Hero of Swallow
Swallow as in a bird - I thought it was as in
to swallow something. Not that it really matters in this Yuen Biao vehicle.
A difficult film to judge - there are a lot of the elements that I enjoy
in a HK film - action, heroics and wire flying - but none of it was very
satisfying.
The film takes place in the early 1900's and Yuen's
girlfriend Chinny is kidnapped and sold into the brothels of Peking. Intent
on getting her back, he becomes a martial arts master and takes on the
identity of the Hero of Swallow - who steals from the rich and gives to
the poor. Finally he goes to Peking to look for his love, but is at the
same time being looked for by the law. Lots of action scenes as Yuen battles
the police and also with Eddie Ko who is guardian to a Prince.
The fight scenes though lack a certain oomph as
they appear to be more choreographed dance routines than martial arts as
there is a lot of swirling about and a huge amount of flying around - thus
the Swallow of the title. The final religious like tableau is a bit
bizarre and out of step with the rest of the film. Others inform me that
Yuen was hurting and actually was doubled for much of the film.
My rating for this film: 5.0
