Monday Morning Maybe

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Poster for Zatoichi's Conspiracy

Zatoichi's Conspiracy

Seen it?

1973 | 88 min | Action, Drama, Adventure

Monday Morning Maybeearly rating

Why it’s a Monday Morning Maybe

With a box office flop and almost no lasting buzz, this one could be a tough watch. Keep your phone handy.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Aimed squarely at action fans and adventure lovers. Popcorn viewing in the best sense. If you loved The Fugitive or Zatoichi, start here.
The mood
Exciting.
The pace
Quiet, then quietly devastating, at 1 hr 28 min. Short enough for a weeknight.
What might put you off
  • It's in Japanese, so expect subtitles (or a dub).
  • Made in 1973: an older pace and style.
  • Not for anyone who finds explosions tiring.

Zatoichi, the famed blind swordsman, returns to his home village for the first time in many years. He is befriended by Omiyo, who had the same wet-nurse as Zatoichi. He also encounters a boyhood friend, Shinbei, who is now wealthy and appears not to remember Zatoichi. Shinbei seems to be interested in repaying the villagers' debts, but is, in reality, manipulating the ownership of a now valuable rock quarry. Zatoichi learns of the subterfuge and confronts his old friend, who has a score of yakuza swordsmen backing his play.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsNot counted

    Not enough reviews on record yet

  • AudiencesNot counted

    Not measured yet: not enough ratings

  • AwardsNot counted

    No major awards or nominations

  • Reach & staying powerWeak

    Streaming release that reached a small audience so far

  • Buzz & cultural impactWeak

    Not enough engagement data yet

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Cast & crew

Directed by Kimiyoshi Yasuda

  • Shintarō KatsuZatoichi
  • Yukiyo ToakeOmiyo
  • Takashi ShimuraSakubei
  • Eiji OkadaShinbei
  • Kei SatōMagistrate
  • Yoshio TsuchiyaShobei
  • Rie YokoyamaYuri
  • Tatsuo EndōBoss Iwagoro
  • Shiro KishibeRuffian
  • Goro Kumon