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!

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NEXT UP: THE MAGNIFICENT TRIO (1966)

THE JADE FACED ASSASSIN (1971) #63

THE JADE FACED ASSASSIN (1971)

Released April 9th, THE JADE FACED ASSASSIN (1971) is the first movie adaptation of (pen name) Gu Long’s extremely popular wuxia novel: Jue Dai Shuang Jiao which has been called in English: The Proud Twins, Two Peerless Heroes, The Legendary Siblings, etc. It was produced by Sir Run Run Shaw, scripted by Wong Fung [The Golden Knight (1970)], and directed by Yan Jun [The Iron Buddha (1970)] who, this time, does not use or at least does not credit an action director which is surprising considering the popularity of this stand-alone novel from Gu Long but we shall see what we shall see, eh? Let me point out from the outset that the twins are both male in the novel but Sir Run Run Shaw went for the female lead as is his usual choice so one twin is female and the other is male. Okay, let’s get busy!

The Chang Chuen Clan Creed

The head master of the Chang Chuen Clan had bestowed the Clan leadership to his most senior male student, Chang Chun on his deathbed. This is done in the Jiang Hu by handing over a badge known as the Headmaster's Creed. Unfortunately Chang Chun was not the most skillful of his pupils. That honor went to the older of his three daughters. While the second daughter feel in love with Chang Chun, he had an affair and twin children with the youngest daughter and he had no choice after their master’s death but to take his family and run for their lives. But before he left, he sent a message to his foster brother the hero, Lian Lan Yan informing him of his plight and asking for help.

Chang Chun, his wife and twin infants had only gone a short way when The Weird Four of Lao Shan ambushed them, taking the Chang Chuen Clan Creed in their possession and were intent on murdering them all. Suddenly, the second elder sister appeared and struck down the whole gang saving them. But when the eldest sister came everything changed. She was the big sister and the highest skilled and by right she should be the clan headmaster so she killed her youngest sister and her husband and grabbed a sword intent on o murdering the twin babies. 

Second Sister (Er Jie)

Eldest Sister (Jie Jie)

However the second sister could not bear the murder of the two infants so she convinced her older sister that they should instead, separate the two siblings and create a situation where they would end up killing each other making for an exquisite revenge. The eldest sister agreed and they went back to their mansion taking the male sibling. Over a period of eighteen years, she raised the child (Hua Yu Chun) as a member of the Chang Chuen Clan and made him vow to find Lian Lan Yan and kill him and any of his family members as sworn enemies of the clan.  

When the Hero Lian Lan Yan finally comes across the scene of the bloodied bodies he finds two survivors: the female infant and Black Face, one of The Weird Four of Lan Shan. Black Face tells Lian Lan Yan that Chang Zhai set him up as a fall guy and is waiting at Happy Valley. Hero Lian leaves Black Face right where he is to die while taking the female infant with him and goes off to Happy Valley to find Chang Zhai.

When Hero Lian gets to Happy Valley he finds a haven for villains and the evil people there promptly trick him and beat him nearly to death. But Lan Cun Xiu, the Poison Scholar has come to Happy Valley to turn over a new leaf, so he deceives the other residents of Happy Valley into letting him keep Hero Lian to use as a human guinea pig while the villains decide to keep the female infant with the intention of raising her and training her to be a champion of evil. However over the course of eighteen years she (Xiao Lu Er) learns her true identity from Lan Cun Xiu and is told to find Chang Zhai and revenge her father's death.

Lily Ho as Xiao Lu Er

Kao Yuen as Hua Yu Chun

Now they both walk the Jiang Hu on a collision course with destiny. I am not going to keep it from you, this is an epic tale, and an adaptation worthy of the original novel and is a must see!

CAST REPORT

the good: Lily Ho Li-Li as Xiao Lu Er. Kao Yuen as Hua Yu Chun. Ku Feng as Lian Lan Yan. Fan Mei-Sheng as Yu Chi Zhou Guang. Violet Pan Ying-Zi as Tse Xin Chan. 

the bad: Chang Pei-Shan as Chang Zhai / Chang Ting Le. Essie Lin Chia as Jie Jie. Chia No as Black Face. Kwok Chuk-Hing as Er Jie

HONORABLE MENTION: Lily Ho Li-Li has captured the spirit of the character Xiao Lu Er from Gu Long's novel and draws us in enough to enjoy the movie. Good acting! 

FIGHT TIME: THE JADE FACED ASSASSIN (1971) is directed by Yan Jun who (according to the credits) doubles as the action director. I counted ten (10) fight scenes including the finale and there is plenty of action here to entertain us along with a great story. I must say though, the action has a low-tech, old fashioned feel (not as slick as say, Tang Chia’s work). Funny thing is, the choreography is very well suited for the feel of the movie and complements the background music and overall style of the film. Good job overall 

HONORABLE MENTION: Liu Chia-Yung has a minor cameo, and I spotted Wang Chung and Yuen Cheung-Yan as extras / stuntmen.

RECOMMENDATION: THE JADE FACED ASSASSIN (1971) is a “must see” and opportunity to experience popular Chinese modern literature without learning to read the most difficult written language (imo) on earth.  As the first adaptation of Gu Long’s very popular novel it should have some collector’s value as well. Get this movie at all cost, don’t say I didn’t tell ya! See you next time!

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NEXT UP: THE DUEL (1971)

HEADS FOR SALE (1970) #048

HEADS FOR SALE (1970)

This time Producer Runme Shaw teams up Director Walter Chung Chang-Hwa with the gifted Script writer Yip Yat-Fong for HEADS FOR SALE released May 6th, 1970. Wild and interesting, with plenty of action but no action director, I can't wait to get into this one, so --let's get busy!

Hua Chen-Fang had long turned over a new leaf. He had been a "successful" burglar to the extent that he was able to retire with his wife and daughter and live in a modest comfort. Everyone in the Jiang Hu knew of his past life but because he had never harmed anyone, everyone could tolerate his presence. However when his daughter, Hua Bi-Lian, became of the age to marry, no one would accept her hand. To Hua Pi-Lien, herself, this was not a problem until the one man she did fancy: Luo Hong-Xun, also refused to marry her. Hua Bi-Lian then set out to confront him. 

Luo Hong-Xun attempted to reason with Hua Bi-Lian but she was too enraged. So, during their fight, he pretended she struck him and she was suddenly taken aback and raced off on her horse. After a while, however, Hua Bi-Lian's parents came to the Luo's home demanding he return Hua Bi-Lian to them. She had gone missing and they thought she was with him. Hong-Xun's mother explains to Bi-Lian's mother what happened and the Hua's take off to find their daughter. Luo Hong-Xun decides to go after Hua Bi-Lian and bring her back to her family. 

After leaving Luo Hong-Xun's house, Hua Bi-Lian comes across a man attempting to commit suicide by hanging himself from a tree. She cuts him down and learns he is doing so because he was tricked into gambling and lost his wife away to the gambling hall manager, Wan San-Ju for ten taels of gold. Bi-Lian goes to the gambling house to win back the wife, she gambles and wins the wife back and (of course) is attacked by Wan San-Ju and his men after the fact. During their battle, Hong-Xun catches up to Bi-Lian and jumps in to assist her and together they chases away Wan San-Ju and the remaining attackers. 

Gambling hall manager Wan San-Ju goes to report this trouble to his boss, and he turns out to be none other than Huang Lun, an old neighborhood bully and nemesis of Luo Hong-Xun. Times has been very kind to Huang Lun, although he has a scar and the bad memories of his run in with Luo Hong-Xun to keep him company, he can hold his head up because since being forced out of their old neighborhood, prostitution and gambling has been very, very good to Huang Lun and poor Luo Hong-Xun is about to find out just how good. 

CAST REPORT

the good: Lisa Chiao Chiao as Hua Bi Lian (she has never looked so good! this was an EXCELLENT role for her!). Chan Leung as Luo Hong-Xin. Chen Miu as Hua Chen-Fang. Lai Cheuk-Cheuk as Madame Hua. Wang Hsieh as Hero Pao Tzu-An. Helen Ma Hoi-Lun as Pao Chin-Hua. 

the bad: Fan Mei-Sheng as Wan San-Chu. Kao Ming as Huang Lun. Hung Lau as Pai Hua-She.

HONORABLE MENTION: Cheng Lui, Tung Li, and Chen Sing play minor roles. 

FIGHT TIME: I counted nine (9) excellent fight scenes in HEADS FOR SALE (1970). Historically, I see "they" have achieved the lateral movement of the "light skill" in wuxia. It looks fantastic! I am very excited to see the future of this technique. Why do I say "they"? Because HEADS FOR SALE (1970) has no action director credited! This is remarkable because the action throughout the movie is so praiseworthy I can't imagine who would not want to take credit for it? I do have a suspect but I dare not say who it is --but the fights are worth the price of admission AND the story is very entertaining, no disappointments here. 

HEADS FOR SALE (1970) is a definite recommend for collectors because of the standard for the seventies wuxia fights is established here, in my opinion. Every movie produced after this one has to be at least as good as HEADS FOR SALE or I got problems with it, period. In addition, it is a fun and entertaining wuxia afternoon for all fans so buy or borrow it at all costs! See you next time!

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NEXT UP:  VENGEANCE! (1970)

THE JADE RAKSHA (1968)

THE JADE RAKSHA (1968)

HO MENG-HUA co-writes (with YIP YAT-FONG) and directs THE JADE RAKSHA (1968),  a unique wuxia tale that asks the question: "When is revenge, justice and when is it not?" Produced by RUNME SHAW this film has plenty of action but no action director is credited. Let's look at the plot.

The wail of The Jade Raksha is a song of the hell spawn demon-woman  promising the wicked that they will not go unpunished for their crimes against heaven. If you are evil, you know this song spells your doom.

Leng Qiu Han is The Jade Raksha. When she was a child, one of the 20 Yan Clan masters killed her whole family -- but her problem is, she does not know which one. Her solution is simple: kill them all. 

For 6 months Xu Ying Hao has been traveling the Jiang Hu searching for one Shi Yong San, the man his mother told him murdered his father twenty years ago. Along his travels he hears about The Jade Raksha who has been killing the heads of the Yan Clan and hanging their heads up in the various village squares where the individual Yans lived. Xu Ying Hao feels this is too cruel and extreme for it to be justice. The Jade Raksha should restrict her killing to the individual responsible for a specific wrong doing. And so, even though the matter has nothing to do with him, Xu Ying Hao feels he must get involved and confront The Jade Raksha. This is their story.

The lovely Cheng Pei-Pei is back as Leng Qiu Han aka The Jade Raksha and Shaw Brother's top leading man Tang Ching is Xu Ying Hao her counterpart in this philosophical tale of at "what price revenge?" The bad guys are represented by veteran actor  Yeung Chi-Hing as Master Yan Tian Long and Fan Mei-sheng plays his son Yan Long Er.

HONORABLE MENTION: The very talented Ku Feng plays Jiang Man Leung and Shi Yong San.

FIGHT TIME: THE JADE RAKSHA (1968) has no credited action director but its fights are easy to follow, although a little wild. They are very much par for 1968 and so are pretty cool to watch. I counted four (4) full fight scenes plus some small skirmishes so there is no shortage of action. 

HONORABLE MENTION: Sammo Hung Kam-Bo and James Tien have roles as stuntmen in this movie. I actually found James Tien by accident (!) while looking for Sammo as James Tien is not credited but I think you will agree after seeing the screen shot it is definitely him. 

THE JADE RAKSHA (1968) is a unique wuxia tale because it is not a story about a revenge but is a story about revenge told through the eyes of two people, both seeking revenge and showing how it affects their lives, their loved ones and the lives of the people they seek to take revenge on . I have deliberately told very little of the story (except for the details of Leng Qiu Han which I looked for it but it just wasn't there) because it is a well crafted story that builds on its parts and it is worth your time to see it for yourself.  

  

I absolutely recommend THE JADE RAKSHA (1968) for all viewers and collectors of all ages! 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 FASTEST SWORD (1968)