Rare version of ZATOICHI MEETS THE ONE-ARMED SWORDSMAN to screen in August!

This is big new, folks!

Chris will be out at the Gap Theater in Wind Gap, PA on Sunday, August 24 to introduce a whirlwind 35mm triple feature of Jimmy Wang Yu super sword action beginning with - are you sitting down? - the insanely rare, long-lost Chinese version of ZATOICHI MEETS THE ONE-ARMED SWORDSMAN (1971)!

Rumors have swirled for decades about this highly sought-after version, with many people doubting its existence, but it’s finally been located and this will be (as far as we know) the first screening of it anywhere in over 40 years.

That alone is worth the $20 admission, but stick around for THE SWORD (1971) and for the final duel of the day, it’s Jimmy as the Master of the Silver Spear in BLOOD OF THE DRAGON (1971), the dubbed U.S. version with dialogue by novelist William Diehl (SHARKY'S MACHINE, PRIMAL FEAR) and a rock score by Flood. The fun starts at 2pm.

Featuring gravity-defying swordplay, epic heroism, and Wang Yu’s iconic high-flying style, this cinematic journey is a must for fans of classic kung fu fantasy. All films screened on 35mm in Chinese with English subtitles (except BLOOD OF THE DRAGON, which is dubbed in English).

Tickets are $20.00 per person. Showtime at 2pm.

Doors open 30 minutes before showtime.

Tickets are available at thegaptheatre.com and at the door.

Above: Newspaper ad for the original Japanese version of ZATOICHI MEETS THE ONE-ARMED SWORDSMAN - the one we all know and love - when it opened in Honolulu on February 15, 1971 under the title THE BLIND SWORDSMAN MEETS HIS EQUAL.

Above: Fourteen months later, the Chinese version arrived in Honolulu as ZATOICHI AND THE ONE-ARMED SWORDSMAN (April 19, 1972).