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I had read about this series of movies and when this collection came up I took a chance and am not disappointed.
First the discs themselves, the DVDs are very good (I watched a few to sample the quality) with nice picture and sound. The BDs are really nice, beautiful picture and clear sound with no discernible background noise. The films are set up in groups of 3, the first 2 discs contain 3 of the films in DVD and the third disc contains all 3 in Blu-ray. The first 2 films are in black and white and the quality is wonderful (even in the DVDs). Good blacks and nice shading and contrast. The third film and those following are in color and it is vibrant in the 13 films I have watched so far. Criterion's explanation of the idea of selling the films in DVD and BD in the same package and not separately is on their website. I have notice that there is no increase in the list price of their BDs due to this and I assume it will continue until almost all DVDs players are replaced with BD players. They did justice to these films in both formats.
There are 25 films from the original series, a 26th was done 16 years after the last one in this group and I do not know why they did not include it but whatever the reason it is not a great loss as it is available on the market. There was also a TV series that followed these films, done by the same production company, run by the star Shintaro Katsu, that did the last group of films and that is also available on the market. It would be great if in the future Criterion obtained the rights to the TV episodes and the final film, did restoration, and released them in another box set.
The films are almost like an American TV western series (like The Rebel or Kung Fu) with the same basic plot for each one. Zatoichi is a blind masseur (who likes to gamble at dice and is a lightning fast swordsman) that travels from town to town and is on the hit list of every Yakuza gang he has ever crossed and eventually has to fight, usually a dozen opponents or MORE at a time and vanquishes them all. The acting is superb and the photography is wonderful. These are "swordplay" movies with underlying moral stories, not just a slice 'em up action pictures.
I have no quarrel with the packaging. I always handle the discs carefully from similar packaging and have never had a scratch that cause a playback problem. The extras are also good and the hard cover booklet is great, the summation and assessment of the series at the beginning is spot on.
Really well done, recommended.
Updated 6/2014. I finished watching the rest of the set awhile back and finally am getting around to adding to my review. The second 13 films fit my original review, great picture and sound in both formats. Opinions of the acting and portrayal vary from person to person. The Zatoichi character seems to get a little meaner in some of the later films and there were some that were "bloody" where as the others have almost no indication of blood at all. I do not think I have ever bought such a great set of films in a single package. If you like this genre this is a MUST for you, you will not be disappointed.
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From the manufacturer
Zatoichi: The Blind Swordsman
9 Blu-ray Deluxe Set
The colossally popular Zatoichi films make up the longest-running action series in Japanese history and created one of the screen’s great heroes: an itinerant blind masseur who also happens to be a lightning-fast swordsman. As this iconic figure, the charismatic and earthy Shintaro Katsu became an instant superstar, lending a larger-than-life presence to the thrilling adventures of a man who lives staunchly by a code of honor and delivers justice in every town and village he enters. The films that feature him are variously pulse-pounding, hilarious, stirring, and completely off-the-wall. This deluxe set features the string of twenty-five Zatoichi films made between 1962 and 1973, collected in one package for the first time.
Special Features
- The Blind Swordsman, a 1978 documentary about Zatoichi portrayer and filmmaker Shintaro Katsu
- New interview with Asian-film critic Tony Rayns
- A book featuring 25 new illustrations inspired by the films, by 25 different artists
Deluxe Packaging
Deluxe hardcover book and slipcase featuring artwork by acclaimed illustrator Ron Wimberly (Prince Of Cats). Additionally, Criterion commissioned new work from twenty-five acclaimed illustrators to represent each of Zatoichi films, including Bill Sienkiewicz (Elektra: Assassin) and Paul Pope (The One Trick Rip Off).
Hardcover Book
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Reviews with images
Great Movie Series
The saga of a blind Japanese masseur in 1800's Japan where the ruling classes are engaged in civil war allowing the Yakuza gangs to rule the rural villages. As a boy, Zatoichi was blinded and since then earns a meager living as a masseur. To avoid being brutalized for being blind, he learns the martial arts and becomes a skilled swordsman to fight off bullies. But he only attracts more violence from vengeful Yakuza and Samurai. He also attracts the attention of lonely women trapped in dysfunctional relationships creating deadly love triangles.
