The psychological effect war has on the human mind is unimaginable. Following the end of World War II, many anti-war projects would come out of the Japanese entertainment industry from visionaries like Kon Ichikawa, Kaneto Shindo, and Masaki Kobayashi. Jingoistic propaganda was no longer as common and wasn’t being forced upon artists anymore by militarists. Many post-war Japanese war films stand by a humanist nature while reminding audiences how horrific errors should not be repeated. A notable reminder of evolving from past mistakes in history is the superb political thriller “Japan’s Longest Day.”
Based on the non-fiction book of the same name by Kazutoshi Hando and Soichi Oya, this haunting recollection of disturbing events would kickstart the “Toho 8.15 series,” a collection of war movies that recreate Japan’s war history. Fittingly, nihilistic filmmaker and anti-war advocate Kihachi Okamoto would be appointed as the movie’s director and frequent...
Based on the non-fiction book of the same name by Kazutoshi Hando and Soichi Oya, this haunting recollection of disturbing events would kickstart the “Toho 8.15 series,” a collection of war movies that recreate Japan’s war history. Fittingly, nihilistic filmmaker and anti-war advocate Kihachi Okamoto would be appointed as the movie’s director and frequent...
- 8/3/2022
- by Sean Barry
- AsianMoviePulse
Although the role of Yuki Kashima, better known under her nickname “Lady Snowblood”, is one of Meiko Kaji’s trademark characters and perhaps has become increasingly more relevant within global pop culture, initially director Toshiya Fujita had doubts about Kaji, perhaps refusing to act as the titular character in his next project. However, Kaji, having worked with the filmmaker on the “Stray Cat Rock”-series, was quite eager to collaborate with Fujita on what was quite a risky project for both of them, given its period setting during the Meji era in Japan. In the end, “Lady Snowblood” would mark another milestone in the career of the actress, and even inspired the likes of Quentin Tarantino, to name the most prominent examples, with the finale of “Kill Bill, Vol. I” being the most direct homage to Fujita’s film and Kaji’s performance. Considering its status as exploitation cinema and its influence on pop culture,...
- 3/4/2021
- by Rouven Linnarz
- AsianMoviePulse
The Bloodthirsty Trilogy
Blu ray
Arrow Films
1970 – 1974 /2:35 / Street Date May 22, 2018
Starring Yukiko Kobayashi, Chôei Takahashi, Toshio Kurosawa
Cinematography by Kazutami Hara, Rokurô Nishigaki
Written by Ei Ogawa, Hiroshi Nagano
Directed by Michio Yamamoto
Hell-raising vampires invade the normally serene confines of Japanese cinema in three elegant 70’s shockers directed by Michio Yamamoto. Joining far-flung contemporaries like Jean Rollin, Harry Kümel and Stephanie Rothman, Yamamoto’s trilogy helped rejuvenate a genre always hungry for fresh blood.
In 1970’s The Vampire Doll, a restless spirit’s killing spree is the product of a tragic family secret – a storyline out of a Ross Hunter weepy with arterial spray taking the place of tears.
In search of her wayward brother and his girlfriend, Keiko arrives at a lonely country home only to find the sibling gone and his fiancee Yuko dead. Yuko’s saturnine mother is unusually tight-lipped about the circumstances surrounding her...
Blu ray
Arrow Films
1970 – 1974 /2:35 / Street Date May 22, 2018
Starring Yukiko Kobayashi, Chôei Takahashi, Toshio Kurosawa
Cinematography by Kazutami Hara, Rokurô Nishigaki
Written by Ei Ogawa, Hiroshi Nagano
Directed by Michio Yamamoto
Hell-raising vampires invade the normally serene confines of Japanese cinema in three elegant 70’s shockers directed by Michio Yamamoto. Joining far-flung contemporaries like Jean Rollin, Harry Kümel and Stephanie Rothman, Yamamoto’s trilogy helped rejuvenate a genre always hungry for fresh blood.
In 1970’s The Vampire Doll, a restless spirit’s killing spree is the product of a tragic family secret – a storyline out of a Ross Hunter weepy with arterial spray taking the place of tears.
In search of her wayward brother and his girlfriend, Keiko arrives at a lonely country home only to find the sibling gone and his fiancee Yuko dead. Yuko’s saturnine mother is unusually tight-lipped about the circumstances surrounding her...
- 5/19/2018
- by Charlie Largent
- Trailers from Hell
Lady Snowblood/Lady Snowblood 2: Love Song of Vengeance
Written by Norio Osada
Directed by Toshiya Fujita
Japan, 1973/1974
Even the Criterion Collection’s own synopsis can’t help but mention that Lady Snowblood was a major influence on Kill Bill. Chances are, many who have seen this 1973 Japanese film within the past ten year or so, including myself, have done so only after having heard of its connection to Quentin Tarantino’s 2003-04 dual-volume feature. Make no mistake, though, released by Criterion along with its 1974 sequel, Lady Snowblood 2: Love Song of Vengeance, a lesser film in many regards, this is an exceptional movie in its own right, and a pleasant surprise from the estimable distribution company.
Beginning in a Tokyo prison circa 1874, a baby girl, Yuki, is born. Against the dazzling backdrop of a pelting snowstorm, she is delivered into a life of violence and unpleasantness, and is urged by her mother,...
Written by Norio Osada
Directed by Toshiya Fujita
Japan, 1973/1974
Even the Criterion Collection’s own synopsis can’t help but mention that Lady Snowblood was a major influence on Kill Bill. Chances are, many who have seen this 1973 Japanese film within the past ten year or so, including myself, have done so only after having heard of its connection to Quentin Tarantino’s 2003-04 dual-volume feature. Make no mistake, though, released by Criterion along with its 1974 sequel, Lady Snowblood 2: Love Song of Vengeance, a lesser film in many regards, this is an exceptional movie in its own right, and a pleasant surprise from the estimable distribution company.
Beginning in a Tokyo prison circa 1874, a baby girl, Yuki, is born. Against the dazzling backdrop of a pelting snowstorm, she is delivered into a life of violence and unpleasantness, and is urged by her mother,...
- 1/11/2016
- by Jeremy Carr
- SoundOnSight
The bloody adventures of a swordswoman dedicated to murderous revenge provided Quentin Tarantino with a major inspiration. Director Toshiyo Fujita's impeccable images make the gorgeous Meiko Kaji into an almost abstract superheroine in beautiful cultured dress and hairstyles -- and soaked with sprayed blood. The Complete Lady Snowblood Lady Snowblood & Lady Snowblood: Love Song of Vengeance Blu-ray The Criterion Collection 790 & 791 1973/1974 / Color / 2:35 widescreen / 97 & 89 min. / "Shurayukime" & "Shurayukihime: Urami Renga" / available through The Criterion Collection / Street Date January 5, 2016 / 39.95 Starring Meiko Kaji, Toshio Kurosawa, Noboru Nakaya, Eiji Okada; Meiko Kaji, Juzo Itami, Kazuko Yoshiyuki, Yoshio Harada. Cinematography Masaki Tamura; Tatsuo Suzuki Film Editor Osamu Inoue Original Music MasaaakiHirao; Kenjiro Hirose Written by Norio Osada, Kazuo Kamimura, Kazuo Koike Directed by Toshiya Fujita
Reviewed by Glenn Erickson
A worldwide revolution hit the movies in the late '60s, with the relaxing of censorship in the west and the collapse of foreign film industries with the rise of TV.
Reviewed by Glenn Erickson
A worldwide revolution hit the movies in the late '60s, with the relaxing of censorship in the west and the collapse of foreign film industries with the rise of TV.
- 1/9/2016
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
Lady Snowblood (original title: Shurayukihime)
Written by Norio Nagata
Directed by Toshiya Fujita
Japan, 1973
On a windy, wintry night deep inside a prison cell for female inmates, with searing pain erupting through her bodya woman delivers birth to a baby girl. With her dying breath the mother whispers a life mission to her child Yuki: avenge her murdered father, big brother and soon to be dead mother. Yuki grows up to be a strikingly beautiful if eerily pale looking woman (Meiko Kaji) that traverses late 18th century Japan to hunt and annihilate the four foul characters who took advantage of her family during a time of great national turmoil. The film occasionally jumps to and fro in the story’s timeline to juxtapose Yuki’s adult mindset, one filled with quiet rage, and her child years whilst under martial arts tutelage of an old priest (Ko Nishimura).
The 1970s ostensibly...
Written by Norio Nagata
Directed by Toshiya Fujita
Japan, 1973
On a windy, wintry night deep inside a prison cell for female inmates, with searing pain erupting through her bodya woman delivers birth to a baby girl. With her dying breath the mother whispers a life mission to her child Yuki: avenge her murdered father, big brother and soon to be dead mother. Yuki grows up to be a strikingly beautiful if eerily pale looking woman (Meiko Kaji) that traverses late 18th century Japan to hunt and annihilate the four foul characters who took advantage of her family during a time of great national turmoil. The film occasionally jumps to and fro in the story’s timeline to juxtapose Yuki’s adult mindset, one filled with quiet rage, and her child years whilst under martial arts tutelage of an old priest (Ko Nishimura).
The 1970s ostensibly...
- 6/22/2014
- by Edgar Chaput
- SoundOnSight
Lady Snowblood 1 & 2
Stars: Meiko Kaji, Toshio Kurosawa, Masaaki Daimon, Miyoko Akaza, Shinichi Uchida, Takeo Chii, Noboru Nakaya | Written by Norio Osada | Directed by Toshiya Fujita
There is a certain style to vengeance films and it’s arguable that Hollywood is losing the ability to make a truly good one. Kill Bill of course is a good example of a good vengeance story, but the truth is it’s more of homage to films that Tarantino is inspired by, and a damn good one. Lady Snowblood is the obvious inspiration for Kill Bill and of course Tarantino would never hide this, it’s his type of movie and quite honestly, what a movie it is.
Lady Snowblood also known as Yuki Kashima is described as a child of the netherworld, she was born for vengeance then educated in the ways to enact it. Her life has had one aim, even the way she was conceived.
Stars: Meiko Kaji, Toshio Kurosawa, Masaaki Daimon, Miyoko Akaza, Shinichi Uchida, Takeo Chii, Noboru Nakaya | Written by Norio Osada | Directed by Toshiya Fujita
There is a certain style to vengeance films and it’s arguable that Hollywood is losing the ability to make a truly good one. Kill Bill of course is a good example of a good vengeance story, but the truth is it’s more of homage to films that Tarantino is inspired by, and a damn good one. Lady Snowblood is the obvious inspiration for Kill Bill and of course Tarantino would never hide this, it’s his type of movie and quite honestly, what a movie it is.
Lady Snowblood also known as Yuki Kashima is described as a child of the netherworld, she was born for vengeance then educated in the ways to enact it. Her life has had one aim, even the way she was conceived.
- 9/30/2012
- by Pzomb
- Nerdly
To mark the release of the Lady Snowblood films on DVD and Blu-ray, we’ve been given 3 limited edition Steelbook copies of the film to give away. The films stars Meiko Kaji, Toshio Kurosawa, Masaaki Daimon and are directed by Toshiya Fujita.
Next Monday (September 24th) will see the hugely influential Lady Snowblood films lovingly restored and released on Blu-ray for the very first time, anywhere in the world.
From legendary Japanese director Toshiya Fujita, the blood-splattered Samurai masterpieces are widely credited as the main inspiration for Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill movies. Packed to the brim with spectacular costume designs, garish sets, beautiful lens-work (courtesy of acclaimed Japanese cinematographer Masaki Tamura), Lady Snowblood’s influence on Tarantino’s Kill Bill films is clear to see.
Kill Bill borrows plot lines, characters, visual motifs and sets from its 1970s predecessor. In particular, the character O-Ren Ishii is based on Lady Snowblood herself.
Next Monday (September 24th) will see the hugely influential Lady Snowblood films lovingly restored and released on Blu-ray for the very first time, anywhere in the world.
From legendary Japanese director Toshiya Fujita, the blood-splattered Samurai masterpieces are widely credited as the main inspiration for Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill movies. Packed to the brim with spectacular costume designs, garish sets, beautiful lens-work (courtesy of acclaimed Japanese cinematographer Masaki Tamura), Lady Snowblood’s influence on Tarantino’s Kill Bill films is clear to see.
Kill Bill borrows plot lines, characters, visual motifs and sets from its 1970s predecessor. In particular, the character O-Ren Ishii is based on Lady Snowblood herself.
- 9/20/2012
- by Competitions
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
The Water Margin
Directed by Chang Cheh and Wu Ma
Screenplay by Chang Cheh and Ni Kuang
Hong Kong, 1972
However many qualities may be admired about the martial arts classics from the late 60s and early 70s, their scale is not one that frequently produces feelings of awe from within the viewer. In the majority of such cases, while the films are wildly entertaining for their crazy storylines, memorable figures and detailed combat sequences, few of them have a truly epic feel about them. Chang Cheh attempted to rectify that situation in 1972 with his historical motion picture, The Water Margin.
Before the story commences, the viewer is treated to a scrolling text explaining that The Water Margin is, in truth, an important historical text in China. Written in the 14th century, it recounts the tales of various Chinese outlaws turned heroes and their battles against corruption and other evil entities in the 12th century.
Directed by Chang Cheh and Wu Ma
Screenplay by Chang Cheh and Ni Kuang
Hong Kong, 1972
However many qualities may be admired about the martial arts classics from the late 60s and early 70s, their scale is not one that frequently produces feelings of awe from within the viewer. In the majority of such cases, while the films are wildly entertaining for their crazy storylines, memorable figures and detailed combat sequences, few of them have a truly epic feel about them. Chang Cheh attempted to rectify that situation in 1972 with his historical motion picture, The Water Margin.
Before the story commences, the viewer is treated to a scrolling text explaining that The Water Margin is, in truth, an important historical text in China. Written in the 14th century, it recounts the tales of various Chinese outlaws turned heroes and their battles against corruption and other evil entities in the 12th century.
- 1/21/2012
- by Edgar Chaput
- SoundOnSight
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