Toshiya Fujita

Lady Snowblood: Blizzard from the Netherworld / Love Song of... Toshiya Fujita

Double bill of Toshiya Fujita's 'Lady Snowblood' films based on the 1970s manga series by Kazuo Koike. 'Blizzard from the Netherworld' (1973) is a brutal, blood-soaked revenge tale set in 1874. Yuki Kashima (Meiko Kaji) is born to a mother who has suffered violence, rape and the unjust killing of her husband at the hands of a ruthless gang of criminals in the months prior to Yuki's birth.

Her mother dies in childbirth and her last request is that Yuki be brought up to be a highly trained assassin with one aim in life: to avenge the death of her parents and kill the criminals who destroyed her family. In the sequel, 'Love Song of Vengeance' (1974), Yuki - aka Lady Snowblood - has been found guilty of the crimes she carried out and is sentenced to hang for multiple murders. She is rescued from the gallows at the last minute by the secret police who want to utilise her talents.

They strike a deal with her to infiltrate a gang of anarchic revolutionaries and assassinate its leader, Ransui Tokunaga (Juzo Itami). Another blood-soaked trail of carnage ensues as Lady Snowblood uses her formidable skills in the fight for honour, freedom and justice...