Tags
1970's, Action, Eiji Okada, Foreign Language Film, Lady Snowblood, Meiko Kaji, Noboru Nakaya, Revenge Thriller, Sanae Nakahara, Thriller, Toshio Kurosawa, Toshiya Fujita
Film Title
Lady Snowblood
Director
Toshiya Fujita
Starring
- Meiko Kaji as Yuki
- Toshio Kurosawa as Ryūrei Ashio
- Eiji Okada as Gishirō Tsukamoto
- Sanae Nakahara as Kitahama Okono
- Noboru Nakaya as Takemura Banzō
A stylised and brutal film that also manages to be beautiful at times, Lady Snowblood is quite the experience as the title character slashes her way for retribution. A film that had a huge influence on Kill Bill, Lady Snowblood stands very well on its own feet as an eventful and arresting Japanese action/ revenge thriller, based on a popular manga series.
We open with a baby girl being born in a prison to a mother who speaks of her being an instrument for vengeance. She dies shortly after, and the baby who is named Yuki, is raised by a guard and a master. The vengeance her mother spoke of relates to a past event in which her husband was murdered and she was raped by a group of four criminals. Her mother killed one of the group and was sentenced to life in prison. Conceiving a child, knowing that it will one day deal out retribution, Yuki was created for this purpose that will be hers from birth. Yuki is trained to become a warrior as a young child by her skilled master, knowing that as she grows older, her destiny of retribution beckons. Turning 20 and with the Meiji Era upon everyone, beautiful Yuki starts her bloodthirsty quest. She manages to locate people through contacts and her quiet unassuming demeanor, that covers her grasping rage that is concealed much like the katana in her umbrella. The taking down of all of these corrupt and villainous people is going to be anything but simple, yet Yuki is completely focused and nothing is going to get in the way of her goal and what she was created for. Along the way she meets Ryūrei Ashio, a writer who documents her story( naming her Lady Snowblood) as it gathers momentum and Yuki eliminates the criminals who destroyed her mother, one by one.
Toshiya Fujita is an impressive and dazzling director, whose approach to the material brings out how dynamic the various threads of genres it covers, as they are pulled together for a memorable movie. Fujita’s largest achievement and asset in his weaponry is his spectacular eye for using the camera in so many unique ways. Jump cuts, point of view shots and a collection of gorgeous swirling zooms are just some of keen stylistic choices that leave you with your mouth wide open. Taking the nonlinear avenue was an inspired choice that pays dividends as we slowly gain information about Yuki, her past and purpose that don’t for a minute feel distracting. The film could have easily become a jumbled mess, but the use of narration and techniques make certain that the nuggets of knowledge we gain are not just overly filler and actually means something to the plot. While Lady Snowblood is a very violent film with geysers of blood at almost every turn, it strangely becomes serene and breathtaking, even in moments of horror and bloodshed. This is largely down to the striking colour scheme and cinematography( largely consisting of red and white) that memorably mirrors the heroine at the centre, who is very beautiful but capable of vengeance for which she was born for and executes with extreme prejudice. The choreography of the fight scenes is handled with a balletic poise and nimbleness, wonderfully realised in blood-soaked glory through the aforementioned multitude of camera techniques and visuals. Yet although the revenge and violence of the piece draws the attention, Lady Snowblood masterfully allows a commentary of a changing time to seep in. The setting is the Meiji era, where Western ideals where becoming popular in place of tradition in Japan, leading to some unrest that the film depicts at a lot of points. It is a great detail in the film as it clearly has more on its mind than just hack and slash, which is kept on an even keel with aplomb and enough entertainment to supply both. And a genuine unpredictability to parts of the narrative keeps the film bubbling on with surprising elegance amid the savagery. Music wise, Lady Snowblood takes many paths, further heaping the disparate influences it has on everything.
Meiko Kaji spearheads the movie as the eponymous warrior, whose piercing stare along is enough to do damage. Kaji uses her glacial beauty and combines it with a supple grace and almost unearthly stillness that makes Yuki a beautiful but fearsome character. The character is not without compassion, but the biggest highlight of her is her will and vengeance that are embodied strikingly by Kaji with alarming intensity. The sheer amount of rage that Meiko Kaji projects through her eyes is striking and at times frightening, you won’t forget her intense orbs as they burn across the screen with a searing amount of ferocity. Toshio Kurosawa impresses as the writer who tells Yuki’s story and may have a secret to hide. The three actors playing principal villains of the piece, Eiji Okada, Sanae Nakahara and Noboru Nakaya all convey nastiness and gleeful evil to a very successful degree. Everyone is fine in their roles, but it is Meiko Kaji that retains the largest impact as the mistress of retribution and revenge.
A highly influential film that boasts beauty and barbarism in quick succession, Lady Snowblood stands as a compelling film of style and substance.
beetleypete said:
I enjoyed this one myself, and it’s good to see it getting a well-deserved good review.
Best wishes, Pete.
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vinnieh said:
It really was a striking film, loved the visual style. Strange that it could be so brutal and yet so beautiful, funny isn’t it?
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beetleypete said:
Just one of the many ‘ballets of blood’ so skillfully provided by the Japanese film industry over the years.
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vinnieh said:
Ballets of blood, what a great way to describe it.
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dreamlanddancing said:
Very insightful.
Namaste
Chazz Vincent
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vinnieh said:
Happy you found my thoughts insightful.
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VictoryInTrouble said:
Oh yes, I’ve seen this one. I liked it too. Lovely review. 😊
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vinnieh said:
It’s arresting stuff, loved the visuals and how the story incorporated the changing time the film was set in.
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raistlin0903 said:
Have seen this one quite a while back, and can’t remember everything about it. I do know that I liked it quite a lot. Reading this review for it, it might be time to revisit this one 😊
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vinnieh said:
A revisit is definitely in order for you. It’s one of those films that is shocking and yet so gorgeous, sometimes simultaneously.
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SLIP/THROUGH - Dan said:
Yes, Vinnie. Another retro ‘grindhouse’ classic. Great review!!
I watched this back in the day because of Tarantino too, then noticed some shots in Django and Hateful 8 too. Maybe he snuck in an homage into each movie (beyond Kill Bill). With this mad scientist, you never know.
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vinnieh said:
I will admit knowing that this influenced Kill Bill led me to this film. But it stands on its own merits. And Meiko Kaji is intensity personified, what striking eyes she has!
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SLIP/THROUGH - Dan said:
Whenever I watch a Tarantino recommendation, it automatically is elevated into a higher plateau of cool, making me even more excited to watch the movie. Sometimes they are disappointing, but often (like here) they are a delight.
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vinnieh said:
Tarantino sure knows how to make people take note of older influnetial films. One of the things I really like about him.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Ooh! This sounds fabulous Vinnie! I’m hoping I can find it through my library system.😊
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vinnieh said:
Fabulous in a blood-soaked balletic way.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Definitely my kind of movie!
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vinnieh said:
Oh you like a bit of blood every now and then?
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Definitely! As long as it’s in keeping with the story (which from your spectacular review, it obviously does) and it doesn’t involve cute fuzzy animals.
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vinnieh said:
The blood is well used in this film as it is about a quest for vengeance. It fits rather well as the snow is tainted by Crimson.
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fragglerocking said:
I loved Kill Bill so this would be right up my street!
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vinnieh said:
I can’t recommend it enough. It is fun to see the influence it had on Kill Bill.
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ninvoid99 said:
So far, one of the best films I’ve seen this year. I want to get the Criterion set for both films.
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vinnieh said:
Thanks so much for suggesting it. It really made an impact. Love how brutally beautiful it got.
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alexsigsworth said:
If you liked this, you’ll enjoy “la dama rossa uccide sette volte”, or “The Red Queen Kills Seven Times”.
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vinnieh said:
Appreciate your suggestion.
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Chris said:
Sounds good and I love the title Lady Snowblood. I also was recommended this by thevoid99. Look a little Kill-Bill-ish from the trailer!
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vinnieh said:
I’m happy it was recommended to me. The fingerprints of this film are all over Kill Bill.
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keepsmealive said:
OMG I WANNA SEE THIS
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vinnieh said:
And so you should, it’s immensely good.
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The Telltale Mind said:
Love this film. Good review Vin!
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vinnieh said:
It’s a really good one, isn’t it?
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Hemangini said:
I loved this movie too. I feel oriental historical or action dramas are pure beauty.
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vinnieh said:
It was a certain kind of beauty. Striking and savage, often within minutes of each other.
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