The original title of this movie translates roughly to "Zatoichi's Travels of Laughter and Blood", but that title apparently sounded too good to whoever translated it into "Fight, Zatoichi, Fight". Seriously, we're 8 movies in and every single title so far has been so generic that it could fit practically any film in the series, with the exception of "Zatoichi and the Chest of Gold".#8 sees the return of director Kenji Misumi, who directed #1. Composer Akira Ifukube and cinematographer Chishi Makiura also mark their return, giving the film a calmer style as opposed to the two films that preceded it. #8 is like a precursor to the Lone Wolf and Cub series, as Zatoichi gets to take care of a baby, trying to return it to its father while fighting off mercenaries. Speaking of fights, don't trust the title "Fight, Zatoichi, Fight" as there is less action in this film when compared to the previous ones. This one is really emotional and heart- warming, and also has the most fluid pace so far, not to mention there's plenty of humor (Zatoichi trying to breastfeed the baby... Priceless). Also, the film starts with Zatoichi nearly stepping on a turd, but managing to avoid the danger after all. I don't really know what Misumi & co. were trying to say there.The visuals and sword-fighting sequences get better with each film. This one has some wonderful nature shots where the green color gets plenty of opportunities to dominate (I love the scene set in that scarecrow field). The fights are fewer in this movie, but they're also really well thought out and inventive, with the price of the audience having to suspend their disbelief a bit further, seeing how Zatoichi's tricks get more and more crazy as the series continues.Highlight: the final battle. Zatoichi faces off against torch-wielding thugs and defeats them all despite being on fire!

Wow, talk about divergent reviews. One says this is "Shintaro at his best" and another says "Too many baby antics". Your opinion of FIGHT ZATOICHI FIGHT ("Zatôichi Kesshô-tabi") will most likely depend on whether you like the idea of morphing the typical Zatôichi film with a film like THREE MEN AND A BABY. For the purist, this will be a definite turn off. For someone looking for a change of pace, a bit of comedy or some pathos, then this will be a welcome relief. As for me, I did enjoy the film (especially the ending) but certainly consider it one of the lesser efforts in the series because the film perhaps tries too hard to be heart-warming and cute.At the beginning of the film, Zatôichi gives up his seat in a palanquin (a covered box-like mode of transportation--carried by a man at each end) to a sick woman with a baby. Some evil no-goodnicks think it's Zatôichi inside and kill the lady with their swords--narrowly missing the baby. Zatôichi, as usual, has an over-developed sense of personal responsibility and decides he's at fault for her death and must escort the baby to his father in a far off town. So, most of the film consists of his adventures getting the child back to its daddy. Along the way, he meets a variety of people, though the most important to the film and Zatôichi is a female pickpocket. Through the persuasive power of this blind man, the lady is transformed to goodness and both like the idea of finally settling down and perhaps making a family. But, what about the child? They can't just keep him--no matter how cute he is.What happens next takes the film in an excellent direction. While the middle of the film was very schmaltzy, who the father is and his reaction to this child being brought to him is a shock. The ending was amazingly interesting and made the stickier moments in the film a bit easier to take.Overall, a film that is one of the most different in the series but certainly not among the best. Very watchable and it sure ends well, but otherwise not a great Zatôichi film.

I usually don't watch martial arts films too often, but when I heard the premise for this movie, I figured I should give it a chance. Boy, was I glad I saw this film. This had an excellent plot all through the film. Shintaro Katsu was excellent as Zatoichi in the original series. I only saw a few of the movies in the series, but this had a very emotional element. He was very good acting with an infant on screen. I admit I did shed a tear towards the end, but the whole movie just moved me. The way he changed the baby's diapers, holding the baby, singing to the baby, playing with the baby. This film broke the mold when back in the early 60's, most films would never use a real baby in the movies. Even the scenery was lovely. It's a shame that Shintaro's no longer with us. But during his 5-decade film career, out of all his 105 films that he's done, Fight, Zatoichi, Fight is definitely his best film ever.

Shintaro at his best. He's a mother, a husband and a reluctant killer all rolled into one. I can't imagine anyone else pulling off the role of Zatoichi. His interaction with the infant is truly heartwarming. There is pathos and humor as well. What else is there? Swordfighting, swordfighting, swordfighting...Not that he doesn't try to talk reason to his assailants. He deters an angry samurai without blood or violence in a scene I felt was so unusual, I played it back three times in a row. I LOVE martial arts sequences, but, the reason that I watch this one again and again is the acting and the natural building of his relationship with the infant that he has decided to help.If you want to sample the Zatoichi series, I would certainly recommend this one to be your first...