Legendary Director Toshiya Fujita finally gets his Samurai/Revenge classics on a High Definition Disc.
Originally Manga tales from Kazuo Kioke and Kzuo Kamimura, Lady Snowblood and its sequel Lady Snowblood: Love Song of Vengeance tell a twisted a bloody tale of revenge.
Born in a female prison, Yuki was born for one purpose and one alone, that purpose is to avenge those who wronged her bloodline. Find the four people who were instrumental in the murder of Yuki's Father and her older brother... and also punish them for the ordeal they put her mother through afterwards.
It's a tale of vengeance that has a lot to say and bloody hell it's great!
Tarentino said he was inspired by Lady Snowblood when Kill Bill came in to being, the shocking thing is (which I never realised), Kill Bill Vol 1 is practically a modern retelling of Lady Snowblood from direction, right through to the story which kind of explains why Kill Bill Vol 2 was so middle of the road because Tarentino had used up all the amazing Juju that Lady Snowblood had to offer.
For a film from 1973, Lady Snowblood is ahead of the curve with its action, style and impact when it comes to storytelling. From afar this is a pretty generic tale of vengeance with silly sound effects and some truly hilarious moments that shouldn't be hilarious. Should child abuse be funny? It can be in Lady Snowblood.... Stay in the mother F***ing barrel!!!
Okay so they don't talk like they're in a Tarentino flick, this is Japan way back when morality and Eastern traditions were most important. Although that didn't stop people from murdering, raping and taking advantage of the fundamentally stupid.
Yuki played by Meiko Kaji actually becomes a hero for these people as a reporter picks up her story and joins her on the path for vengeance although his vested interest in one of Yuki's victims may put her very life in peril.
Lady Snowblood is a hit in Cinematography, Story and Acting, this is a triple threat and then some; with some amazing sequences that don't make this a tacky action flick but make it a dramatic tale of revenge that film makers should be looking to emulate but not rip off entirely no matter how good they rip it off.
I feel kind of dirty now when I look at Kill Bill Vol 1 on the shelf, I love it but there's so much Lady Snowblood in it that it's bloody amazing that Tarentino got away with it. Then again had this not popped through the letter box for review, I probably would have steered clear from it but boy am I glad it did.
Lady Snowblood is one of those AMAZING points in movie history that means it is a must watch before you leave the mortal coil!
The Blu-ray contains both Lady Snowblood and its sequel and although the print used for the HD master does have a scratch or two on it, the transfer is great, it's not as colourful as it could have been with a little more work but the pastel hue of it all adds a real charm and balance to the piece which works out in the long run. It's not stunning, nothing truly pops out but there is depth and clarity here which has come to be expected from Arrow Video when working on their transfers.
The Audio is 2.0 Uncompressed so it's the front speakers only I'm afraid but then again this is an old film and it's great to hear just how clear the Japanese audio is, including the zany sound effects used to create a truly unique experience when it comes to action.