Snow on The Blades (2014): cast, story & where to watch

Released in 2014, Snow on The Blades is an action, drama and history film directed by Setsuro Wakamatsu, running about 120 minutes. “The last of the bodyguards hunts for the final assassin.” — that tagline sets the tone.

What it’s about. At Sakurada Gate in 1860, the shogun’s chief minister and his retinue of bodyguards are ambushed and annihilated. Bearing the responsibility and shame for this failure is Shimura Kingo, master swordsman and chief of the guard. Forbidden to take his own life in atonement, he is instead tasked with hunting down the remaining assassins; however, fate intervenes and now only one is left. Devoted to his late lord and his duty, he relentlessly pursues the sole remaining assassin for the next thirteen years. But times are changing in Japan and the way of the sword has become outlawed. What does this mean for Kingo?

Who’s in it. Snow on The Blades stars Kiichi Nakai as Kingo Shimura, Hiroshi Abe as Jyubei Sahashi, Kichiemon Nakamura II as Naosuke Ii and Hirosue Ryoko as Setsu Shimura, among others.

How it landed. With an audience score of 6.0/10, Snow on The Blades has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.

Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Snow on The Blades page.

If you liked it. Fans of Snow on The Blades tend to enjoy The Dark Knight, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, Inception and The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.