3 reviews
Actor Tomisaboro Wakayama is the older brother of Shintaro Katsu whose fame rests on the character of Zatoichi, the blind swordsman. Clearly an attempt to replicate the success of the Zatoichi films by casting Wakayama in the role of a similar lovable rouge with a strong moral code.
Shinkai is a Buddhist priest who loves gambling and plenty of women. He also can put up a really good fight. This of course puts him at odds with the other monks at the monastery. Punished for a fight started by another priest, Shinkai is sentenced to isolation. At some point he just leaves to play dice in the city. He encounters an attempted rape and kidnapping by a bunch of young hooligans and is launched into a quest to break up a prostitution ring run by the same thugs who run the gambling house he goes to. The rest of the film is about Shinkai's quest, his attempts to set the young hooligans on a righteous path and the attempts by his fellow monks to disgrace Shinkai and the temple's head priest who is very tolerant of Shinkai's behavior. Fights and melodrama ensue in ample portions.
First off, with his shaved head Wakayama looks almost exactly like his brother. The whole tone of the film is very Zatoichi and at times you could be confused that you are actually watching a Zatoichi film. In fact at one point the film makers make a joke about the resemblance! That said, what are the differences? The setting is turn of the 20th century so there are guns but almost everything else is very traditional. Shinkai practices some sort of Jiu Jitsu so he doesn't use a sword. Shinkai tries to use Buddhism to justify his excesses. Oh yes, Shinkai isn't blind. In other words, not much of a difference. On a side note, Shinkai's fellow priests are some of the sleaziest monks I've seen.
As a film it is very watchable and the action sequences are excellent. The melodrama works and Wakayama brings in a great comic performance. You should have a good time although you might want to chant, "This is not Zatoichi, this is not Zatoichi."
Shinkai is a Buddhist priest who loves gambling and plenty of women. He also can put up a really good fight. This of course puts him at odds with the other monks at the monastery. Punished for a fight started by another priest, Shinkai is sentenced to isolation. At some point he just leaves to play dice in the city. He encounters an attempted rape and kidnapping by a bunch of young hooligans and is launched into a quest to break up a prostitution ring run by the same thugs who run the gambling house he goes to. The rest of the film is about Shinkai's quest, his attempts to set the young hooligans on a righteous path and the attempts by his fellow monks to disgrace Shinkai and the temple's head priest who is very tolerant of Shinkai's behavior. Fights and melodrama ensue in ample portions.
First off, with his shaved head Wakayama looks almost exactly like his brother. The whole tone of the film is very Zatoichi and at times you could be confused that you are actually watching a Zatoichi film. In fact at one point the film makers make a joke about the resemblance! That said, what are the differences? The setting is turn of the 20th century so there are guns but almost everything else is very traditional. Shinkai practices some sort of Jiu Jitsu so he doesn't use a sword. Shinkai tries to use Buddhism to justify his excesses. Oh yes, Shinkai isn't blind. In other words, not much of a difference. On a side note, Shinkai's fellow priests are some of the sleaziest monks I've seen.
As a film it is very watchable and the action sequences are excellent. The melodrama works and Wakayama brings in a great comic performance. You should have a good time although you might want to chant, "This is not Zatoichi, this is not Zatoichi."
now here's an interesting concept: what do get when you merge the guy who played Ogamai Itto in the Lone Wolf films, with the Zatoichi character played by that actor's real-life brother? why, you get Tomisaburo Wakayama playing a wicked priest with many similarities to Zatoichi, including his look and the general tone of the film. and that's just for starters, as this consistently engrossing film manages to pack in 3 hours of plot into 85 minutes...without ever seeming rushed, or unfocused. indeed, the plot and the performances are so good, they almost make u forget that the film features NO SWORDPLAY OR GUNFIGHTS (despite presence of both weapons in many scenes)! yup, that is correct. and i still gave it a whopping 8 out of 10. the damn thing is just so well constructed, with elements of comedy, drama, tragedy, romance, and yes, action...including kung fu type fights, and plenty of the red stuff on show. there even a scene with an unlucky rat that looked bloody real to me. gr8 cinematography in 2.35 widescreen, and a really unique score (which includes some Spaghetti western-ish touches) help polish the package even more. despite the general light tone of the film, & the lack of swordplay and nudity (just a brief shot of a woman's bare behind), make no mistake: this truly is a wicked priest, gambling, womanizing, cussing and brawling constantly...but with a nice sense of humor and the quintessential 'heart of gold'. i hear there are more films of this character (Shinkai), and i sure as hell would like to see 'em. and if Zatoichi's anything like this, then i must catch up on what i've been missing.
speaking of Zatoichi, Shinkai even has a scene as a (fake) masseur in the film!
speaking of Zatoichi, Shinkai even has a scene as a (fake) masseur in the film!
It is a wonderful movie with the genius actor Tomisaburo Wakayama. Wakayama is extraordinary and the story of the film is very good with very emotion. It is a movie that have to be seen by all the Wakayama's fan. Shinkai, the character played bye Wakayama is closed of the famous Zatoïchi played by the brother of Wakayma the great Shintaro Katsu. And Wakayama, in his character, look very like his brother in his character of Zatoïchi. More, Wakayama him-self sing very well the songs of the film. Shinkai is the predecessor and announce the character of Ogami Itto of the Babycart's movie with his moral code, his violence and his kindness to the women and the children.