Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Graphic
- witty
- rowdy
- cynical
- classic cinema night
- samurai movie marathon
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Zatoichi and Yojimbo are brought together as rival and temporary allies, with their distinct methods and reputations driving the conflict.
Rumored gold taken from the shogunate motivates the merchant, his son, Yojimbo, and the shogunate spy network.
Ichi's cool independence and Yojimbo's drunken swagger create humorous embarrassment and antagonism amid gang warfare and sword fights.
Boss Masagoro's rule over the village, the merchant family's intrigue, and the shogunate's hidden interests create overlapping systems of exploitation.
Films like Zatoichi Meets Yojimbo, and why
Yojimbo
shared samurai swordplay, morally ambiguous ronin, dark humor, and clash between iconic wandering warriors
Zatoichi
shared blind swordsman action, episodic jidaigeki storytelling, gallows humor, and stylized duels
Sanjuro
shared japanese period setting, rival warriors, kinetic sword fights, and cynical views of power
The Sword of Doom
shared hard-edged samurai drama, ensemble conflict among criminal factions, and choreographed violence
Movie Details
- Director
- Kihachi Okamoto
- Release Date
- 1970-01-15
- Runtime
- 115 min
- Rating
- 6.8 / 10 (84)
Cast
- Shintarō Katsu
- Toshirō Mifune
- Ayako Wakao
- Osamu Takizawa
- Masakane Yonekura
- Shin Kishida
- Kanjūrō Arashi
- Toshiyuki Hosokawa
- Shigeru Kōyama
- Hideo Sunazuka
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 Yojimbo about?
- Two legendary wandering warriors collide in a corrupt samurai village where stolen gold, divided loyalties, and a captive mistress ignite a darkly comic showdown.
- What is Zatoichi Meets Yojimbo like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Zatoichi Meets Yojimbo as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Zatoichi Meets Yojimbo violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Zatoichi Meets Yojimbo as graphic.
- Which films are like Zatoichi Meets Yojimbo?
- Films with a similar feel include Yojimbo, Zatoichi, Sanjuro, and The Sword of Doom.
- How long is Zatoichi Meets Yojimbo?
- Zatoichi Meets Yojimbo runs 115 minutes.
- Where can I watch Zatoichi Meets Yojimbo?
- In United States, Zatoichi Meets Yojimbo streams on Criterion Channel.
