Zatoichi: The Blind Swordsman (#679) (Criterion Collection)[USA]

[Horhay]

Release Date: November 26, 2013
Purchase: Amazon

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.

Disc Features:

1. New digital restorations of all twenty-five films, with uncompressed monaural soundtracks on the Blu-rays
2. The Blind Swordsman, a 1978 documentary about Zatoichi portrayer and filmmaker Shintaro Katsu, along with a new interview with its director, John Nathan
3. New interview with Asian-film critic Tony Rayns
4. Trailers for all twenty-five films
5. New English subtitle translations
6. PLUS: A book featuring an essay by critic Geoffrey O’Brien; synopses of the films by critic, novelist, and musician Chris D.; “The Tale of Zatoichi,” the original short story by Kan Shimozawa; and twenty-five new illustrations inspired by the films, by twenty-five different artists

Movie List:

1. The Tale of Zatoichi
2. The Tale of Zatoichi Continues
3. New Tale of Zatoichi
4. Zatoichi the Fugitive
5. Zatoichi on the Road
6. Zatoichi and the Chest of Gold
7. Zatoichi’s Flashing Sword
8. Fight, Zatoichi, Fight
9. Adventures of Zatoichi
10. Zatoichi’s Revenge
11. Zatoichi and the Doomed Man
12. Zatoichi and the Chess Expert
13. Zatoichi’s Vengeance
14. Zatoichi’s Pilgrimage
15. Zatoichi’s Cane Sword
16. Zatoichi The Outlaw
17. Zatoichi Challenged
18. Zatoichi and the Fugitives
19. Samaritan Zatoichi
20. Zatoichi Meets Yojimbo
21. Zatoichi Goes to the Fire Festival
22. Zatoichi Meets the One Armed Swordsman
23. Zatoichi at Large
24. Zatoichi in Desperation
25. Zatoichi’s Conspiracy

# of discs: 27

 

[PunkNinja]

This is a great criterion release. A must buy for chanbara fans.

 

[Horhay]

I am going to wait for another 50% from B&N, the lady at the store told me another one is coming towards the end of the year or early 2014.

 

[GVZER]

I must have this for the right price of course. Thanks for the post OP

 

[Playzocker]

Must-have for me ... the only thing I'm worried about is how they store the discs, but luckily Blu-rays aren't as easy to scratch as DVDs. But for 25 films newly restored, I would even pay the 150 dollars on Amazon.com...

 

[Coop]

Wow, this looks awesome!!

 

[Horhay]

I pre-ordered this from the B&N sale for $110! oh yeah!

 

[Istria]

A review up on dvdbeaver

 

[Horhay]

Mine is coming tomorrow! Who else bought a set from B&N? For $110 it was a steal!

 

[GVZER]

Im very tempted. Need to go see what coupons I have at home

 

[Horhay]

Out today, mine was shipped from B&N already, I guess I won't see it until next week. B&N uses snail mail.

 

[GVZER]

Got mine for $65 otd

 

[cbs777]

Got mine for $65 otd

Nice G:Box, how did you score it at that price if you don't mind me asking?

 

[Horhay]

B&N have been sending coupons since yesterday.

 

[villadelrefugio]

B&N have been sending coupons since yesterday.

But unfortunately, some stores won't accept them. I know my stores around me won't....only way is to get an employee to override it. I haven't had any luck though.

 

[blackberry]

Got mine for $65 otd

Unbelievable Price!

Sent from my N9500 using Tapatalk 2

 

[cbs777]

B&N have been sending coupons since yesterday.

Just received mine for 30%, now if I can just get the store to accept it.

 

[villadelrefugio]

Just received mine for 30%, now if I can just get the store to accept it.

That's my issue! Can never get one accepted during the sale

 

[GVZER]

Nice G:Box, how did you score it at that price if you don't mind me asking?

I used the 40% coupon thats roaming online

 

[cbs777]

I used the 40% coupon thats roaming online

I received the 30% yesterday, and I scored the set tonight, she scanned it with no problem didn't need to override it. Beautiful set.