Slaughter in the Snow (1973): cast, story & where to watch

Released in 1973, Slaughter in the Snow is an action film directed by Kazuo Ikehiro, running about 83 minutes.

What it’s about. In feudal Japan, women are vulnerable, in need of protection, and capable of deception. Jokichi of Mikogami, a drifter, has not yet fully revenged the death of his wife and son. He searches for Kunisada Chuji, who in turn has hired the knife-throwing Windmill Kobunji to kill him. Kobunji and Jokichi meet in the winter, near Sasago Pass, when both have rescued women: Jokichi has saved the lute-playing Oyae whose clan and whose lover want her dead; Kobunji has rescued Oharu, a well-born woman married to an innkeeper. Is this rescue a whim or something deeper? And why does Jokichi become the consumptive Kobunji's protector? What ultimately will Jokichi do about Oyae?

Who’s in it. Slaughter in the Snow stars Yoshio Harada as Jokichi of Mikogami, Hajime Araki, Kai Atō and Gen Takamori, among others.

How it landed. With an audience score of 6.0/10, Slaughter in the Snow 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 Slaughter in the Snow page.

If you liked it. Fans of Slaughter in the Snow 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.