After a decade long streak of classic wuxias
for Shaw that included such films as Killer Clans, The Magic Blade, Clans
of Intrigue and many others, director Chor Yuen was winding down with this
being one of his last in the genre. This isn't rated near his best by most
but I quite enjoyed it as confusing as it initially was. They need to give
classes in Comprehending Wuxia Narrative 101. There is a boatload of sword
fighting but what I liked most was the wonderfully colored and maze like
interior sets. So much so that I looked up the set designer, Chan King-sam,
who it turns out had the same duty on over 400 films - many being the Shaw
wuxias of the 1970s'. Chor Yuen didn't seem to have liked filming outside
on location - too many variables - so he has these beautiful and very artificial
sets created that are self-contained and under his control. The ones here
are especially enjoyable with everything thrown into the mix. There is one
lengthy complex sequence of Ti Lung being trapped in a maze of mirrors right
out of Lady from Shanghai with multiple images of the two people trying to
kill him.
The narrative written by Chor Yuen was less
intriguing and totally convoluted. The often-used story of a Clan wanting
to rule the World of Martial Arts. All they needed was one of those martial
arts manuals to complete the deed. Not ever easy. But Yuen creates some devious
villains and stalwart heroes to fight it out with the lead villain being
a sly deadly female. It takes a while to get the lay of the land but once
you do it is easy to follow even with the fake faces, identity trickery and
many hidden doorways. In these films the villain needs to have the most up
to date lair filled with booby-traps, a spacious foyer, numerous escape exits
and of course it has to be built in a cave or underground. A fog machine
is essential as well. There are no Welcome Home mats. You could pick out
the lair of your choice from Lairs of Super Villains Monthly.
The film begins with a black-clad assassin
receiving a message from a pigeon hiring him to kill a member of the royal
family. This is Dugu Ngan (Ku Kuan-chung) and he performs his mission with
elan and brevity, killing the man while he is in bed with two hostesses.
He looks to be trapped but is able to escape with the help of a mystery man
who turns out to be a woman in disguise and a false face. She takes him to
the hidden lair of the Murung Clan. They want his help. It is run by the
wicked but very clever Murang Gufang (Rainbow Ching Ho-wai) who looks like
she could have you for dessert. And still want more. She tells Dugu that
her Clan has remained hidden for years training and building that lair but
now they are ready to take over the world. They just need that damn manual
that teaches how to make guns and ammunition. Guns and ammunition? What the
hell.
The Bai Clan has it and the Murung's devise
an intricate plan to kidnap the Bai daughter (Ching Li) to ransom her off
for the manual. The Bai's though have the Roving Swordsman Shen (Ti
Lung) as a friend and he is one smart fellow who out thinks the Murungs all
along. There are many group sword fights choreographed by Tong Kai that are
very formal and stylized. Perhaps too many as they all seem similar.
The Murungs also have the reliable Ku Feng on their side as Chameleon. And
Master Bai is played by Kwan Hoi-san who I have never seen previously in
an action role. He acquits himself just fine. Come for the fighting
and stay for the decor - which Yuen happily blows up at the end.
