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THE NEW TALE OF ZATÔICHI
DIRECTOR: TOKUZÔ TANAKA
JAPAN, 1963
Though the great Toshirô Mifune may be a more familiar face to American audiences, it is the blind masseur and master swordsman Zatôichi (Shintarô Katsu) who deserves the title of most popular Japanese movie hero ever, starring in 26 films spanning three decades. In this third installment in the series, Zatôichi meets his former sensei and mentor (Seizaburo Kawazu), who, now corrupt, conspires with local thugs. At the same time, Zatôichi falls for his mentor’s sister, whom he cannot marry unless he renounces the sword. Burdened by his reputation and his past, Zatôichi longs to change, but giving up the sword proves easier said than done. (91 mins.)