

Smallpox Tale
The smallpox virus has created its own unique atmosphere in Terayama’s film where the skin of a bandaged adolescent and the surface of the filmic image are subjected to a bizarre ‘disturbance’ as snails cross the screen and nails are hammered into the skull of the ailing patient. Illness in this film is as much a psychic entity as a physical one and manifests itself in an array of theatrical tableaux from grotesque women rigorously brushing their teeth to a snooker game where the players in white face makeup behave like automata. A Tale of Smallpox uses a medical theme to chart the traumatic dream life of Terayama’s times, evincing deep-rooted concerns in the Japanese national psyche that hark back to the upheaval of Meiji modernisation and the devastation of World War Two.
TMDB
2.0/10
2 votes
- Status
- Released
- Budget
- —
- Box office
- —
- Language
- Japanese
Top billed cast
Gallery








Release dates
NetherlandsNL
- PremiereSource: MUBI (IFFR)20 Feb 1976
Frequently asked questions
- When was Smallpox Tale released?
- Smallpox Tale was released on 20 February 1976.
- Where can I watch Smallpox Tale online?
- No verified streaming availability is listed for Smallpox Tale right now. Check back soon.
- Is there a Hindi trailer for Smallpox Tale?
- No verified Hindi trailer for Smallpox Tale is available yet. Only the original-language trailer is listed.
- What is the rating of Smallpox Tale?
- Smallpox Tale holds a 2.0/10 audience score from 2 votes.
- Who directed Smallpox Tale?
- Smallpox Tale (1976) was directed by Shūji Terayama.
- How long is Smallpox Tale?
- Smallpox Tale runs for 34m.














