THE GOLDEN SEAL (1971) #66

THE GOLDEN SEAL (1971)

Released June 23^rd, THE GOLDEN SEAL (1971) is directed by veteran actor Tien Feng, his first solo direction project. Working with Wong Yi-Wa (who?) writing the script and Leung Siu-Chung [THE LADY HERMIT (1971)] directing the action, Mr Feng gives us a typical tale of revenge with twists that seem awfully familiar but don’t quite mesh together in this story. Senior Shaw brother Runme Shaw gives Mr. Feng this opportunity as the producer, but I am not quite sure what the back story is. It is of record that Mr. Feng does some back and forth work between independent movie companies and Shaw Brothers in 1971 and 1972 before settling in with the rival company in 1973. All right, let’s get busy!

Ku Feng as Lei Zhentian

Ku Feng as Lei Zhentian   and   Cliff Lok as Xiao Bai Lung

Lei Zhentian is a power hungry bully who is determined to rule the Jiang Hu by force. His gang of thugs have become the Sun and Moon Clan and one by one they have challenged the other local clans until they have become rather powerful in their own right. Along the way they have done many misdeeds and have crushed any who have stood before them while having no regard for righteousness whatsoever. Therefore it stands to reason Lei Zhentian has many enemies and it is his fate that they band together one day, to end him for once and for all.  

Chung Wah as Dai Tianchou of the Green Dragon Clan

Wang Ping as Wu Dapeng of the Sun and Moon Clan

CAST REPORT:

the good: Chung Wah as Dai Tianchou. Wang Ping as Wu Dapeng / Xiao Yan. Yue Fung as Feng Jing Yi. Pai Lu as Ms. Shi.

the bad: Ku Feng as Lei Zhentian. Chan Shen as Wu Tianting. Cliff Lok as Xiao Bai Lung. 

HONORABLE MENTION: Pai Lu as the exotic cave-dwelling orphan keeps you interested in this movie that is less than totally original.  Tien Feng has a cameo as the Green Dragon Clan grand master in this movie he directed. 

Yue Fung as Feng Jing Yi

Pai Lu as Ms Shi

 FIGHT TIME: THE GOLDEN SEAL (1971) has Leung Siu-Chung as its action director and once again his choreography is crisp and easy to follow, however there is none of the creative under-cranking I loved so much in THE LADY HERMIT (1971). The under-cranking used for this picture is either rushed or lazy and is sometimes unintentionally comical. Mr. Leung also seems to not have as much confidence in the women fighters as they are often stunt doubled to a fault and in an obvious way no less. I counted seven (7) fight scenes in this movie, which is a bit less than Mr. Leung delivered in his past efforts. Over-all the fighting here is a middle of the road effort or a “5” on a scale of “1 to 10”.

HONORABLE MENTION: The three way women fight in the cave could have been longer and with less stunt doubles would have rocked the house!

Three-way girl fight!

RECOMMENDATION

While there are some faults with THE GOLDEN SEAL (1971) it was still an entertaining film that I can confidently recommend for entertainment. The direction by Tien Feng is too much of a patchwork to be of merit to this great actor and his career shows that directing was not his passion. If you can see it without buying it then that would be ideal in my opinion. It is collectible only if you need to have all of the wuxia films produced by Shaw Brothers. See you next time!

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NEXT UP: THE REBOOT OF THE PROJECT

THE LADY HERMIT (1971) #59

THE LADY HERMIT (1971)

The elder Shaw Brother, Runme Shaw produces another hit with THE LADY HERMIT (1971) released January 22nd, directed by Ho Meng Hua, written by Yip Yat-Fong (The Jade Raksha and Heads For Sale), with action directed by Leung Siu-Chung. An action filled revenge tale introducing a brand new female action star: Shih Szu!. Let's get busy!

Cui Ping has traveled all the way to Dugan Town with a letter of recommendation for Chief Wang Cheng En of Da An Security Service from her father. Cui Ping is determined to learn martial arts at the foot of a real martial arts master, in particular, the one known as "The Lady Hermit". She heard rumors of The Lady Hermit being sighted in and around Baijiang Town near a Chung Kuei Temple and is determined to go there to ask The Lady Hermit to be her master. Cui Ping has already learned "all the basics" and literally cracks a mean whip. She is confident The Lady Hermit will accept her as a student.

What Cui Ping does not know is that Chung Kuei Temple is a trap for The Lady Hermit set up by her nemesis, Black Demon. When Black Demon and The Lady Hermit last fought three years ago she was severely injured during the battle and has been hiding out recovering from her wounds and developing a counter for the Black Demon's deadly technique "shadow-less claw". If Cui Ping is not careful, instead of just becoming the disciple of The Lady Hermit she may also become the cause of her death! Game on!

Yes, that is SAMMO HUNG third person from the left

CAST REPORT

the good: Introducing Shih Szu in her first movie as Cui Ping. Cheng Pei-Pei as Leng Yushuang / The Lady Hermit. Lo Lieh as Chang Chun. Fang Mien as Chief Wang Cheng En.

the bad: Wang Hsieh as Black Demon.

HONORABLE MENTION: Black Demon disciples -- Sammo Hung, Chiu Hung, Chuen Yuen, Tong Tin-Hei, Lee Siu-Chung, Law Hon, Woo Ka-Kei, Siu Wa, Cliff Lok, Yeung Chak-Lam, Suen Lam, Ng Ming-Choi, Bruce Leung Siu-Lung, and Bruce Tong Yim-Chaam.

FIGHT TIME: THE LADY HERMIT (1971) has Leung Siu-Chung (Lady of Steel) as its action director and just as he did in his last work, his choreography is still crisp and easy to follow while he ups the ante with more fights: I counted ten (10) fight scenes including the finale while Lady of Steel had eight (8) and a creative under-cranking that spiced up the fight in spots. I would love to see more of this style because it adds some suspense to the fight. Action-packed and creative fight scenes, need I say more?

RECOMMENDATION

THE LADY HERMIT (1971) features the return of Cheng Pei-Pei and Lo Lieh together in a love triangle but unlike GOLDEN SWALLOW, this movie's third wheel is a woman, the newcomer Shih Szu. There is a saying: "Hindsight is 20/20". and looking at the future of Cheng Pei-Pei this movie could have been her swan song and would have been perfectly fitting as such. The truth is, she did make two more movies for Shaw Brothers one more wuxia and one comedy (released in 1972) before leaving for the rival studio Golden Harvest. The drama of the love triangle added texture and interest to THE LADY HERMIT (1971) and the action was top notch making my recommendation for this movie a must-see and collectible for all audiences. Cheng Pei-Pei's star presence is undeniable but this is definitely Shih Szu's movie and they don't debut better than this! See you next time!

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NEXT UP: THE NEW ONE-ARMED SWORDSMAN (1971)

LADY OF STEEL (1970)

LADY OF STEEL (1970)

LADY OF STEEL (1970) is a straight wuxia revenge tale released February 27th that uses the Southern Song Dynasty as its backdrop. It was produced by Runme Shaw, directed by Ho Meng-Hua with the script by Liang Jen and action direction by Leung Siu-Chung. Let's get busy!

Security Chief Fang Ning and assistant Chiu Hung are escorting one million taels of silver for refugees along the yellow river, when they stop to rest at an inn off the main road. The inn turns out to be owned by former security chief Han Shi Xiong and his assistant Wei Tong Ming, but Han Shi Xiong uses it to rob and murder escorts that know of the old route that is rarely used. Unfortunately, Chief Fang Ning has also brought along his wife and child and, in this slaughter of everyone, only his child, a daughter named Fang Ying Qi, escapes with her life. 

Priest Xuan Zhen found Fang Ying Qi just as she escaped, raised her and taught her kung fu for the past twenty years. Priest Xuan Zhen taught her it was Han Shi Xiong who was responsible for killing her family and although she is ready to take revenge, the Jin invasion of north China and the restoration of the Song Dynasty should be a priority for the heroes of the Jiang Hu and she must wait. Priest Xuan Zhen gives Fang Ying Qi a letter of recommendation to bring to Lord Xia Zi Long, the chief of the Flying Dragon Clan whose fortress is in the Da Kun Moutains, so she may join the effort to fight the foreign invaders.

Fang Ying Qi stops at an Inn along the way to Flying Dragon Fortress that, as fate would have it, is a way station for her life long enemies. She also meets the leader of the Beggar Clan: Chin Shang-Yi. Blades flash and tempers fly as the two masters of martial arts go at it. The rest, is well worth watching for yourself! 

CAST REPORT

the good: Cheng Pei-Pei as Fang Ying Qi. Yueh Hua as Qin Shang Yi. Ku Wen-Chung as Priest Xuan Zhen. Fang Mian as Lord Xia Zi Long.

the bad: Huang Chung-Hsin as Han Shi Xiong. Lee Wan-Chung as Wei Tong Ming. Lee Pang-Fei as Wu Chang Sheng.

HONORABLE MENTION: Yuen Lo (Jacky Chan), Meng Yun Man and Han Guo Cai all do stunt / extra work early in their career in this movie.  

FIGHT TIME: LADY OF STEEL (1970) is a straight forward revenge tale albeit well written with action choreographed by Leung Siu-Chung. I counted eight (8) fight scenes that were clean with easy to follow, realistic techniques. At a little over 80 minutes there is no room for boredom, nothing new here -- no doubt, but no boredom at all.

LADY OF STEEL (1970) while offering nothing new is still a solid outing by Cheng Pei-Pei and Yueh Hua who have previously worked together in the 1960's on some of Shaw Brothers great wuxia movies. I am recommending this movie for casual viewers for the entertainment value and for collectors for the appearances of future stars early in their careers. 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: BROTHERS FIVE (1970)