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Lady Snowblood
Lady Snowblood
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Lady Snowblood

Lady Snowblood

1973
Drama, Suspense/Thriller
1h 37m
A young girl is born and raised to be an instrument of revenge. (imdb)

Lady Snowblood

1973
Drama, Suspense/Thriller
1h 37m
Your probable score
Avg Percentile 66.03% from 670 total ratings

Ratings & Reviews

(676)
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Rated 17 May 2015
93
98th
Has more than its fair share of companions in the genre and it's no secret what and who it inspired, but Snowblood exceeds both its contemporary compatriots and future spawn. Kaji is wonderful; sensational to look at in every scene, commanding complete attention. There's a load of great moments, beautiful little glimpses of rage and angst amongst the oddness, peculiarity and blood. I found it impossible not to love, and yes, as great as "Kill Bill" is, I'd take Snowblood any day.
Rated 08 Apr 2016
80
77th
Why? Revenge. *checks revenge on the clipboard*
Rated 12 Nov 2014
83
86th
Interesting twist on the classic rape-revenge story and told with fantastic style. Meiko Kaji is brilliant as the ice cold assassin born and raised as an instrument of revenge. As with many of these exploitation films from 70s Japan, there is a political context to it all but it plays out in the background of a vivid, mythical and hyper stylized saga of vengeance. As an exploitation film, it's significantly more elegant and less crude than most of its peers. More or less superb entertainment.
Rated 20 Jan 2019
78
72nd
They say she looks like she couldn't hurt a fly, but that's not true, she scares the crap out of me
Rated 04 Jun 2016
91
94th
How could i not love a 70s japanese splatterfest? Its gorgeous to look at, meiko kaji demands your attention as the lead, and it flows nicely with welldirected outlandish action. I particularly enjoyed how the "chapter" segments were used...then abandoned when the story twisted a bit. The choice of setting it at the end of the 19th century also subtley introduced themes of westernization and imminent warmongering that aren't present in traditional samurai type films.
Rated 28 Feb 2016
71
85th
Japs ripping off Tarantino's Kill Bill...Oh, wait... Lady Snowblood is a great dramatic story, although sometimes it gets eyebrow-raisingly cynical. What makes it special is the classy style, and this movie has plenty of it. Meiko Kaiji in kimono killing people with a sword, opening fountains of blood - and it's even better than it sounds. Somehow it rises above exploitation movies too.
Rated 11 Apr 2013
87
86th
Man, I could really go for a strawberry snow-cone right now.
Rated 16 Nov 2011
64
48th
Turns out to be almost exactly the same movie as Sex And Fury except without the sex scenes, with a plot that takes itself more seriously, and more high-pressure blood. (Seriously. All that sushi must be very good to people's hearts.) Both of these movies, apparently, were inspirations for Kill Bill Vol 1 and it's very easy to spot the outright thefts... I mean, hommages. I'm pretty sure they're better than Kill Bill Vol 1 at any rate.
Rated 30 Apr 2009
84
94th
Very Nice Adaption Of The Manga. Because Of The Episodical Structure Of The Source Material They Could Leave Out Some Side Plots And Still Capture The Essence. Some Minor Changes Like The Origin Of The Novel Writer Are Okay To Keep It Tighter.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
83
77th
I don't mind the absurd geysers of blood, but having it be bright red just ruins it for me, and I also don't care for the narration. But it's a solid, watchable revenge flick that keeps rolling along without losing steam. Some excellent photography, including great use of color and some killer zooms. Groovy modern soundtrack. Fun to watch either on its own merits or just to play "count the things Quentin stole".
Rated 13 Nov 2020
8
78th
Focussing solely on the recurring splashes of blood - which IMHO are not nearly as gratuitous as they are in Kill Bill's Crazy 88 sequence - would prevent the film from getting the credit it deserves. This is a story-driven, well performed and competently shot revenge flick that finds an agreeable middle ground between style and substance. Went from liking it to pretty much loving it.
Rated 05 Sep 2018
100
94th
It's like Kill Bill if it were good. I don't know what color process Japan was using on these 70s exploitation features but it's awesomely garish.
Rated 26 Mar 2017
80
85th
Lady Snowblood is a must watch for fans of Japanese cinema, especially those with a leaning toward the more violent film. I must admit that it's not as violent as I'd expected, but it's also much more elegant.
Rated 09 Aug 2016
6
53rd
A typical but beautifully shot revenge tale.
Rated 06 Feb 2016
70
63rd
Great technique in the camera moviments and in the cinematography, although the low-budget leads to compromises, like the excessive editing in the fighting scenes. The plot is a classic revenge flick, with a good historic background that gives an another level of interpretation to the plot. The film thrives on visual contrast: in colors, lights or dresses; but of course the biggest contrast its in the main character: a beautiful and sweet cold-blood killer. Enjoyable and stylish beyond its will.
Rated 11 Nov 2014
85
82nd
Doesn't work as an exploitation, but it's a helluva movie. It has that garish Toho color chiaroscuro, a fairly clever editing logic, and an adept Meiko Kaji, embodying needed pain and menace behind a thick layer of animus. The constant dialogue exposition conflicts with every realized scene.
Rated 19 Feb 2012
75
61st
kill bill rip off
Rated 12 Feb 2012
85
94th
Exceeds being a straightforward revenge-tale; a story of obsession and tragedy, where vengeance burdens people and is never as simple (or satisfying) as it seems.
Rated 10 Feb 2012
38
24th
Lady Snowblood has the same plot, down to the details, of thousands of other Japanese and American revenge-themed action movies. Like most of them, it lacks anything like intelligence. As in the worst of them, every wound sprays torrents of bright red dye. What makes it stand out? Well, the protagonist is a babe, and... I guess not much else.
Rated 13 Jul 2009
70
73rd
A great movie, but I feel as though it could have been improved upon. Luckily, however, "Kill Bill" did exactly that.
Rated 18 Dec 2008
92
87th
Lady Snowblood is great even Tarantino got inspired by that Movie for his Kill Bill Project... Great Japanese Flick with a lot of blood.
Rated 16 Feb 2008
84
77th
It's a gory revenge tale, although since most everything is pretty exagerated the gore doesn't have much impact. The story is also a bit silly and over the top. These aren't really criticisms, however, since it's great fun and pretty stylish. All the elements fit together pretty well and while there are weaknesses they don't really detract from, and sometimes even enhance, the overall film.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
80
84th
Lovely lady kills with her concealed sword. The theme song (and most of the plot) from this movie was used in Kill Bill.
Rated 05 Feb 2007
86
80th
Em honra de Kazuo Koike (1936 - 2019) filme #7. Esse filme cresceu em mim desde a última vez que o vi há uns quinze anos, acho que agora tenho maturidade o suficiente para ver tudo que há de exuberante neste fabuloso exemplar de pink violence. DVD duplo Versátil.
Rated 18 Feb 2024
90
94th
Despite the obvious mercenariness of the genre, there is (or was) a greater leeway in exploitation films for formal playfulness than in more culturally prestigious productions, and 'Lady Snowblood' is one of the few examples of it resulting in a work that's not merely intriguing but actually great. You've got to admire the confidence that the story you're telling is so compelling that the constant reminders of its artificiality only enhance its effect.
Rated 31 Jan 2024
85
93rd
This is such a treat for the eyes and as a vengeance story, it is truly a classic. Color is used effectively here, as is lighting, and it feels like a painting at times. Meiko Kaji is incredible, being able to communicate so much with just her eyes and her face; emotions ranging from wrath to sorrow. A lot of spurting around in here plus a killer soundtrack with some Japanese songs paired with the odd bit of jazz.
Rated 24 Sep 2023
84
80th
2023'de #IzlediğimFilmler ; 159. Shurayukihime (1973) Yine çağının çok ötesinde bir sinema klasiği. 1973'te çekildiğine yine inanamadım izlerken. Hiç eskimiyor. 8/10 #BenimleYaşıtFilmler
Rated 18 Jun 2023
89
88th
It's obvious where Tarantino got this major influence from. But how can you not watch this film and consider it so badass that you want to recreate it and share with everyone? Shout out a strong female protagonist. 90 minutes of fire.
Rated 14 Oct 2021
9
84th
So. much. blood! I adored everything about this movie. From the incredible opening score to Meiko Kaji, the spectacular use of lighting and shadows. It's all so extravagantly stylish. I had always heard that Kill Bill was inspired by this movie but was shocked to see exactly how much Tarantino actually took from it.
Rated 14 Jul 2021
95
86th
So this is the movie QT ripped off I mean paid homage to with Kill Bill Vol. 1. That figures. Pretty radical movie.
Rated 02 May 2021
71
47th
So basically (spoiler alert) she was trained for 20 years just to kill a sick old man, cut a dead woman in half and pierce through a man that barely could move anyway, and all of this just to be shot and then stabbed and left for death by the whore daughter of the man that raped her mother and killed her father. Wow, that's quite a revenge.. not!
Rated 06 Nov 2020
80
90th
Rated 20 Jul 2020
80
75th
Incredibly violent (as is to be expected) but also incredibly beautiful and compelling. Gorgeous cinematography and excellent acting and special effects.
Rated 01 Feb 2020
60
42nd
The icy-veined antiheroine, played with steely tenacity by Meiko Kaji, is a formidable presence throughout this grim, pulpy and rather fun revenge tale, but unfortunately most of the action scenes are too poorly shot to appreciate all of the bloody, manga-style violence, and the ending, while aptly stressing the cyclically destructive nature of vengeance, isn’t delivered with much gusto.
Rated 25 Sep 2019
65
45th
With a very solid leading performance from Kaji, an intriguing premise & mostly coherent plot, as well as plenty of over-the-top action that's a lot of fun when mixed with the drama of the story & inventive plot structure, it has plenty of strong elements that combine to make a worthwhile ride. However, it also has some offputting elements & drags considerably during its final act. Overall, it's considered a classic for a reason & is worth checking out, but is an acquired taste.
Rated 30 Oct 2018
70
64th
Storywise it's quite uninspiring however the style of the film is so beautiful and remarkable.
Rated 28 Jun 2017
86
94th
So, so, so gorgeous in its composition and photography. Brutal violence as visual poetry.
Rated 04 Apr 2016
45
60th
Perfectly watchable b-picture-- nor more, nor less.
Rated 09 Nov 2015
50
49th
An infant girl is brutal raised to revenge her parent's murder. A refined appearance hides a cold blooded killer. The premise is outrageous & incredible, but interesting. Fights were badly chopped up & blood squirts like from a hose. She saves a man to kill him herself. Quite heavy handed. Predictable reveals. Cheesy music. Poor direction & writing with several very odd scenes, confusing moments & some stupid nonsense. Overall, it was entertaining but could very easily have been much better.
Rated 15 Apr 2013
7
75th
"Şiddete meyyalim vallahi dertten."
Rated 20 Feb 2013
54
40th
This should always be remembered as the film that influenced Kill Bill -- specially the bloody sequences and the beautiful, and most gifted and final scene of this film, in which the second revenge girl kills the leading one in a field of snow --, but also as a flawed, sometimes clumsy and confusing -- the zooming is cool as hell, but the editing is messy, as well as the plot distractions --, cult chambara film.
Rated 29 Jan 2013
90
91st
Doesn't always work but it usually does. It does explore society issues a bit, but most people are probably watching it to see a girl get revenge. And it succeeds. The ending is wonderful, with a great atmospheric shot in the snow.
Rated 17 Jul 2011
80
61st
Them Japaneses sure do enjoy them some revenge flicks, don't they? Lady Snowblood is probably a bit better in cinematic terms than the Scorpion films, but overall they're pretty similar. There's less of that whole exploitation thing going on here, which is probably for the best. Lady Snowblood flirts with being A Serious Film at times, but when it comes down it it's primarily an action movie with comical amounts of blood in it, just like Kill Bill. I enjoyed it.
Rated 07 May 2011
86
76th
Good complement to the Lone Wolf & Cub series, though not nearly as awesome. Fun times though.
Rated 08 Mar 2010
60
22nd
Ehhh, this isn't nearly as good as Lone Wolf and Cub, as far as revenge sagas go, and the constant repetition bothered me. There are only so many ways you can say, "You are a child of the netherworlds, born for revenge. Your umbrella of blood will rain vegeance upon the evildoers," before it gets old/silly.
Rated 24 Feb 2010
3
61st
Impressive chambara flick with a strong female protagonist and the requisite buckets of blood. The chronologically disjointed montage editing was stylish, but added little to the actual telling of the story. Flawed, but enjoyable.
Rated 25 Jan 2010
76
71st
As far as revenge movies go, this one was pretty well-rounded. The female lead and the whole 'next generation' concept were refreshing, the movie moves along at a decent pace and it was surprisingly bloody at times. Not spectacular, but definitely holds up today.
Rated 22 Dec 2009
62
73rd
Meiko Kaji is incredible, but the film doesn't have much else to offer. The story is so-so, the villains bland, and the violence, while occasionally striking, has been far outdone in other revenge films. See it if you're a Kaji fan or you want to know where Kill Bill came from, otherwise skip it.
Rated 19 Jan 2009
3
38th
Pretty fun revenge flick with some nice twists (although the plot can be a bit predictable at times - who didn't know that the head guy was only faking his death?), and some pretty enjoyable action scenes. I'll be honest, though - I prefer Kill Bill. Quentin is often better than the films he loves to talk about.
Rated 17 Oct 2007
70
36th
As a singer, actress, and ninja, Meiko Kaji's a triple threat. Snowblood is not a great movie, and it hasn't aged like one; but it's still watchable.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
80
44th
Got boring in some parts. I suppose if I saw this BEFORE Kill Bill I'd appreciate it a lot more. I kept comparing the two during the film which in turn changed my thoughts on it a little.

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