Reviews

Don't believe the last reviewer, or else you might find yourself missing out on a great "eastern" western. I rented the celestial remastered DVD of this movie and enjoyed the heck out of it. To think that the low star count given by the guy before me had me dreading this film: after seeing it I'm a bit upset at how a person can review this film with so little respect. It's unlike any of the other films made around this time, and it's so beautifully shot that the cinematography alone is worth your time. Made in 1968, this is easily one of the more brooding, unique swordplay films in the Celestial/IVL library. If you liked THE ASSASSIN and ONE ARMED SWORDSMAN, you'll like this film. The look is unique and the experience is a good one. Especially memorable are little flourishes: the director has a different take on the macho swordsman theme than the other directors in the Shaw stable, which makes the film a refreshing change of pace from Chang Cheh and Chu Yuan flicks. Worth a purchase? In my opinion, yes. Worth a look? Definitely.

First let's start on a positive note: The good news is that like the rest of the recently re-released Shaw Bros. films, this one looks absolutely stunning. Celestial/IVL has been doing not only fans of martial arts films a favor but also fans of cinema in general a favor by releasing these previously unseen films en masse to the public. Sure, some might be disappointing, but only when compared to the excellence of those movies released concurrently. And that's it for the good news, really. Unlike BUDDHA'S PALM, or HOLY FLAME OF THE MARTIAL WORLD, or even BATTLE WIZARD, this latest whacked-out swordplay/fantasy movie from Celestial/IVL simply does not deliver the goods. Sure, it has its moments, most of them coming early on, but they are scant. Chu Yuan directs with an aimlessness so powerful it can only be matched by the meanderings of the plot. I say skip it entirely, or at least rent it before buying it blind like I did.