

Blind swordsman Zatoichi, jailed briefly, is implored by another prisoner to aid him in proving his innocence of a crime for which he is sentenced to death. Zatoichi is reluctant to get involved, because he knows how often such involvement has led to trouble in the past. But events conspire to thrust him repeatedly into involvement, and gradually he comes to believe in the man's innocence and determines to free him.

Shintarō Katsu
Zatoichi
Lead
Kanbi Fujiyama
Monk Hyakutaro

Eiko Taki
Oyone

Kenjirō Ishiyama
Boss Jubei Araiso

Yukio Horikita
—
Hajime Koshikawa
—

Sachiko Murase
Shimazo’s wife
Tokio Oki
—
“A staggering achievement of craft and ambition. Kazuo Mori's vision lands with breathtaking precision.”
“Every frame feels alive. Zatoichi and the Doomed Man is the rare release that takes its audience seriously.”