The Tattooed Swordswoman ( Kaidan nobori ryû ) ( The Blind Woman's Curse (The Tattooed Swords woman) )

The Tattooed Swordswoman (Blu-Ray) (*)

~~$32.99~~ $29.98

Original Title: Kaidan nobori ryû
Alternate Title: The Blind Woman's Curse (The Tattooed Swords woman)
Language Selections:
English ( Subtitles )
Japanese ( Dolby Digital 2.0 )
Japanese ( Dolby Linear PCM )
Japanese ( Mono )

Product Origin/Format:
United Kingdom ( Blu-Ray/Region B )

Running Time:
85 min

Aspect Ratio:
Anamorphic Widescreen (2.35:1)

Special Features:
Commentary
Interactive Menu
Scene Access
Special Edition
Trailer(s)
Booklet
Blu-Ray & DVD Combo

Movie filmed in 1970 and produced in:
Japan ( India, Eastern Asia )

Directed By:
Teruo Ishii

Written By:
Teruo Ishii
Chûsei Sone

Actors:
Meiko Kaji ..... Akemi Tachibana
Hoki Tokuda ..... Aiko Gouda
Makoto Satô ..... Tani Shouichi
Hideo Sunazuka ..... Kantaro
Shirô Ôtsuji ..... Senba-tatsu
Tôru Abe ..... Dobashi
Yoshi Katô ..... Jutaro Mitsui
Yôko Takagi ..... Chie Mitsui , Chie-chan
Tatsumi Hijikata ..... Ushimatsu , Hunchback dancer
Shirô Yanase ..... Kawaguchi
Shinzô Shibata ..... Aozora
Ryôhei Uchida ..... Gouda
Bumon Kahara ..... Tsune
Akira Takahashi ..... Nobuo
Yûzô Harumi

Synopsis:

Akemi and the man of her clan confront their opponents; Akemi delivers a sword thrust to kill the opponents' leader, and Aiko, his daughter, tries to interpose herself, suffering a glancing blow to her eyes, thus cutting her badly, and blinding her. Amid the ensuing fight, no one notices that a black cat laps the young woman's wound. Years later, revenge between the two clans continue, plus added dissension amongst Akemi's people, leading to more deaths. A new member comes to help them, but she is a strange woman - and blind. The curse of the blind woman is about to fell on the dragon-lady.

As with many Japanese exploitation movies of the period, Blind Woman's Curse is a strange and uneasy blend of genres and influences. Mixing Yakuza turf wars and supernatural horror the film is a psychedelic yet rather campy action movie as a blind woman attempts to avenge the death of her brother against a female mob boss (Meiko Kaji in her first screen role under her new stage name). Meiko Kaji became one of the most iconic stars of Japanese exploitation cinema with roles such as Lady Snowblood cementing her legacy. Even in this early performance she is magnetic and by far the best thing about the film starring as Akemi, a gang leader who believes she is cursed when she accidentally blinds the sister of her former rival. Haunted by the black cat that ominously lapped at the spilled blood of battle when she returns from prison she finds that not only must she contend with ruthless rivals but also a supernatural force beyond her control. The film opens brilliantly on a slow motion rain-soaked sword fight between rival gangs. It is atmospheric and stylish as hell. It is a blistering introduction to the film and Meiko Kaji and whilst director, Teruo Ishii, litters the film with a series of striking sequences it never quite achieves the same heights again. A big reason for this is that Kaji is often sidelined as the film spends time developing subplots and the other characters but few of the actors possess the same draw and charisma as the mob boss with a dragon tattoo. Blind Woman's Curse is a bizarre and uneven film. The film's large scale sequences are impressively staged but Ishii struggles when developing the character moments. The film's attempts at comedy are either woefully dated or lost in translation whilst they never sit comfortably with the Gothic atmosphere and story of vengeance and betrayal. As it lurches from slapstick, bloody violence and supernatural revenge, Ishii struggles to bring it altogether. The restless tone at least makes sure the film is never boring but the mix of genres has been handled more successfully by his contemporaries. Fun but messy, Blind Woman's Curse is a flawed yet memorable screen introduction for Meiko Kaji. With striking cinematography and individual scenes of greatness it is certainly worth a watch.

This product was added to our catalog on Tuesday 29 April, 2014.