restoration/preservation is great. Subtitles are close enough. Signs are translated. Characters who survived in the original movie all seem to make a reappearance. Acting is fine (except for one silly addition), and actresses are given much more to do this time besides being part of the scenery. Choreography is again pretty inept with sword slashing mostly a joke made more humorous when stunt actors pause (for "dramatic" effect?) before falling over. This comes across as if performers are trying to make up their mind whether or not to collapse! There is an occasional glint of metal; so in this iteration some of the swords may be real? Score mostly employs a synthesizer and is undistinguished. A Daiei programmer not worth bothering with. WILLIAM FLANIGAN, PhD.

Good Film

[Michael_Elliott · 28 February 2008]

Return of Masseur Ichi, The (1962)

*** (out of 4)

Blind masseur Zatoichi (Shintaro Katsu) discovers the weakness of a lord and must fight off various assassins who fear he will give away that secret. This was a pretty interesting samurai film from director Kazuo Mori, which relies a lot on fantasy but most of all is just all action and nice swordplay. Katsu makes for a wonderful lead and the supporting roles are filled nicely. The cinematography stretched out the full 2.35:1 looks incredibly sharp and the fights are well staged even though I have a somewhat hard time seeing a blind person doing all that.

The Tale of Zatoichi Continues

[mevmijaumau · 7 January 2015]

There were seriously 25 Zatoichi films made in the time span of 1962 to 1973. Another, almost equally as amazing fact is that the second movie, The Tale of Zatoichi Continues, came out the exact same year as the first movie did. Naturally it's shorter, clocking in at one hour and ten minutes. It's directed by Kazuo Mori, best known for directing other Zatoichi films, and is the last Zatoichi film in B&W.

The plot of the second movie is way less engaging than the plot of its predecessor. This time we follow Ichi as he's tailed by a group of killers after learning a powerful political figure's secret as he was giving him a massage. It turns out the lord has some mental problems, and his retainers try to conceal this secret from people. There's also a subplot about Ichi's one-armed brother Yoshiro (played by Shintaro Katsu's own brother Tomisaburo Wakayama, credited as Jo Kenzaburo) who is actually a wanted criminal, and the film culminates with the face-off between the two brothers. There's also another subplot which has Ichi travel to a temple of the first movie's town to pay respect at the grave of the samurai from the first film. There he meets Tane (the girl from the previous movie) who's about to marry a carpenter.

The Tale of Zatoichi Continues follows some continuity by taking place a year after the events of the first movie, which is constantly referenced. One thing we learn about Zatoichi is that he had a soft spot for a girl named Chiyo, who left him for his brother (who then killed her). There's also a prostitute who has an one-night stand with Ichi at one point in the film.

The Tale of Zatoichi continues is nowhere near as interesting as its prequel, but there are occasional good sword fights to be found in here. This film is more action-oriented and you'll find yourself enjoying Zatoichi's ass-kicking escapades if you can suspend the disbelief that he's completely blind and yet unmatched in sword fights.

Even though this movie is forgettable and doesn't have much going for it, I must say the visuals are superior to the first film's visual outlook. The sequel sports some nice shots of characters by the water and the fights are better. However, the music is kinda strange; at some points it loudly builds up, only to get interrupted by a sudden cut.

Hightlight of the film: the sudden end where Zatoichi delivers a killing cut to a yakuza gang leader.