Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Graphic
- propulsive
- rugged
- heroic
- martial arts movie night
- cult cinema night
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Zatoichi and Wang Kang come from distinct Japanese and Hong Kong action traditions, and their language barrier drives mutual distrust before cooperation.
Blind masseur Zatoichi and one-armed swordsman Wang Kang are both presented as formidable, highly individual warriors.
The heroes protect a child from a corrupt Japanese priest working alongside yakuza forces.
The film stages the katana-based Zatoichi against Wang Kang's one-armed swordsman persona in a Japanese-Hong Kong production crossover.
Films like Zatoichi Meets the One-Armed Swordsman, and why
Zatoichi
shared samurai action, wandering swordsman protagonist, yakuza conflict, and stylized heroic combat
One-Armed Swordsman
shared one-armed swordsman mythology, martial arts spectacle, and revenge-driven outlaw drama
Lone Wolf and Cub: Sword of Vengeance
shared Japanese period action, swordplay, criminal underworld, and morally grounded heroism
The Sword of Doom
shared chanbara action, stoic wandering warriors, and confrontations with corrupt authority
Movie Details
- Directors
- Kimiyoshi Yasuda, Hsu Tseng-Hung
- Release Date
- 1971-01-13
- Runtime
- 94 min
- Rating
- 6.8 / 10 (48)
Cast
- Shintarō Katsu
- Jimmy Wang Yu
- Yuko Hama
- Michie Terada
- Kōji Nanbara
- Tōru Abe
- Shinsuke Minami
- Goro Kumon
- Watako Hamaki
- Katsutoshi Akiyama
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Criterion Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Zatoichi Meets the One-Armed Swordsman about?
- A blind masseur and a one-armed swordsman must overcome mistrust to defend a child from a corrupt priest and his yakuza allies.
- What is Zatoichi Meets the One-Armed Swordsman like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Zatoichi Meets the One-Armed Swordsman as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Zatoichi Meets the One-Armed Swordsman violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Zatoichi Meets the One-Armed Swordsman as graphic.
- Which films are like Zatoichi Meets the One-Armed Swordsman?
- Films with a similar feel include Zatoichi, One-Armed Swordsman, Lone Wolf and Cub: Sword of Vengeance, and The Sword of Doom.
- How long is Zatoichi Meets the One-Armed Swordsman?
- Zatoichi Meets the One-Armed Swordsman runs 94 minutes.
- Where can I watch Zatoichi Meets the One-Armed Swordsman?
- In United States, Zatoichi Meets the One-Armed Swordsman streams on Criterion Channel.
