Shurayukihime: Urami koiuta (1974)

Shurayukihime: Urami koiuta: Directed by Toshiya Fujita. With Meiko Kaji, Jûzô Itami, Kazuko Yoshiyuki, Yoshio Harada. To avoid a death sentence for her prior acts of bloodshed, the vengeful swordswoman Lady Snowblood is conscripted by the Japanese Secret Police to assassinate political dissidents.

“The stunning Meiko Kaji reprises her role as Shurayuki-hime (roughly translated u0026quot;Princess Snow-Hellu0026quot;), the beautiful agent of death. This time she is not out for personal vengeance, but is caught up in the political intrigue of the Meiji era of 19th century Japan. Caught between revolutionaries and secret policemen, Yuki makes sure the bad guys meet a particularly nasty end. Itu0026#39;s great to see a samurai film featuring a female in the lead role. It was co-written by Kazuo Koike of u0026quot;Lone Wolf and Cubu0026quot; fame and features a role by Juzo Itami who later went on to direct u0026quot;Tampopou0026quot; and u0026quot;A Taxing Womanu0026quot; among other films. Director Toshiya Fujita has a wonderful sense of color and this movie is a vibrant and violent classic.”