Plantiana Yawn. Poorly Filmed Snooze Fest.

Inclubabu Plot so thin, it passes unnoticed.

StyleSk8r At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

Quiet Muffin This movie tries so hard to be funny, yet it falls flat every time. Just another example of recycled ideas repackaged with women in an attempt to appeal to a certain audience.

daoldiges I had low expectations for this film but have to say it was a pleasant surprise. The story had humor, visually it was very interesting, and at times beautiful. The lead actor is very good and I'd like to see more of his work.

inframan I think this stunning film ranks among the great action films of all time but could be hung as stills in any art museum. Hokusai & Hiroshige influences abound.Yet best of all is the unforgettable character Zatoichi himself. Shintaro Katsu created an everyman/superhero who had no equal, at least in western culture. A squat, homely, bandy-legged self-deprecating blind man full of humor & humility & an abundance of spirituality. And could he make that sword dance.These movies have no equal. Each one is as perfectly made as any movie can be. I used to go see them when they first appeared in the theaters of San Francisco & Los Angeles Japanese neighborhoods. I still love them every bit as much now.

Tom (bighouseaz) This is one of my favorite films in the Zatoichi series. The opening film credit scene is amazing. This scene is a superbly choreographed, artistic display of swordsmanship that takes place on a darkened stage with three attacks on Zatoichi. Katsu Shintaro shows that the sword is an integral part of the Zatoichi story, and he is a master of the iai style of combat.In this film Zatoichi is shown no respect. He is mistrusted by farmers, shown disdain by government officials, and finally whipped by a samurai. The samurai villain is played by Katsu's real-life brother, Tomisaburo Wakayama. In one scene Wakayama shows an incredible sword drawing technique that is as equally impressive as Katsu's.In the end, Zatoichi saves the day as always.Yet, unlike in the fourth film The Fugitive where Zatoichi is able to shake of the trials and pain of his struggles and dances off to the horizon accompanied by some toe-tapping music, in the Chest of Gold Zatoichi has been abused and beaten so badly throughout the film that he can only manage to shuffle away towards the horizon as the farmers celebrate their good fortune in the distance. It's a poignant and sad scene.

John Seal The Zatoichi series really took off with this entry. Shintaro Katsu is, of course, outstanding in his role as the blind swordsman/masseur. What sets this one aside from the earlier entries in the series, though, is the kinetic camerawork of Kazuo Miyagawa. Utilising every inch of his Panavision frame, Miyagawa set new standards for the samurai genre, choreographing outstanding fight sequences and adding the element of gore to the recipe. For those who think widescreen mayhem began with The Wild Bunch, this is essential viewing!