REVIEW #4:THE KNIGHT OF KNIGHTS (1966)

REVIEW #4: 

THE KNIGHT OF KNIGHTS (1966)

Released May 18^th, 1966, THE KNIGHT OF KNIGHTS (1966) is based on a script by Chang Cheh that according to the website Hong Kong Cinemagic is one of Mr. Cheh’s first foray into the wuxia genre. [Chang Cheh was involved in the planning of TEMPLE OF THE RED LOTUS (1965) and THE TWIN SWORDS (1965)]. Produced by both SHAW BROTHERS it is directed by the multitalented Sit Kwan but unfortunately no action director is credited. 

Lee Wan-Chung as Governor Wang

Tang Ti as the bandit Min Kong

During the Ming Dynasty, King Jing of a southern Chinese province entered in an agreement with the Imperial Eunuch Pei to increase the eunuch’s power with the ultimate goal being to usurp the power of the emperor. To this end, King Jing has enlisted the aid of the bandit Min Kong and his men along with the governor of Haimin, Governor Wang. Min Kong and his men disguise themselves as monks and take over the Zhaoqing Monastery as a base of criminal operations. 

Lee Ying as Inspector Lin

The criminal operations of Zhaoqing Monastery consist mainly of human trafficking but it is done as such a level that the people become very disgruntled. To make matters worse, Governor Wang has imposed unfair taxes and has even seized some of the people’s land from them and this causes outrage among the people and attracts the attention of Imperial Inspector Lin who asks his nephew, Wen Suchen of the Seven Men Of Dragon School to investigate the monastery  and the governor and bring him evidence of their crimes.  

Kiu Chong as Wen Sy Chen

Seven Men of Dragon School (minus one)

Unfortunately when Wen Suchen receives the Imperial Inspector’s orders he is visiting his sick mother so he sends his six classmates ahead of him to investigate in his stead. Although his six classmates are highly trained in martial arts they are no match for the booby traps and the hit and run tactics of the fake monks and are wiped out but with one classmate escaping, barely clinging to his life. Wen Suchen and his two young students come across this same classmate on their way to meet up with the rest of the Seven Men Of Dragon School and with his last dying words he tells Wen Suchen of their failed mission at Zhaoqing Monastery!  

Wen Suchen decides a different tact is called for and goes undercover with his two students as a scholar to Zhaoqing Monastery to face Abbot Min Kong. The three of them battle kidnapping, slavery and uncover a plot to murder Imperial Inspector Lin atop of Guanri Pagoda!

CAST REPORT:

the good: Kiu Chong as Wen Su Chen. Lee Ying as Imperial Inspector Lin. Cliff Lok as Wen Lung. Chow Lung-Cheung as Wen Hu. Lily Ho Li-Li as Lin Hong Yu. Lily Li Li-Li as Hsin Yang. 

the bad: Lee Wan-Chung as Governor Wang. Tang Ti as Abbot Kung Ming. Fung Ngai : senior monk. Fan Mei-sheng : senior monk. Tien Shun : senior monk.

Lily Ho Li-Li 's "controversial" scene for the time (1966)

HONORABLE MENTION: Wu Ma, Ku Feng, Liu Liang-Hua, Cheng Lui, Chen Hung-Lieh, Chiu Hung, Wang Kuang-Yu, Simon Yuen Siu-Tin

SPOTTED: Li Ching as Chin (Carpenter You’s sister) and Bruce Lee’s childhood friend (Little) Unicorn Chan as one of the fake monks in the opening of the film. 

FIGHT TIME: THE KNIGHT OF KNIGHTS (1966) has no fight director credited and indeed the quality of the fights (or lack thereof) attests to the lack of skill in the execution of the fight scenes. The fights seemed to me to be very poorly done with the real martial artist looking only slightly skilled and the non-martial artists looking like they had somewhere else to go and wanted to be killed quickly. Not using a fight choreographer was a mistake and the movie suffers from it. I counted only five (6) fight scenes including the short assassination attempt on the Imperial Inspector –enough for a legit kung fu movie and wisely spaced out to keep boredom from being a factor.

HONORABLE MENTION: It is a long way into the movie but, young Cliff Lok has the best-choreographed fight in the movie and is very convincing in warding off multiple opponents. Kudos

RECOMMENDATION: THE KNIGHT OF KNIGHTS (1966) is not a bad movie per-se. It features an all-star cast and guest stars the crème de la crème of the Shaw Brother studios. The script by Chang Cheh is above average as well. It’s major failing is in the lack of martial art style or weapon focus or of martial art choreography. However because of the full back nude scene it is an asterisk in wuxia film history and so it is collectible and should be purchased for this reason. Feel free to keep it in its sealed packaging so it is worth more money. See you next time!

If you liked this review please comment on the blog, become a follower of the blog, join me on my Facebook account by sending me a message first and then a friend request so I know who I am friending (  https://www.facebook.com/Michael529P   ) and like my Facebook page: SHAW Brothers Kung Fu Movies 1965-1986. I thank you and would appreciate it very much!

NEXT UP: THE MAGNIFICENT TRIO (1966)

THE SECRET OF THE DIRK (1970) #054

THE SECRET OF THE DIRK (1970)

Runme Shaw produces Hsu Tseng-Hung's last directed movie for Shaw Brothers Studios: THE SECRET OF THE DIRK (1970). Hsu Tseng-Hung is the most famous director you do not know: he directed the very first movie in the wuxia genre, the wonderful BUT underrated classic, Temple of the Red Lotus (1965) [as well as the two sequels: The Twin Swords (1965) and The Sword and the Lute (1967)]. THE SECRET OF THE DIRK (1970) was released on October 24th, Yat Fong is the script writer and Tang Chia does the fight choreography all by his lonesome. The movie is told in an complex manner but it is really a simple two-party treasure hunt. Let's get busy!

A large army of robbers lead by one, Pa Tien Wang laid siege to the City of Liu for three months forcing its citizens to flee but not before pooling their most precious valuables together in single lock-box. The Liu City treasure's location was kept secret and try as they might neither the robbers nor Pa Tien Wang was able to get their hands on the treasure. 

Twenty years later, Madame Liu returns to the village where a group of the former citizens of Liu City have hidden out. She is mortally wounded by members of The Black Tiger Gang. The Black Tiger Gang are a band of notorious robbers that have learned about the Liu City Treasure Lock-Box and wants it for themselves. Madame Liu had been out searching for some of the missing citizens of Liu City especially a female child named Liu Ching Ching who is the rightful heir of the City of Liu and true custodian of the treasure. Madame Liu had gotten a lead on the child's whereabouts when she was ambushed. On her deathbed, Madame Liu assigns her four students the task of finding the heir Liu Ching Ching and restoring the treasure to the survivors of Liu City. 

Meanwhile The Black Tiger Gang locate and kidnap Liu Ching Ching with the hopes of discovering the location of the Liu Treasure but are coincidentally discovered by Da Law School senior member Zhou Ying Long, who is the sole wielder of the deadly Da Law Sword. Zhou Ying Long is a true knight errant of China and rescues Liu Ching Ching and takes the responsibility to escort her home. 

On the way to bringing Liu Ching Ching back to her home, Zhou Ying Long and Ching Ching both pass by Madame Liu's four students' camp and the students overhear Liu Ching Ching identify herself. Madame Liu's four students decide to acquire Liu Ching Ching but without her permission. By doing so, they become in direct competition with The Black Tiger Gang but with Zhou Ying Long and the Da Law School sitting smack in the middle of the conflict for the Liu City Treasure. The story continues with twists and turns and red herrings but only at the very end do we learn THE SECRET OF THE DIRK. 

Liu Chai-Yung, David Chiang, and Wang Chung starting second from left going left

CAST REPORT

the good: Ching Li as Ming Chu. Chang Yi as Zhou Ying Long. Shu Pei-Pei as Liu Ching Ching. Lin Jing as Madame Liu. Helen Ma Hoi-Lun as Xiao Lan. Cliff Lok as Xiao Ying. Fang Mian as General Liu Tsing. 

the bad: Tien Feng as Wang Shan Hu. Chiu Hung as Wan Tai Zhi.

HONORABLE MENTION: Tang Chia, Chen Kuan-Tai, David Chiang, Liu Chia-Yung and Wang Chung all have minor roles as members of the Black Tiger Gang. 

FIGHT TIME: THE SECRET OF THE DIRK (1970) was fight choreographed solo by Tang Chia. I counted eight (8) fight scenes, most of them were very short but exciting. Some of them seemed pretty chaotic but they were few in number. The movie's finale was excellent, even though it stopped just a little sudden for me there was plenty of tension and excitement as the fights went back and forth from one on one to one versus many from Ching Li's fights to Chang Yi's fights and some shots showing both at the same time. Kudos!

HONORABLE MENTION: There were two honorable mentions, one was the Da Law Sword, a fantastic weapon and the other was Ching Li's performance in the finale when she took a double-handed grip on the sword and went to town you just knew it was about to get bloody!

RECOMMENDATION

Based on the small roles of some prominent stars of the time, I am going to conclude that this is one of the many films that sat a while on a shelf a minute before being released, which in and of itself is not at all a rare practice. Nevertheless, THE SECRET OF THE DIRK (1970) is an entertaining film, flaws and all so I am going to recommend it for general viewers but not necessarily a must have for collectors. The plot twists and red herrings will make you want to watch it a couple of times to figure out what you (or they) missed. Have fun with it! See you next time!

If you liked this review please comment on the blog, become a follower of the blog, join me on my Facebook account by sending me a message first and then a friend request so I know who I am friending (  https://www.facebook.com/Michael529P   ) and like my Facebook page: SHAW Brothers Kung Fu Movies 1965-1986. I thank you and would appreciate it very much!

NEXT UP: THE IRON BUDDHA (1970)