There's actually a whole score of films about the character Zatouichi but I'm dealing with the one you probably know by Kitano Takeshi.
The first time I tried to watch it I though this film was boring. It was probably just because I felt bored at the time and tired (it only gets shown late.) And there was this 'silly' bit about a guy with a spear running around a house shouting. I didn't get the mood of the film at all.
Recently someone I know recommended it so I thought I'd give it another go and I loved it. It seemed a lot faster the second time and the ending was brilliant. The DVD cover gives it a lot of hype. Beware of this: I've been put off very good films because they didn't measure up to what people said about them. First rule of watching films: don't trust film critics.
It might be difficult for people who aren't dyed in the wool Asian film fans to find accessable; the first time I saw Oldboy I didn't really get it; but it's worth a try.
There's a later film about one of Zatouichi's former student's, a blind girl musician, Ichi which I'll be reviewing later.
Curiously one of the characters is played by 'Taka Guadalcanal.'
