THE EUNUCH (1971)
Released May 12th, THE EUNUCH (1971) is the creative work of prolific screenwriter Lo Wei who surprisingly did NOT direct this movie himself but instead works with brand new director Teddy Yip Wing-Cho. The action director is Simon Chui Yee-Ang and the man that put it all together is the great producer Runme Shaw. This is a very straightforward story of treachery and revenge somewhat based on historical fact. All right, let’s get busy!
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| Pai Ying is THE EUNUCH |
From the middle
of the Zhou Dynasty (6th century B.C.) to the end of Imperial China in the Qing Dynasty (1912 A.D.) the Emperors of China did not trust men and their carnal desires and so used
Eunuchs to work in the palace close to their concubines so there was no chance
of sexual impropriety in the court. Unfortunately the Eunuchs found other ways
to betray the trust and misuse the emperor’s power that was uniquely theirs. The eunuchs were hated with a passion that is often reserved for those that are "different" and so there are many such stories in Chinese history about their misdeeds. This is just one of them that
is also one of revenge. Please enjoy it,... if you can.
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| Chung Wah as the Imperial Crown Prince Zhu Jin |
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| Yeung Chi-Hing as Prince Jin's teacher |
CAST REPORT
the good: Lisa
Chiao Chiao as Yan Yan. Chung Wah as Crown Prince Zhu Jin. Yeung Chi-Hing as
Old man, Man Gongsun, Zhu Jin’s teacher. Yung Yuk-Yi as Old woman master, Yan
Yan’s teacher.
the bad: Pai Ying
as The Eunuch, Gui Dehai. Wang Hsieh as General Ye Zicong. James Tien as
General’s guard. Yeung Chak-Lam as General’s guard. Little Unicorn as General’s
guard.
HONORABLE
MENTION: Sammo Hung as first challenger in contest.
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| Lisa Chiao Chiao as Yan Yan |
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| Yung Yuk-Yi as Yan Yan's teacher |
FIGHT TIME: THE EUNUCH (1971) was choreographed by Simon Chui Yee-Ang by himself (he often shares the chores with Sammo Hung) the last time he choreographed by himself was on A Taste Of Cold Steel (1970) and he once again does a great job and even improves on his previous work. I counted six (6) fight scenes including the extra long finale but I never felt bored at any time during the film. I loved his work most notably with the pole and Lisa Chiao Chiao’s solo fight at the temple was fierce!
HONORABLE
MENTION: Not only was Simon Chui Yee-Ang’s choreography top quality but Lisa
Chiao Chiao’s performance during her solo fight at the temple equally
exceptional. I totally believed each killing technique and I also believed her
taking on such a large number of men at one time with a combination of skill
and rage!! Bravo!
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| Lisa Chiao Chiao after she realizes she has been played... |
RECOMMENDATION:
THE EUNUCH (1971) is an emotionally charged journey of Chinese history that is
well worth watching. In addition, it is Teddy Yip Wing-Cho’s first directed movie
and since he goes on to direct (and write) THE THUNDER KICK (1974), (direct
only) SLEEPING FIST (1979) and (direct only) THE THUNDERING MANTIS (1980) it
is, at least in my opinion a collectible conversation piece for kung fu flick
lovers of all ages. So, overall I’m going to say it is a must-have and
certainly a must-see as an interesting part of Shaw Brothers and karate / kung
fu movie history. See you next time!
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NEXT UP: THE GOLDEN SEAL (1971)
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