Zatoichi's Cane Sword (1967)

A step up in quality from the previous two entries in this gargantuan series, this has Zatoichi trying (unsuccessfully, of course) to step away from the deadly life after he discovers his sword doesn't have much mileage left on it. Lots of unique touches keep this film from succumbing to familiarity (my favorite: the Yakuza boss kowtowing to Ichi at a gambling house), and the climax is rousing even though it feels like a redux from (I think) Adventures of Zatoichi. You'd think that by this time there wouldn't be any Yakuza clans left in all of Japan...

Grade: B