Zatoichi's Flashing Sword (1964)

Subpar entry in the Blind Swordsman series has Zatoichi caught between two yakuza bosses (one peaceful, one violent) warring over a river fording. There's a fantastic climactic battle in which Zatoichi goes Travis Bickle on the mean boss's house -- the use of light and shadow, in particular, is eye-popping. Everything else is pretty by-the-numbers, with not enough of either Ichi or his titular weapon.

Grade: B-