Lady Snowblood (1973)

Lady Snowblood: Directed by Toshiya Fujita. With Meiko Kaji, Toshio Kurosawa, Masaaki Daimon, Miyoko Akaza. A strikingly beautiful young woman is raised from birth to be a deadly instrument of revenge against the swindlers who destroyed her family.

“I am not a particular fan of martial arts and samurai films but this one is not only colourful and tightly constructed but stars the lovely Meiko Kaji, she of the Female Prisoner Scorpion films, as well as many others. She is perfect here as the beautiful young woman born to avenge her mother and we are with her and her motion throughout. Director Toshiya Fujita has an eye on the look all the time and when we are not treated to views of the young lady and her weaponry we have wondrous views of the land and seascape with opening and closing scenes in the snow. That Lady Snowblood is the basis of Tarantinou0026#39;s Kill Bill gives this 50 year old film added interest but for whatever reason you might choose, this is well worth a watch..”