The Complete Lady Snowblood The Criterion Collection Blu-ray

If your looking into this film expecting it to be like a Tarantino style movie WILL be disappointed. While you can see where Tarantino got his influences in this film, don't mistake it for being a lot like kill bill. It is not and I'm so happy for that. Though I will say it is not the best edited films. There are moments where the music cuts out too early instead of a fade out or transition. The character intros have no music sting or track for each character, and minor amount of camera angles are a bit awkward, but you also need to consider the production abilities of the time, region, and budget. Those small factors do not make up the product however. The acting is great, the soundtrack is really cool and of course, has some of that boppin' 70's funkadelic! Although it sounds like some ingredients for an awesome action packed thrill ride of samurai swordsmanship, this film is much heavier on drama and culture. In reiteration, this will not be like a modern Tarantino flick, but it is awesome, cool, beautiful, sad, and tragic. All around a fantastic movie and worth being in any collection. Read more

Criterion Blu-Rays are well worth their price with their repackaged original artwork and essays that come with it. The special features are also good. Here is my review of the first film in the set: Yuki is born in a prison as an Asura demon that has no choice but to carry out assassinations of the four people that wronged her mother. Damn the style and flare of this movie is so great, making it feel well ahead of its time. The music and cinematography are both quite varied throughout showing a large range of technique and skill in filmmaking. Yuki (Lady Snowblood) takes her namesake and mission very seriously, she is cold and ruthless while still expressing torn emotions that she feels towards her goal and what she must achieve for her mother. This is a cool classic Samurai film that Tarantino borrowed a lot from for Kill Bill and I can see why. Academy Award goes to the barrel rolling training montage. Read more

So many people compare these films to Kill Bill. They claim Tarantino got his inspiration here. But no matter if he did or did not, these are terrific films on their own. And the idea of bloodthirsty female revenge is not new. Kuroneko is an older Japanese film where the women are possessed by vengeful cat spirits, reborn, and slaughter samurai. Not new. But these are sumptuously shot, richly colored films from 1973 and 1974, which were in a weird lost decade for Japanese film (there were some good ones... but a LOT of bad ones). These films were based on the manga of a similar name (Japanese translations can vary). So do not compare these to Kurosawa or Tarantino, enjoy these on their own. They are over the top, bloody revenge flicks. They are amazing for being what they are and not trying to hard to be anything else. This 2 Blu-Ray collection was a stunning price and has TONS of extras! (digital tons... not real tons... heh). Criterion has produced a lovely set for the fans. Thank you for showing your love Criterion. Now take my money! Read more

Beautiful, chilling and great copy of both Lady Snowblood movies. If you are a fan of Quentin Taratino's Kill Bill this one is for you! This was one of the major inspirations for Kill Bill including the use of the song Flower of Carnage that was used near the ending of the first volume, sung by no other then our leading lady. Meiko Kaji is a fantastic actress that stared in many movies during this period, including the famous Lady Scorpion series. She shines though as Lady Snowblood. The first movie is beautiful however the second does not live up to the first in my opinion but is still worth a watch. Read more

Just a bloodbath nothing more. But beautiful movies to look at. Read more

Excellent transaction all around. Read more

"Lady Snowblood" is an absolute classic of 1970s Japanese cinema and its shadow looms large over the plot and cinematography of Quentin Tarantino's excellent "Kill Bill", which was clearly inspired by this movie. This movie (and its sequel, "Love Song of Vengeance", also included in this Criterion release) are essential viewing for fans of Japanese cinema, fans of revenge films and fans of Quentin Tarantino. While the special features aren't anything that special, it is still two movies for the price of one, and they've been painstakingly restored to fine detail and brilliant color, per Criterion's usual high standard. I found myself blown away by the first movie and entertained by the sequel. I have no regrets about this purchase. Read more

Love these movies. Lady Snowblood was very bad ass. Happy to add to my collection. A must have that goes with my Lone Wolf and Cub collection. Bloody and compelling story. Action packed. Read more