Zatoichi Meets Yojimbo

Critics Consensus

No consensus yet.

Tomatometer
Not Yet Available

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: N/A

73%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 1,857

Super Reviewer

Rate this movie

Oof, that was Rotten.

Meh, it passed the time.

It’s good – I’d recommend it.

Awesome!

So Fresh: Absolute Must See!

What did you think of the movie? (optional)
You're almost there! Just confirm how you got your ticket.
Super Reviewer
Step 2 of 2

How did you get your ticket?
By opting to have your ticket verified for this movie, you are allowing us to check the email address associated with your Rotten Tomatoes account against an email address associated with a Fandango ticket purchase for the same movie.
You're almost there! Just confirm how you got your ticket.
Super Reviewer

Rate this movie

Oof, that was Rotten.

Meh, it passed the time.

It’s good – I’d recommend it.

Awesome!

So Fresh: Absolute Must See!

What did you think of the movie? (optional)
How did you get your ticket?
- Fandango
- AMC (Coming Soon)
  
  We won’t be able to verify your ticket today, but it’s great to know for the future.
- Cinemark (Coming Soon)
  
  We won’t be able to verify your ticket today, but it’s great to know for the future.
- Regal (Coming Soon)
  
  We won’t be able to verify your ticket today, but it’s great to know for the future.
- Bought somewhere else
By opting to have your ticket verified for this movie, you are allowing us to check the email address associated with your Rotten Tomatoes account against an email address associated with a Fandango ticket purchase for the same movie.
You haven’t finished your review yet, want to submit as-is?

You can always edit your review after.
Are you sure?

Verified reviews are considered more trustworthy by fellow moviegoers.
Want to submit changes to your review before closing?

Movie Info

In Zatoichi vs. Yojimbo, one of many Japanese samurai films starring the blind swordsman Zatoichi (Shintaro Katsu), he has to battle Yojimbo (Toshiro Mifune), the title character from Akira Kurosawa's famous film. At the beginning of the film, Zatoichi is planning on retiring, yet his village is besieged by outlaws; eventually he fights, then befriends Yojimbo on his way to securing his village. The movie is a light-hearted parody of samurai films and a comic take on the genre, boasting a wonderfully funny performance from Mifune. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Rovi

Rating:

NR
Genre:

Action & Adventure, Art House & International, Drama
Directed By:

Kihachi Okamoto
Written By:

Kihachi Okamoto, Kan Shimozawa
In Theaters:

Jul 17, 1970 wide
On Disc/Streaming:

Jun 10, 2003
Runtime:

116 minutes
Studio:

Daiei International Films Inc.

Cast

Shintarô Katsu
as Zatoichi

Ayako Wakao
as Courtesan

Osamu Takizawa
as Yasuke Eboshiya

Masakane Yonekura

Shin Kishida

Toshiro Mifune
as Yojimbo

Toshiyuki Hosokawa
as Sanaemon Goto

Kanjuro Arashi
as Stone Cutter

Shigeru Koyama

View All

Critic Reviews for Zatoichi Meets Yojimbo

All Critics (3) | Fresh (3)

Any reprisal of the Yojimbo character is a welcome one, even if the pairing of these two cinematic legends didn't quite produce as much chemistry as hoped for

Feb 21, 2004 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review…

Brian Mckay
eFilmCritic.com

View All Critic Reviews (3)

Audience Reviews for Zatoichi Meets Yojimbo

Oct 28, 2011

The 20th film in the Zatoichi saga, Zatoichi Meets Yojimbo is one of the most well known and features a great performance from the legendary Toshiro Mifune as Yojimbo (bodyguard). Katsu and Mifune play off each other brilliantly and are what really helps keep the film entertaining over it's nearly 2 hour running time, the longest in the long running series. The film is numerous in it's twists and turns and there are many characters and sidestories to keep track of as well, so while tedious to keep track of at times, there is still a lot to like here. Both the dialogue and battle sequences were well done and both hilarious and serious in parts, which helped with the uneven script. Still Zatoichi Meets Yojimbo is a good film overall and Mifune makes for a great contrast to Ichi and delivers as usual.

Chris B Super Reviewer
Sep 08, 2009

I'm a fan of the Zatoichi series, and absolutely love Yojimbo and Sanjuro. To see the two come together was a mouthwatering prospect, but I was still concerned. It turns out, I had every reason to be. This isn't a bad film, but it's just too ambitious. The plot is needlessly complex, involving many characters and twists. It becomes confusing and easy to forget that this is a Zatoichi film. He becomes sidelined many times. The complex plot results in a longer running time, which can cause the film to drag. Mifune is a great co-star for Katsu, both of them have a wicked sense of humour and are similar on the inside, but luckily their performances are contrast with each other. It's doubtful that Mifune is playing "the" Yojimbo, but it's still good to see him n familiar surroundings. It's a good watch, especially for fans of Zatoichi or Mifune.

Luke B Super Reviewer
Aug 01, 2007

Mifune and Shintaro in one movie!! Hahaa!

Saskia D Super Reviewer
Jan 31, 2007

A very solid entry in the Zatoichi series, with none other than Toshiro Mifune playing his type of role (a sarcastic bodyguard) and with Katsu Shin showing that even good ol' Ichi can have thirst of getting some gold for his own good. Goes without saying that this is a must for chambara/Mifune fans. Plot gets a bit convulted in some parts, but nothing to worry.

Tsubaki S Super Reviewer