Zatoichi's Pilgrimage owned by Miramax...the one missing film
#1
Zatoichi's Pilgrimage owned by Miramax...the one missing film
from the bits...thought this would interest some of you.
Now then, as many of you out there know, we're MAJOR fans of the Japanese Zatoichi film series, which depicts the adventures of a legendary blind swordsman played by the late Shintaro Katsu. All of the 26 films in the series are now available on DVD in the States (from Home Vision, AnimEigo and Media Blasters)... save one: Zatoichi's Pilgrimage, the missing 14th tale in the series. Exactly WHY this film is unavailable on DVD here, and who owns the release rights to the title, has been a mystery we've been investigating for close to three years now. But we've finally uncovered the answer to those questions... and they might surprise you.
As it turns out, Miramax purchased the U.S. rights to the film a number of years ago. Apparently, director Quentin Tarantino was interested in doing a remake of the film. Of course, not long after this, Japanese director Takeshi Kitano (also known as Beat Takeshi) created his own updated version of the series, Zatoichi, which was also released to theaters and DVD in the U.S. through Miramax. Because of this, the future of Tarantino's version is uncertain. Unfortunately, also uncertain as a result of all this has been the fate of a U.S. DVD release of the original Zatoichi's Pilgrimage. We would like to strongly urge Buena Vista and Miramax to release the film on DVD, and we encourage all of you who are fans of these films to let the studio know you want Pilgrimage on disc ASAP. Sadly, pretty much everything DVD related at Miramax is on hold at the moment due to the Disney-Miramax split. In the meantime, we've updated our Zatoichi series review page with this new information.
Now then, as many of you out there know, we're MAJOR fans of the Japanese Zatoichi film series, which depicts the adventures of a legendary blind swordsman played by the late Shintaro Katsu. All of the 26 films in the series are now available on DVD in the States (from Home Vision, AnimEigo and Media Blasters)... save one: Zatoichi's Pilgrimage, the missing 14th tale in the series. Exactly WHY this film is unavailable on DVD here, and who owns the release rights to the title, has been a mystery we've been investigating for close to three years now. But we've finally uncovered the answer to those questions... and they might surprise you.
As it turns out, Miramax purchased the U.S. rights to the film a number of years ago. Apparently, director Quentin Tarantino was interested in doing a remake of the film. Of course, not long after this, Japanese director Takeshi Kitano (also known as Beat Takeshi) created his own updated version of the series, Zatoichi, which was also released to theaters and DVD in the U.S. through Miramax. Because of this, the future of Tarantino's version is uncertain. Unfortunately, also uncertain as a result of all this has been the fate of a U.S. DVD release of the original Zatoichi's Pilgrimage. We would like to strongly urge Buena Vista and Miramax to release the film on DVD, and we encourage all of you who are fans of these films to let the studio know you want Pilgrimage on disc ASAP. Sadly, pretty much everything DVD related at Miramax is on hold at the moment due to the Disney-Miramax split. In the meantime, we've updated our Zatoichi series review page with this new information.
#6
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Originally Posted by D.Zero
Really? An asian film controlled by Miramax that hasn't been able to see the light of day in this country? Where have I heard that before?
#10
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Originally Posted by Heliosphann
Yep. It's availible in the UK on DVD.
#11
DVD Talk Special Edition
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Indiana, USA
Posts: 1,161
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by flixtime
Better hold off on that, a DVD with the title "Zatoichi's Pilgrimage" was released in the UK as you've stated but the actual episode on the disc is not "Zatoichi's Pilgrimage"; it is another (already released in the U.S.) episode in the series.
It's actually #23 "Zatoichi at Large".
#12
DVD Talk Special Edition
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: La La Land
Posts: 1,429
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks for the info. It's amazing how many films Miramax bought and sat on. How a business could survive with such practices is beyond me.
I'm eagerly awaiting it's release now...as well as the rest of the TV series.
I'm eagerly awaiting it's release now...as well as the rest of the TV series.
#14
DVD Talk Special Edition
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: La La Land
Posts: 1,429
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
No new word? I'm a bit disappointed that after all this time Zatoichi's Pilgrimage is still not out or coming out.
And what happened to more TV series? I loved the first season, and even it if was pricey for TV it was worth it to me.
And what happened to more TV series? I loved the first season, and even it if was pricey for TV it was worth it to me.
#16
Originally Posted by Cameron
is it available in any other part of the world
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 363
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Cameron
the tv series has several releases out now
Last edited by Ambassador; 07-26-07 at 04:16 PM.
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 254
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks for the info. It's amazing how many films Miramax bought and sat on. How a business could survive with such practices is beyond me.
All these films taht were being sat on were all due to Harvey Weinstein's management. Lots of films went with him and some films stayed behind.
Legend of Zu for example was pushed behind by Weinstein for years and then after he got the boot was when Miramax post-Weinstein finally put it out.
So people need t know where to direct their finger pointing at because the real cause of the mess is not at the company anymore.
#19
New Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Zatoichi's Pilgrimage
I ordered Zatoichi's Pilgrimage - Episode 14 (Shintaro Kat) from http://www.samuraimoviedvd for $10.95. Is this for real?
#21
Originally Posted by greenoil
I ordered Zatoichi's Pilgrimage - Episode 14 (Shintaro Kat) from http://www.samuraimoviedvd for $10.95. Is this for real?