#679x: KATSU, Shintaro: Zatoichi In Desperation (1972)

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KATSU, Shintaro (Japan)
Zatoichi In Desperation [1972]
Spine #679x
Blu-ray


Star Shintaro Katsu sits in the director's chair for this psychedelic and unremittingly bleak entry in the Zatoichi series, which is unlike any other in its grind-house grimness. A tale of inocence corrupted by sadistic, sleazy criminality, the film is propelled by Easy Rider-esque editing and a trippy seventies funk score by Kunihiko Murai.

95 minutes
Color
Monaural
in Japanese
2:35:1 aspect ratio
Criterion Release 2013
Director/Writers


Original story by Kan Shimozawa.
Screenplay by Minoru Inuzuka.
Shintaro Katsu was 41 when he directed Zatoichi in Desperation.

The Film

Film Rating (0-60):

60

The Extras

The Booklet

100-page booklet featuring an essay by Geoffrey O’Brien and the original story, The Tale of Zatoichi by Shimozawa.

Commentary

None.

Extras Rating (0-40):

39

60 + 39 =

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