Reviews (79)

Great action killed by terrible plot
Let me start by saying that this film has some of the best fight scenes of the many DVDs that are out there. And better yet, there are many of them. The martial arts stars in the movie (Jet Li, Michelle Yeoh, Chin Siu-hou) use a variety of styles and moves through out the movie which are amazing to watch. All of these stars are clearly skilled athletes.

Unfortunately, the almost non existent plot and complete lack of effective character development make the scenes in between fights tedious. In addition this detracts from the fight sequences. Since you never get a chance to empathize and connect with the characters, the action is technical and unemotional.

The picture quality is ok but the sound quality is terrible. Most of the sound appears to have been lost in the dubbing. It would have been great if they had used Michelle Yeoh's and Jet Li's actually voices for the dub over. But instead, the translation is flat and lifeless.

The fight scenes rate a 5 and the rest of movie rates a one.

A Masterpiece of Martial Action Filmmaking
Spectacular, heaven & earth-shattering martial arts flick, starring Jet Li and the elegant Michelle Yeoh. This movie should satisfy fans of both.

Director Woo-ping Yuen loves to build structures for his actors to clamber around on, giving his films a multi-dimensional quality. This one is no exception, from the looping sword fight on the wooden pyre to the final conflict on the rope platform. The wooden pyre scene is especially frantic where the combatants move freely above, within, and below the structure, which itself shakes and morphs before your eyes. For the viewer, the overall effect is not simply looking at a stage prop, but feeling the textures and elemental qualities of the pyre. No wonder the Wachowski brothers hired Woo-ping to choreograph their action scenes in "The Matrix".

My favorite line (a taunt to Jet Li): "Are you here to dance, or did you come to fight!?"...right before Jet Li delivers the holy hurt on him.

Just my gripes: the DVD format is treated like a cheapo knock-off from a video chop-shop. The viewer is forced to watch two movie promos before getting to the film, during which no FF or menu selection is allowed! I'm fine with the promos, but why force-feed the customer? Also, no option is provided for the original Chinese w/English subtitles and music score. (The dubbing is bearable though).

All in all, highly recommended for all fans of the genre. I'll give 5 stars if this DVD is ever given the proper treatment it deserves.

good movie
this movie is very good but like most of Jet Li's flicks the plot and continuity are strange. Worth owning if you are a die hard martial arts fan but, if you are selective, you might want to pass on it. And, Michelle's performance is nothing compared to what she did in Crouching Tiger.

Could have been better
Jet didn't seem motivated in this one. Michelle Yeoh seemed akward in her role, and Fannie Yuen didn't fit in. I'd have to say that this is one of Jet's sillier roles, even though some of the scenes were really good.

--------------------------TAI CHI MASTER--------------------
=========ONE OF JET LI'S BEST, JUST LIKE FIST OF LEGEND========= THE FIGHTING, STORY, CHARACTERS, AND THE ACTING ARE VERY WELL DONE. THE FIGHT CHOREOGRAPHY IS FLAWLESS MAN WHAT ELSE CAN I SAY. THE STORY IS ABOUT TWO KIDS WHO GREW UP TOGETHER AND WERE LIKE BROTHERS. WHEN THEY GOT OLDER THEY BECAME ENEMIES.

WATCH IT!!!!!!!!!!!
WATCH IT!!!!!!!!!!!
WATCH IT!!!!!!!!!!!
WATCH IT!!!!!!!!!!!
WATCH IT!!!!!!!!!!! ... Read more

Reviews (3)

You'll love it or hate it!
For anyone reading this who hasn't seen this movie or the two films preceeding it, The East Is Read is the final installation of Tsui Harks Swordsman series. In the first film (Swordsman), a text called the Sacred Volume/Scroll is stollen from the library of the Forbidden City. This text evidently gives ultimate/devine martial arts powers to whoever masters it's contents and Swordsman is essentially about several factions competing to recapture the scroll. In the second film, Swordsman II (in which the original cast is completely replaced with among others, Jet Li) the scroll comes into the possesion of Asia the Invincible (Bridgette Lin) an usurper who took over the Sun Moon Sect, one of the factions fighting for possesion of the scroll in the first film. In order to master the secrets described in the scroll, he has to castrate himself (or at least, mastering the scroll turns him into a woman i.e, Bridgette Lin) and the movie ends with a fight between him/her against Jet Li and his allies, the former leadership in the Sun Moon Sect whom Asia displaced when she took power. Swordsman II was a big hit largely because of Lin and it revitalized Lin's then fading career, so the final film, East Is Red, focuses largely on Lin's character. In East is Red, Asia (Lin), thought to be dead, is discovered to be very much alive (kind of like Dick Cheney) and upon discovering that there are numerous new sects using her name to amass followers, sets out to destroy them in a fit of rage. One these sects is commanded by Snow, one of Asia's former consorts (it's good to be the Queen) played by the equisite Joey Wong. Coming between them is Yu Ruong Guong (who played the title character in Iron Monkey and in this film is proof positive that nice guys finish last) thrown in with some Japanese Ninja and some Spanish (someone else said Portugese) conquistadores/sailors. The plot is difficult to explain (possibly because it didn't seem to exist) but at any rate, this film is typical Tsui Hark in that it's filled with visual sequences that are truly unique and utterly unexpected like when one of Snows female consorts is revealed to be a male ninja and you can only wonder how he hid a carrier pigeon where he did. I personally gave the film 5 stars because there were several indiviual scenes that I especially ejoyed, it's vsiual originallity and unexpected turns, the always delicous presence of Joey Wong and Bridgette Lin, and some very good visual special effects. On the other hand, it never seems to go any place, the fight scenes are completely special effects, it's sad to see Yu Ruong Guong (sp?) play such a chump after seeing him in Iron Monkey, and, it can be campy even for Hong Kong Cinema (specifically when Lin spontaneously starts singing). Still, I liked it, but theres a good chance you might not, so proceed with caution.

East is Red - (Swordsman III) DVD Review
Every time I watch a "sequel" to a movie, the first thing I think about is: "If this movie weren't part of a series, would it still be considered good?"

For this movie, the answer is "Yes". The movie does a good job of producing a good storyline that still maintains some connection to it's previous parts, while not requiring the viewer to have seen them. There is enough development and action to give the viewer a sense of character familiarity. For viewers who are used to "Once upon a time in China" or even "The Killer" or "Hard Boiled", this movie is classified more as fantasy. While this may tune some people out, I feel that there is enough here for a open-minded watcher to enjoy a different kind of film.

Secret of Ultimate Power in a Secret Scroll
East is Red is Part III in the "Swordsman" series starring Jet Li as a young swordsman who gets caught up in a fight over a scroll that contains the "secret of ultimate power". He battles against "Invincible Asia" a man who castrates himself to fight as good at kung fu as a woman (which happens to be that secret as revealed at the end of Part I). Brigitte Lin (Bride With White Hair) is a real-life woman playing "Invincible Asia" a castrated man with ambition to rule the world in this awesome historical tale of politics in 1500s when Portuguese first explored coast of China. I love this film and recommend the whole "Swordsman" series. ... Read more

Amazon.com

A pared down, blue-collar martial arts film about a stubborn pedicab driver (Sammo Hung) who avenges the death of a friend by taking on a vicious psychotic pimp (John Sham) and his army of thugs. The movie seamlessly combines two threads of Hung's long career, his down-to-earth straight acting roles in dramatic films like Painted Faces and Eight Tales of Gold and his work as a performer, stunt arranger, and director in everything-but-the-kitchen-sink combat spectaculars like Eastern Condors and Millionaire's Express. The glorious set pieces here are staged in everyday settings in Macau in the late 1940s--a teahouse, a gambling den--and the workaday locales set off the fancy footwork perfectly. There's one big comic chase sequence, a car vs. pedicab duel that seems to be a takeoff on Jackie Chan's bicycle stunt work in Project A. But the main attractions are the set-piece fights, three superbly staged all-out brawls. In the best of them, Hung goes one on one with an unprepossessing gambling boss played by Lau Kar-wing, the fight arranger-director of a long string of kung fu classics, from Shaolin Master Killer to the Chan vehicle Drunken Master II. --David Chute ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Not just another hong kong action film
I think this is one of my all time favorite films. So much more than just kung foo action.

A clasic , yet innovative , surprisingly human , bloody film
One of a selected group of super-produced films made in hong-kong in the 90' , and i dont mean the production was expansive , i mean the result was suberbly shot , the fight scenes were super-complexly choreographed , and amazingly executed , the plot was rich and likeble , the acting was gentle and touching ( yes , in a MARTIAL-ARTS movie ) , and the over-all impression is of a qualitative work.

You have a cute appearence of Lam ching-ying , and a stunning polefight between Samo and Liu chia liang , that's probably the best polefight ever shot , up until this film. Mean while i have'nt seen a polefight to surpass that one.

Wonderfull structure , according to the janre's guide-lines , samo goes traditionally from the multiple-not-very-good-opponents to the villain's henchmen , to the lower-grade body guards , and from there to the final fight with the top body guard - Billy chow.

A masterpeice - nothing less. It is one of the few HK films i show to those who gigle , when i mention quality and martial-arts movies in one breath.

Sammo's masterpiece!
This ranks as one of Sammo's absolute best and certainly his best self-directed film. Everything in the film is top-notch; in fact the only reason this will never get the global recognition of the alleged film intelligensia is that Sammo dares put in action. That action though is some of the best to come out of Hong Kong. The performances are excellent throughout the cast and the mixture of action, comedy and tragedy has rarely been equalled. Exceptional

HOLY GOD SAMO ROCKS!
FROM BEGINNING TO END THIS MOVIE RULES! TOO BAD ABOUT MARTIAL LAW! SAMO DESERVES A BETTER JOB THAN THAT SHOW IN AMERICA. PEDICAB DRIVER IS A TRUE WORK OF ART THAT NEVER SACRIFICES HEART FOR COMMERCIAL APPEAL...MUST GIVE HIM LOADS OF RESPECT FOR THIS MOVIE.

Representative of Hong Kong cinema at its best
I've been watching Hong Kong movies for about a decade now, and to me very few films from what will probably be remembered as Hong Kong's golden age of film in the eyes of the world match this one for its seamless blend of cinematic styles-- rapid-fire action, comedy, romance, drama and tragedy. I wouldn't give five stars to just anything, and having seen this film abroad I can't vouch for the quality of this version, but this is modern Hong Kong filmmaking at its inventive best and makes most any American action film look truly anemic in comparison. It defies the maxim that "you can't make 'em like they used to" with its simple yet touching plot and, although American action films have of late borrowed heavily from the style of Hong Kong directors, is refreshing proof that millions of dollars and bankable stars who have no place as action movie stars are no substitute for a solid, quirky leading man like Samo Hung who combines charisma and true fighting skill with an appealing, solid storyline (yet another rarity in the action movie world). Even in Hong Kong, few action movies seem to have as refreshingly humanistic a message as this film, even though it is filled with jaw-dropping action sequences-- completely free of wire-work, sped-up sequences, explosions and shoot-outs. I think that films by the likes of Jackie Chan and Yuen Biao (among others) are wonderful, too, but to me this movie typifies what is great about the modern Hong Kong action film. It's unfortunate that Samo Hung stands to be remembered as the star of yet another failed American TV action series after having produced films of such quality as this work (none of that fortune cookie-wisdom-spouting Chinaman nonsense here) in his heyday-- it showcases his true martial arts skills in his prime, and they are all the more amazing considering his girth and his physical resemblance to a vaudeville comedian as opposed to the standard martial arts movie star. This is a standout work by a director/ screenwriter/actor at his best. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Not A Gordon Liu Movie
His name is on the top, and his face is there on the left and down again at the bottom, and he is in two scenes of the movie, but this is not a Gordon Liu movie. It is an Aaron Kwok movie.

The action is rediculous, sped up, and not very coordinated. The humor is poor, and mostly unfunny. The two male roles are played by very similar looking actors. One of them is introduced as being semi-powerful, but later on he doesn't use any of his power. There are subtitles over a Chinese audio track, but you can't turn them off. There are also two song number in it (I hate musicals).

This is one of very few DVDs that I wish that I hadn't bought. I own about 40 kung fu DVDs and this is in my bottom three. It is terrible, from the beginning to the end.

Wonderfully absurd
An excellent selection for a night of Chinese takeout and nonsensical kung fu. Every review on this page is absolutely correct; the film is poorly shot, the dialogue poorly translated (if at all), the action clumsy, the acting mediocre. It's so dizzyingly fragmented, it's wonderful. We could not for the life of us stop laughing. Just when we thought it couldn't get more bizarre than it had, the last scenes (I think it was supposed to be a conclusion of some sort) surpass all others in leaving the viewer completely bewildered and highly amused.

Boring, hard to follow
This movie is boring and uninteresting. There are moments of "comedy" mixed into the vague story. I couldn't make heads or tails with the story and the characters. The fights are clumsily choreographed. I don't even know what the liquid sword is. I do not recommend this film.

Legend of the Liquid Sword
It is a funny kung fu movie, that includes sing and dancing. I couldn't stop laughing throughout the movie.

Gordon Liu Only a Cameo.
Gordon Liu is in no more than 10 minutes of this film. He has just one very brief action scene and it's too quickly edited to follow. While he is always thoroughly entertaining, his talents are greatly wasted in this film. The rest of this movie is just OK, like most of director Wong Jing's movies it is one part exquisitely surreal fantasy, one part unfunny comedy. I could watch it, but not without some fast-forwarding. For director Wong Jing's best work, check out Lord of the Wutang aka Kung Fu Cult Master. ... Read more

Amazon.com

In John Woo's most ambitious film, three rumbling teenage thugs decide to flee Hong Kong for the greener pastures of war-ravaged Vietnam, circa 1967. They are entangled almost immediately in the bottomless horrific amorality of the war zone, which harshly tests their quasi-medieval bonds of "brotherhood." Whatever force this notion has comes mostly from the three leading players, who are allterrific: Tony Leung as the idealistic point-of-view character, Waise Lee as the greedy turncoat, and Jacky Cheung as the sap whose massive head wound turns him into a vegetable. Everyone in sight is revoltingly corrupt--only the Americans are portrayed as relatively nonvicious hapless victims--and Woo admits thathe simply wasn't much interested in the Caucasian characters; the movie is about Asians fighting each other. The film was cut down to 2-1/2 hours from an initial "director's cut" almost three hours long, and it was mostly motivating dramatic material that was jettisoned. Finally, Bullet may simply be too intense for its own good. From the opening moments, people are screaming and brutalizing each other, and the ferocity rarely ebbs. The final hour is nonstop mayhem, and it numbs you out.. --David Chute ... Read more

Reviews (33)

It's Intense and excessive, but its John Woos best!
This rivals the killer as the best John Woo film. People say this one isn't his best but I disagree.
It's also one of the most violent Hk films I've ever seen, the shootouts are intense and well done, like the nightclub scene, it was very well done with the best part is when Paul guns down about 20 guys with a machine gun in a stairwell.
The acting is pretty good, the best performance goes to Tony Leung of course but Paul (Waise Lee) and Luke (Simon Yam) have some strong stellar scenes, and the so-so award goes to Jacky Chueng who in the POW camp scene makes you want to almost laugh at his suffering. However this version is cut about 18 minutes from what I've heard, and most of the subtitles are wrong and the audio is choppy. The extra 18 mins would probably explain some of the confusing scenes and scenarios (where did they learn how to shoot machine guns and shotguns with one hand?). Too bad this isn't A better tomorrow 3 because Chow Yun Fat would have been EXCELLANT in Luke's Character.
The story goes like this Three lifelong friends find themselves in trouble in 1967 British ruled Hong Kong when. On his wedding night Ben (Tony Leung) and Frank (Jacky Cheung) kill a gang leader in a fight. So they (Including Paul for some reason) get the idea to go to war torn Vietnam to sell illegal goods, but their luck turns sour when there stuff is blown up in a bombing. After that they meet Luke (Simon Yam) who puts their friendship in a downward spiral from there on in. Paul gets greedy when he takes a casket of gold leaves and turns him into a cynical, "stay-away-from-my-gold or Ill kill you" person while the friendships fall to pieces.
The action scenes while heartfelt (In a disturbing way) and gut wrenching are pretty senseless and over-the-top. The POW camp scene is absolutely disturbing almost to the point where I turned it off. To tell you the truth I'd rather see what's in this POW scene then what's in the uncut full POW scene (Yes its THAT disturbing). This film is NOT a heroic bloodshed film there is no heroes in this only people whose lives we must watch fall to pieces. You'll have to be pretty used to disturbing violence to see this so be very prepared. Very very well done and One of my Highest Recommendations ever!
P.S DO NOT let anyone under 12 see this

John Woo's finest to date?
Produced in the wake of the Tiananmen Square massacre in 1989, John Woo's BULLET IN THE HEAD is both a response to the appalling violence that was taking place in mainland China at the time, and a pointed examination of the director's traditional themes of loyalty and brotherhood and the consequences of betrayal. For all its explosions and gunplay, the film is actually a very human drama, played out against the vast backdrop of the Vietnam conflict, and invested with such a palpable sense of love and compassion for its leading characters and their circumstances that it defies all attempts at categorisation. The cast is pure gold: Tony Leung (superb as the film's tragic 'hero'), Jacky Cheung (giving a revelatory, career-making performance) and Waise Lee play lifelong friends who flee from a murder rap during the civil unrest of 1960s Hong Kong, only to have their loyalties tested to breaking point by their experiences in wartime Saigon. Overall, the film is less an action-thriller than an operatic valentine to Woo's teenage years in HK and to the personal values which have shaped and defined all his films since A BETTER TOMORROW. Only HARD-BOILED comes close to it in terms of greatness, though many people - myself included - would argue that BULLET is not only Woo's finest achievement to date, but also one of the best films ever made, anywhere. In terms of content, the widescreen HK DVD version is virtually identical to Made in Hong Kong's uncut UK video release, though the familiar Golden Princess logo at the beginning of the film has been replaced by Media Asia's insignia. As expected, the increased resolution of the DVD format has yielded a visibly superior image, but the disc's muted color scheme is a disappointment, and the optional English subtitles - though reasonably coherent - are no match for MIHK'S definitive translation. BULLET's effectiveness depends on your complete comprehension of the dialogue, and Media Asia's clumsy subtitles often stumble over the dramatic highlights, thereby diluting their quite considerable impact. Sadly, Media Asia has also remixed BULLET's original mono soundtrack in 5.1 Dolby Digital surround, apparently for no other reason than the fact that DVD technology allows it. Aside from the newly-directional gunshot effects and the magnificent music score (which, amongst other things, transforms Jacky Cheung's poignant farewell sequence into an occasion of shattering heartbreak), the remix adds nothing that wasn't already conveyed in the original version. Bottom line: A fine film, and the DVD is certainly worth a look, but first-time viewers are advised to check out MIHK's UK video version before taking the plunge. Believe me, you WON'T be disappointed...

Best Film ive ever seen. MUST SEE. Trust Me
IF YOU LIKE GOODFELLAS, CON AIR, SCARFACE, FACE OFF, GODFATHER, DESPERADO, KILL BILL etc. You have to see this, im telling you.
I thought the best film ive seen were one of the above. But no. its defenitly Bullet in the Head.
IT HAS A BRILLIANT STORYLINE. The ACTING WAS MAGNIFICENT. Tony Leung (Hard Boiled/Prison on Fire)is Excelent alongside (Waise Lee (A better tomorrow) and Simon Yam (Full Contact) But The Outstanding Serious Performance which will get to you is Jackie Cheung (as tears go by/Jet Lis Meltdown). Its John Woos personal Favourite. Everybody i Lent it to absoulutely LOVE it. its a Hong Kong Classic which doesnt come on TV. If its available to in your local shops or ebay.co.uk I advice you to Buy It. you wont be dissapointed. If you are then You have BAD TASTE in Movies. No offence.PEACE

Exhausted
In "The Killer", perhaps the best pulp/asian thriller of all time, the violence felt full, voluptuous; its excess created a kind of operatic grandeur. In "Bullet in the Head" the violence is so over -the-top, so gratuitous, you want to run for cover (I might have blown up my tv if I had to watch another gangster do a cartwheel as a big explosion lifted him of his feet). This movie proves to me how repetitive a director Woo is, and I got a similar feeling from Face/Off - its like watching a figure skater do figure 8's all night - you want to shout "ok, I get it!"

Loud, irritating and chaotic. Jacky Cheung's shameless overacting and bulgy, beady eyes were as irksome as the excessive violence - give this one a miss - its a wet blanket of sentimentality and schlock.

One of the best
This is not only one of the best HK action films ever but quite possibly one of the best films ever. Period. ... Read more

Amazon.com

This 1989 revival entry in the popular action-comedy series is solid and sure-footed thanks to director Lar Kar Leung (a.k.a. Liu Chia Liang), who was a major kung fu auteur for Shaw Brothers in the 1970s (Legendary Weapons of Kung Fu). Liu knows his way around an action sequence, and he brings in muscle-bound headbanger Conan Lee (as "the Chinese Rambo"), so there's a lot more grim clobbering and a lot less playful slapstick than in previous Aces films. The plotting is as thin as ever. The mostly round-eye "White Glove Group" of bad guys faces off against series mainstays Sam Hui and Karl Mak, with youth market idols Leslie Cheung and Nina Li Chi to enhance the demographic. TheMacGuffins are a magical sword and a brace of stolen terra cottawarriors smuggled in from the Mainland. It's fun watching the bountifully upholstered Li Chi working out on a Nautilus machine (feel the burn), andan engagingly bizarre sequence has our hapless heroes tossed into a dungeon in the PRC, where jaunty political prisoner Danny Lee (the upright cop in John Woo's The Killer) shows them the ropes. --David Chute ... Read more

Reviews (2)

The Raid
Set in Manchuria in the early 1930's, a small army is controlled by an emperor in exile, forced to this far corner of China by invading Imperial Japan. Dr. Cho is a skilled medicine man who discovers a plot to manufacture poison gas, and is forced to help a group of rebels try and destroy the factory where it is produced.

The movie is a comedy, with frequent action sequences involving furious gun battles and explosions. It is fun and exciting, even if it does almost resemble the Three Stooges at times.

Japan vs. China in WWII Comic Adventure
THE RAID (1991) is a fast-paced Hong Kong blend of comedy, martial arts, WWII-era action and high-flying stunts that is never boring but never exhilarating either. The plot involves a band of Chinese nationalists and an ever-expanding crew of petty crooks, aspiring martial artists and a legendary doctor, all at war with a Japanese officer and a female Japanese spy masquerading as a Chinese glamour girl. The latter are aligned with puppet ruler Pu Yi (the famed Last Emperor, who was actually re-installed by the Japanese to run the Manchu-kuo government during the war).

Given the touchy subject matter, emotions are surprisingly low throughout as the filmmakers stress slapstick over tension, even in the midst of bloody shootouts. Despite the large, capable cast, no one character is allowed to dominate the action, so the audience never gets a handle on whose story this is. No martial arts stars are on hand either, so the fight scenes are never very exciting, depending more on outlandish stunts and quick cuts than any real confrontations. The cast includes Dean Shek, Chu Kong, Tony Leung Ka Fai, Joyce Godenzi, Jacky Cheung and, in a key supporting role as gang boss Big Nose, HK action director Yuen Kwei (Corey Yuen).

Given the participation of producer-director Tsui Hark and co-director Ching Siu-Tung, the final result is quite a disappointment. This is the team, after all, that gave us CHINESE GHOST STORY I to III, SWORDSMAN II, and THE EAST IS RED: SWORDSMAN III, all examples of Hong Kong fantasy action at its best. The imaginative staging and exuberant action that distinguished those films are noticeably absent from THE RAID. ... Read more

Reviews (11)

Speed-vision
There are two big no-no's for me when it comes to martial arts movies. 1) Sped-up fight scenes, 2) wire-fu. This movie has both. Donnie Yen movies seem to always have fast-forward fight scenes, which cheapens the experience. The plot of this movie is very similar to The Prodigal Son (which is a better film in my opinion). I just can't get past the gravity defying movies. I prefer on-the-ground martial arts fighting. So, I give this movie three stars for Donnie's acting and dock two stars for the fight scenes and wire work. If you buy the Columbia/Sony Pictures version be aware there's no original language, only English dub. The woman that does the dub for the aunt in this film has such a grating voice you want to fast forward through it. And what's with the fake buck teeth?

Great Movie!!!!!!
I am always hesitant purchasing movies online not always sure if it is worth the time and money, but Heroes Among Heroes was worth the hassle. Donnie Yen is masterful in this movie and the guy who plays Wong Fei Hung is better than i had expected. This movie did not lack any quality fight scenes as there were plenty and very well done. It is the same genre as the Once Upon a Time in China and Fong Sai Yuk series. Little note: Check out OUATIC part 5 it is worth it. Donnie Yen should be in the same status as Jet Li because he fights just as well and he is quick and powerful. Hopefully, with Iron Monkey being released in the US, his Hong Kong movies will be released to the North American market, just like Jet Li's movies were after he did Romeo must Die. Donnie does have a role in the upcoming Blade II with Wesley Snipes. Anyways, is you are a fan of great kung fu fighting and the OUATIC type, then get this movie, it rocks.

Trainspotting meets Dragon Inn?????
This movie was definitely missing something, and no I'm not talking about the baby crawling across the ceiling.

I think an earlier reviewer hit the nail on the head:

"Wong FE Hong(should have been played by Jet Li)"

It was missing that one extra star. The guy playing Wong FE Hong just wasn't that good. It was obvious in the medical scenes that he just wasn't as good an actor as Jet Li.

Also, that whole addicted to opium, fighting off the addiction, etc, etc was painful to watch, what horrible acting/directing. The relationship between the Dad and Sister In-law was fantastic though. That acting/directing relationship was done really well.

The last fighting sequence made the whole movie worth watching. There is a little bit splashed here and there to keep you interested, the story is average at best, but the last fighting scenes are great.

This movie is average as a whole, worth renting not buying, but definetly worth seeing. Anyone giving this movie 5 stars bought the movie b4 seeing it, so they're bias. But watch this movie for sure, then make your decision.

4 stars based on movie not the DVD
I like Donnie Yen is always putting in alot of effert in either Directing or Acting or fight Chor.,This film really did have a couple of problems much being little short scenes maybe 10 or so seconds that made no scence.Other than that the only other complaint is the fight scenes in the first half of the movie are nothing compared to some really awsome fight scenes in the second half of the film!Here are the Pros and cons
PROS
1.Donnie Yen's on screen presents
2.In the film his character fights and becomes buddies with the ever so popular Wong FE Hong(should have been played by Jet Li)
3.The fight scenes in the second half of the movie are awsome especially the last one with tons of on screen fighters.

CONS- theres really not many
1.The english dubbing is not so good, give me the original language or nothing i hate dudding especially in this one!
2.fight scenes early arnt great but they get much better

Last note buy this if either you are a Donnie Yen or Yeun woo ping fan,or you just collect decent martial art films.Rent if your a casual movie goer.

FIST OF THE RED DRAGON
EXPERT FIGHTERS MUST JOIN FORCES WHEN SOUTHERN CHINA'S HIGH OFFICERS BEGIN SMUGGLING OPIUM OVER THE BORDER. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME I EVER LOOKED AT A DONNIE YEN MOVIE AND I WAS VERY PLEASED WITH HIS AMAZING FIGHT SKILLS. THIS MOVIE HAS SOME OF THE BEST FIGHT SCENES I'VE SEEN IN A WHILE. MARTIAL ARTS FANS SHOULD CHECK THIS ONE OUT. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Strong performances, story & action
White Lotus Cult is the first of three films to feature the character of 'Iron Bridge' Sam, a folk-hero figure similar to the character played by Jet Li in the Fong Sai Yuk series. Here Sam gets trained in martial arts, finds time for a little romance and does battle with the 'Cult' of the title.
All the lead actors give strong, well-rounded performances making you care about their charcters. The story has depth without being overly complex and the action is a nice mix of wire-work and traditional kung-fu stylings. Overall, a film that wouldn't be out of place next to the OUATIC series on your shelf. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Not A Gordon Liu Movie
His name is on the top, and his face is there on the left and down again at the bottom, and he is in two scenes of the movie, but this is not a Gordon Liu movie. It is an Aaron Kwok movie.

The action is rediculous, sped up, and not very coordinated. The humor is poor, and mostly unfunny. The two male roles are played by very similar looking actors. One of them is introduced as being semi-powerful, but later on he doesn't use any of his power. There are subtitles over a Chinese audio track, but you can't turn them off. There are also two song number in it (I hate musicals).

This is one of very few DVDs that I wish that I hadn't bought. I own about 40 kung fu DVDs and this is in my bottom three. It is terrible, from the beginning to the end.

Wonderfully absurd
An excellent selection for a night of Chinese takeout and nonsensical kung fu. Every review on this page is absolutely correct; the film is poorly shot, the dialogue poorly translated (if at all), the action clumsy, the acting mediocre. It's so dizzyingly fragmented, it's wonderful. We could not for the life of us stop laughing. Just when we thought it couldn't get more bizarre than it had, the last scenes (I think it was supposed to be a conclusion of some sort) surpass all others in leaving the viewer completely bewildered and highly amused.

Boring, hard to follow
This movie is boring and uninteresting. There are moments of "comedy" mixed into the vague story. I couldn't make heads or tails with the story and the characters. The fights are clumsily choreographed. I don't even know what the liquid sword is. I do not recommend this film.

Legend of the Liquid Sword
It is a funny kung fu movie, that includes sing and dancing. I couldn't stop laughing throughout the movie.

Gordon Liu Only a Cameo.
Gordon Liu is in no more than 10 minutes of this film. He has just one very brief action scene and it's too quickly edited to follow. While he is always thoroughly entertaining, his talents are greatly wasted in this film. The rest of this movie is just OK, like most of director Wong Jing's movies it is one part exquisitely surreal fantasy, one part unfunny comedy. I could watch it, but not without some fast-forwarding. For director Wong Jing's best work, check out Lord of the Wutang aka Kung Fu Cult Master. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Great !
This is a classic Stephen Chow movie and one of the funniest. No doubt he is the king of comedy. He is great in the role of the hapless but cool guy (just watch the castration scene...). He is really skillful and has a vast range of expressions (well, I think you can compare him to Jim Carrey... in some ways but not in total). Though the movie has lots of sexual spoof, I think is not insulting; I read that Cantonese comicality is difficult to understand to foreign... well, I don't find it so different from the Italian one!

Some unavoidable presences in the movie: Ng Man Tat (Hoi Tai Fu) that is (I think) in 90% of SC's movies (and this is good, they are GREAT together) - Chingmy Yau (Princess Kim Ning) - Sandra Ng Kwan Yue (Sister Bond) - Man Cheung (Empress Dowanger/Lone-er).

And remember: always watch a SC's movie in the ORIGINAL language or you'll miss the best...

A parody that is a lot better than most Hong Kong films
Visually stunning parody of Hong Kong swordplay epics. Stephen Chow is a smart aleck, fast-thinking lowlife named Wilson Bond (really) who gets caught up in an incredibly tangled court intrigue. Bond starts out working for Chan (Damian Lau), Master of the Heaven & Earth Society and then he ends up on the side of Chan's target, Prince Ning (Siu-Lun Wan). Basically, in the great tradition of "Yojimbo" and "A Fistful of Dollars," Bond swears loyalty to whoever is threatening him at the moment and ends up playing everyone against everyone else while trying to figure out how to save his neck. This parody is more fun than a lot of the "serious" movies it is taking on. The DVD is letterboxed, which is great, but the English subtitles to the Mandarian language washes out from time to time. Then again, the dialogue in this 1991 film directed by Wong Jing is not exactly the strong set of "Royal Tramp." The fun continues in "Royal Tramp II" so be sure you watch both parts or you will be missing half the fun.

Stephen Chow's Best - don't forget the sequel, or the book!
This was one of the first DVDs I bought for my collection after getting a DVD player. The plot is engaging and extermely well-written, and the brilliant physical comic performances of Stephen Chow and Ng Man Tat work wonderfully even for someone like myself who needs the subtitles to follow the story.

Be aware, though, that "Royal Tramp" and "Royal Tramp 2" are a single story split into two parts, rather than just a movie and its sequel. Be sure to get both.

Also, this movie is based in the only story by Louis Cha that is currently available in translation. The title of the book is usually translated as "The Duke of Deer Mountain", but the English translation (in 3 volumes) is called "The Deer and the Cauldron", Volumes 1 (ASIN 0195903234) and 2 (ASIN 0195903250) have just recently been reprinted, and Volume 3 (ASIN 0195903277) is due out in September 2001.

Great fun!
An extremely funny rendition of the Duke of Mount Deer story. Stephen Chow is just hilarious! I got this DVD because it's classic.

Royal fun
This movie was loose based upon the 80'HK tv series starring Andy Lau and Tony Leung. This is probably Chow Sing Chi best movie. I've seen some of his film's including the sequel. But this one is better. Royal Tramp is about Wai Siew Po, a nobody who tell stories in a whorehouse where his sister works. He becomes a member of the royal staff and is appointed to Hoi Kong Kong, while he still remains a rebel against the Chings. The story is redecules, but that's what we aspect from a Chow Sing Chi movie. The action is marvelous, with lots of wire works. The kung fu is absolutely fantastic. My favorite is the Fa Kwat Yu Mien Teung. Which means as much as "bone-melting-palm". ... Read more

Reviews (52)

Not what you'd think
So long as you go into this movie expecting a fantasy epic instead of a martial arts film, you'll do fine. While there are some pretty good fight scenes in this movie, it's more along the lines of the Chinese Ghost Story series than Dragon Inn or Iron Monkey. Just don't let that stop you from seeing it. This movie completely revitalized Bridgette Lin's flagging career and after watching it, you'll understand why. Lin is magnificent as the trans-gendered Asia, playing the role with a threatening and aristocratic gravity that's truly awesome and one of her best performances outside of Peking Opera Blues. Jet Li is always awesome to watch (although admittedly, he didn't get much oppurtunity to truly demonstrate his skills in this one). Still, his fluid grace and power come through as always. SII also has some truly great visual effects, and a seemingly unending stream of surprises. The weapons that are brought into play besides the usual swords and spears range from sewing needles to man-sized hooks as well as the vampire like "essence absorbing stance." Rosamund Kwan is lethal with a bull whip, attractive in a turban, and also (one of) Jet Li's romantic interests in the film, along with the delectable Michelle Reis; and whoever played Blue Phoenix was also more than a little attractive as well, despite her nasty habit of keeping snakes in her clothes and rustling up hordes of scorpions to swarm her opponents (she'd be your worst nightmare for a blind date). One of Tsui Harks and Hong Kong Cinema's best and definately one of my personal favorites.

Good MOVIE, average Martial Arts Film
I really liked this film. It was very entertaining, had a solid story (that was hard to follow at times), but still very interesting. The characters were great, each and everyone. Brigitte Linn was badly under utilized, using Magic over her martial arts skills, that was disappointing.

Actually, think back, Jet Li was the only character in the whole film that used martial arts, everyone else used magic.

Jet Li's acting was extremely fun to watch. The interaction between him and his sister was great (though she was awful jealous for a sister).

As a whole this movie is a joy to watch, the story and plot are great. But don't buy this movie thinking you are going to see a Kung Fu movie, or skilled martial arts, because you won't.

As a movie I would give Swordsman II a B+
As a martial arts film I would give Swordsman II a C-

This is the dubbed version
Dubbed and renamed. See the original Swordsman II instead.

Strange role for Jet Li
When I first saw Jet Li in this film, I wondered. After watching it though, I have to say that he played the role well, and even made the movie. Michelle Reis was excellent as his "sister," and Rosamund Kwan played the role of village chief flawlessly.

This is a classic.

Buena Vista Home Vid DVD ruined it!
Im here rating "The legend of The Swordsman" wich is actually "Buena Vista Home Vid" DVD version of a great movie called "SwordsmanII"...

First of all, A LOT of dialogues just disappeared, scenes were cut and combat sounds effects RUINED ! ! ! I guess thats what happens when u ask a spanish comapny to re-do a HK classical movie.

Anyway dont just buy the "Buena Vista Home Vid DVD" Called The Legend of the Swordsman, aka Jet Li collection... yeah good job ruinning Jet Li classics Buena Vista Home Vid .... grr ... Read more

Reviews (11)

Speed-vision
There are two big no-no's for me when it comes to martial arts movies. 1) Sped-up fight scenes, 2) wire-fu. This movie has both. Donnie Yen movies seem to always have fast-forward fight scenes, which cheapens the experience. The plot of this movie is very similar to The Prodigal Son (which is a better film in my opinion). I just can't get past the gravity defying movies. I prefer on-the-ground martial arts fighting. So, I give this movie three stars for Donnie's acting and dock two stars for the fight scenes and wire work. If you buy the Columbia/Sony Pictures version be aware there's no original language, only English dub. The woman that does the dub for the aunt in this film has such a grating voice you want to fast forward through it. And what's with the fake buck teeth?

Great Movie!!!!!!
I am always hesitant purchasing movies online not always sure if it is worth the time and money, but Heroes Among Heroes was worth the hassle. Donnie Yen is masterful in this movie and the guy who plays Wong Fei Hung is better than i had expected. This movie did not lack any quality fight scenes as there were plenty and very well done. It is the same genre as the Once Upon a Time in China and Fong Sai Yuk series. Little note: Check out OUATIC part 5 it is worth it. Donnie Yen should be in the same status as Jet Li because he fights just as well and he is quick and powerful. Hopefully, with Iron Monkey being released in the US, his Hong Kong movies will be released to the North American market, just like Jet Li's movies were after he did Romeo must Die. Donnie does have a role in the upcoming Blade II with Wesley Snipes. Anyways, is you are a fan of great kung fu fighting and the OUATIC type, then get this movie, it rocks.

Trainspotting meets Dragon Inn?????
This movie was definitely missing something, and no I'm not talking about the baby crawling across the ceiling.

I think an earlier reviewer hit the nail on the head:

"Wong FE Hong(should have been played by Jet Li)"

It was missing that one extra star. The guy playing Wong FE Hong just wasn't that good. It was obvious in the medical scenes that he just wasn't as good an actor as Jet Li.

Also, that whole addicted to opium, fighting off the addiction, etc, etc was painful to watch, what horrible acting/directing. The relationship between the Dad and Sister In-law was fantastic though. That acting/directing relationship was done really well.

The last fighting sequence made the whole movie worth watching. There is a little bit splashed here and there to keep you interested, the story is average at best, but the last fighting scenes are great.

This movie is average as a whole, worth renting not buying, but definetly worth seeing. Anyone giving this movie 5 stars bought the movie b4 seeing it, so they're bias. But watch this movie for sure, then make your decision.

4 stars based on movie not the DVD
I like Donnie Yen is always putting in alot of effert in either Directing or Acting or fight Chor.,This film really did have a couple of problems much being little short scenes maybe 10 or so seconds that made no scence.Other than that the only other complaint is the fight scenes in the first half of the movie are nothing compared to some really awsome fight scenes in the second half of the film!Here are the Pros and cons
PROS
1.Donnie Yen's on screen presents
2.In the film his character fights and becomes buddies with the ever so popular Wong FE Hong(should have been played by Jet Li)
3.The fight scenes in the second half of the movie are awsome especially the last one with tons of on screen fighters.

CONS- theres really not many
1.The english dubbing is not so good, give me the original language or nothing i hate dudding especially in this one!
2.fight scenes early arnt great but they get much better

Last note buy this if either you are a Donnie Yen or Yeun woo ping fan,or you just collect decent martial art films.Rent if your a casual movie goer.

FIST OF THE RED DRAGON
EXPERT FIGHTERS MUST JOIN FORCES WHEN SOUTHERN CHINA'S HIGH OFFICERS BEGIN SMUGGLING OPIUM OVER THE BORDER. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME I EVER LOOKED AT A DONNIE YEN MOVIE AND I WAS VERY PLEASED WITH HIS AMAZING FIGHT SKILLS. THIS MOVIE HAS SOME OF THE BEST FIGHT SCENES I'VE SEEN IN A WHILE. MARTIAL ARTS FANS SHOULD CHECK THIS ONE OUT. ... Read more

Reviews (52)

Not what you'd think
So long as you go into this movie expecting a fantasy epic instead of a martial arts film, you'll do fine. While there are some pretty good fight scenes in this movie, it's more along the lines of the Chinese Ghost Story series than Dragon Inn or Iron Monkey. Just don't let that stop you from seeing it. This movie completely revitalized Bridgette Lin's flagging career and after watching it, you'll understand why. Lin is magnificent as the trans-gendered Asia, playing the role with a threatening and aristocratic gravity that's truly awesome and one of her best performances outside of Peking Opera Blues. Jet Li is always awesome to watch (although admittedly, he didn't get much oppurtunity to truly demonstrate his skills in this one). Still, his fluid grace and power come through as always. SII also has some truly great visual effects, and a seemingly unending stream of surprises. The weapons that are brought into play besides the usual swords and spears range from sewing needles to man-sized hooks as well as the vampire like "essence absorbing stance." Rosamund Kwan is lethal with a bull whip, attractive in a turban, and also (one of) Jet Li's romantic interests in the film, along with the delectable Michelle Reis; and whoever played Blue Phoenix was also more than a little attractive as well, despite her nasty habit of keeping snakes in her clothes and rustling up hordes of scorpions to swarm her opponents (she'd be your worst nightmare for a blind date). One of Tsui Harks and Hong Kong Cinema's best and definately one of my personal favorites.

Good MOVIE, average Martial Arts Film
I really liked this film. It was very entertaining, had a solid story (that was hard to follow at times), but still very interesting. The characters were great, each and everyone. Brigitte Linn was badly under utilized, using Magic over her martial arts skills, that was disappointing.

Actually, think back, Jet Li was the only character in the whole film that used martial arts, everyone else used magic.

Jet Li's acting was extremely fun to watch. The interaction between him and his sister was great (though she was awful jealous for a sister).

As a whole this movie is a joy to watch, the story and plot are great. But don't buy this movie thinking you are going to see a Kung Fu movie, or skilled martial arts, because you won't.

As a movie I would give Swordsman II a B+
As a martial arts film I would give Swordsman II a C-

This is the dubbed version
Dubbed and renamed. See the original Swordsman II instead.

Strange role for Jet Li
When I first saw Jet Li in this film, I wondered. After watching it though, I have to say that he played the role well, and even made the movie. Michelle Reis was excellent as his "sister," and Rosamund Kwan played the role of village chief flawlessly.

This is a classic.

Buena Vista Home Vid DVD ruined it!
Im here rating "The legend of The Swordsman" wich is actually "Buena Vista Home Vid" DVD version of a great movie called "SwordsmanII"...

First of all, A LOT of dialogues just disappeared, scenes were cut and combat sounds effects RUINED ! ! ! I guess thats what happens when u ask a spanish comapny to re-do a HK classical movie.

Anyway dont just buy the "Buena Vista Home Vid DVD" Called The Legend of the Swordsman, aka Jet Li collection... yeah good job ruinning Jet Li classics Buena Vista Home Vid .... grr ... Read more

Reviews (52)

Not what you'd think
So long as you go into this movie expecting a fantasy epic instead of a martial arts film, you'll do fine. While there are some pretty good fight scenes in this movie, it's more along the lines of the Chinese Ghost Story series than Dragon Inn or Iron Monkey. Just don't let that stop you from seeing it. This movie completely revitalized Bridgette Lin's flagging career and after watching it, you'll understand why. Lin is magnificent as the trans-gendered Asia, playing the role with a threatening and aristocratic gravity that's truly awesome and one of her best performances outside of Peking Opera Blues. Jet Li is always awesome to watch (although admittedly, he didn't get much oppurtunity to truly demonstrate his skills in this one). Still, his fluid grace and power come through as always. SII also has some truly great visual effects, and a seemingly unending stream of surprises. The weapons that are brought into play besides the usual swords and spears range from sewing needles to man-sized hooks as well as the vampire like "essence absorbing stance." Rosamund Kwan is lethal with a bull whip, attractive in a turban, and also (one of) Jet Li's romantic interests in the film, along with the delectable Michelle Reis; and whoever played Blue Phoenix was also more than a little attractive as well, despite her nasty habit of keeping snakes in her clothes and rustling up hordes of scorpions to swarm her opponents (she'd be your worst nightmare for a blind date). One of Tsui Harks and Hong Kong Cinema's best and definately one of my personal favorites.

Good MOVIE, average Martial Arts Film
I really liked this film. It was very entertaining, had a solid story (that was hard to follow at times), but still very interesting. The characters were great, each and everyone. Brigitte Linn was badly under utilized, using Magic over her martial arts skills, that was disappointing.

Actually, think back, Jet Li was the only character in the whole film that used martial arts, everyone else used magic.

Jet Li's acting was extremely fun to watch. The interaction between him and his sister was great (though she was awful jealous for a sister).

As a whole this movie is a joy to watch, the story and plot are great. But don't buy this movie thinking you are going to see a Kung Fu movie, or skilled martial arts, because you won't.

As a movie I would give Swordsman II a B+
As a martial arts film I would give Swordsman II a C-

This is the dubbed version
Dubbed and renamed. See the original Swordsman II instead.

Strange role for Jet Li
When I first saw Jet Li in this film, I wondered. After watching it though, I have to say that he played the role well, and even made the movie. Michelle Reis was excellent as his "sister," and Rosamund Kwan played the role of village chief flawlessly.

This is a classic.

Buena Vista Home Vid DVD ruined it!
Im here rating "The legend of The Swordsman" wich is actually "Buena Vista Home Vid" DVD version of a great movie called "SwordsmanII"...

First of all, A LOT of dialogues just disappeared, scenes were cut and combat sounds effects RUINED ! ! ! I guess thats what happens when u ask a spanish comapny to re-do a HK classical movie.

Anyway dont just buy the "Buena Vista Home Vid DVD" Called The Legend of the Swordsman, aka Jet Li collection... yeah good job ruinning Jet Li classics Buena Vista Home Vid .... grr ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Really Royal Tramp I, Part 2
The book on which Royal Tramp 1 and 2 are based (The Deer and the Cauldron by Jin Yong) was originally published as a serial in a Chinese newspaper, so the idea of splitting the story up into parts made sense.

As a result, this film is every bit as good as the first one, and I would strongly recommend buying both films. I would also recommend against watching this film first, since the two films really do make up a single story.

I don't think it will give too much away to say that in this film, Wilson Bond (or Wei Xiao Bo/Trinket Wei - translations vary) defeats his enemies, becomes supremely powerful, and marries all the beautiful women he has met. After all, that's the kind of movie this is, and that's the kind of character Wei is. (In the book, you can bet that any time he's introduced to any new powerful group, he'll be a leader of the group within the next 50 pages, and any time he meets a new beautiful woman, he'll be married to her in the next 100 pages. :-)

I also like that this film contains most of my favorite actresses from Hong Kong: At the end of the first movie, the Empress Dowager (played by the fabulously beautiful "Sharla" Cheung Man) was found to be someone else in disguise. That "someone else" is played in part 2 by Brigitte Lin, another of my favorite female stars. (I would have been happy to watch another couple of hours of the lovely Ms. Cheung, but at least we got a brief appearance from her at the beginning). This film also has Helena Law Lan (who bears a striking resemblance to Michelle Yeoh in this role) as the One-Armed Nun, Michele Reis, Chingmy Yau... Ahhh. If the plot weren't so good, I could just spend my time watching the pretty women.

I can't recommend this movie (or part 1) highly enough. This one is really a must for any fan of Hong Kong cinema, and a great introduction for those who aren't fans yet.

Royal Tramp II, or Lone'er Seeks Revenge on Wilson Bond
"Lu ding ji II zhi shen long jiao" (don't you just love Mandarin?) is not so much a sequel as a continuation of "Royal Tramp." Our hero, Wilson Bond (Stephen Chow), is now a friend of Emperor Ning (Siu-Lun Wan), but he is still caught in the middle of all the factions trying to overthrow the emperor. Bond is ordered to escort the Emperor's sister (Chingmy Yau), who is about to be married off to form a political alliance with a treacherous prince. Once again, our hero is forced to get by on his big mouth and his fast thinking. This 1992 film, also directed by Wong Jing, is a half-step below the original, mainly because it is covering the same ground in a new setting, but for a "sequel" that is pretty darn good. These films might be intended as parodies of Hong Kong swordplay epics, but they are actually way about average as representatives of the genre. Be sure to watch both parts as a double feature. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Every 15 minutes there's a flabbergasting sword fight. All the warriors can fly over, or dismember, their opponents with a flick of the wrist. (The action was staged by Ching Siu-tung, the director of A Chinese Ghost Story.) Eyeballs are extracted, wrists snap, heads explode. The caffeine-rush editing style and its tendency to scream and throw things (usually right at our heads) is almost alienating; it distracts us from a story line that would be difficult to parse even at normal speeds. A scroll known as the Sacred Volume, offering the secret to a powerful martial arts technique, has been filched from the imperial library in Beijing, and the snippy eunuchs assigned to guard it are waxing wroth. An amiable wandering swashbuckler known as Fox, Ling Hu-ching (Sam Hui), from the Wah Mountain School of Swordsmen, gets tagged with the hopeless assignment of retrieving the lost scroll. Wu Ma and Lin Zheng-ying, as noble old martial artists, sing a song together and then die staunchly. Various other factions of fighters, including the glorious women of the rebel Sun and Moon Society of broad-hatted "Highlanders" (who make their living smuggling salt) also express an interest in the scroll--and their principle modes of expression are all fiercely martial. Adapted from the novel The Laughing Swordsman, by Louis Cha (a.k.a. Jin Yong), the H. Rider Haggard of Asia. Cha's story about the character's youth, Fox Volant of the Snowy Mountain, is available in English. --David Chute ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Disapointed...
I had very high expectations from this movie. First its the reason why I signed up to amazon, couldnt find Swordsman I anywhere after falling in love with Swordsman II. Plus Iv'read all the feedback in here and people are saying things like "action every 15 minutes" hmmm... maybe quantity is good, but quality is much better. Anyway, not enough swordsfight, and when one happens its too short.

Like another viewer says, this movie helps u understand SwordsmanII better, might be the only valuable reason to see it.. and i miss jet Li :(

Why all the negative opinions?
For some reason, this movie has always seemed to polarize opinion (when people could actually find a copy-- it's been notoriously hard to find until now). People either love it or hate it. After recently viewing the DVD, I'm leaning toward the former camp.

The plot revolves around various parties attempting to recover a scroll that contains a powerful martial arts technique. It's as simple as that, really, and the complexity of the plot stems from the fact that there isn't always a clear line between the good guys and the bad guys-- with the exception of the aptly-named "Laughing Swordsman," the central character of a series of novels upon which this film was based. And I always considered depth of character to be a GOOD thing in a movie.

All told, there really isn't a lot to distinguish this from a typical (typically solid, that is) Hong Kong actioner. However, the notable feature is that it involved no fewer than four directors. Getting top billing is the legendary King Hu, although the better-known Tsui Hark has made an obvious mark. While too many cooks usually spell disaster for a movie, this feels like a genuinely cooperative effort. Hu's eye for atmosphere, color and photography is apparent, while Hark keeps the action sequences looking dynamic and tense. It adds up, amazingly, to an admirable directorial job.

Another asset of the film is its willingness to be dark. Some of the most memorable Hong Kong films feature villains that are really worthy of the viewer's hatred (The Heroic Trio, for one), and there are some vicious scenes in this film. To me, that added to the overall effect.

No, it's not a slapdash story. No, it isn't the mess it could have been, and no, it isn't non-stop wirework and fake action. Swordsman might not earn itself a place as a genuine classic of Hong Kong cinema, but it's a strong effort that's well worth a look-- not only for its historical pairing of several famous directors (let's not forget Ching Siu Tung), but because it's genuinely entertaining.

One of the best adventure/fantasy films ever made.
Swordsman has to be the most under-rated film in the history of modern-day cinema. It is arguably superior to Swordsman 2 and it's beyond me why this film isn't hyped up more than it is.

Yauk Lee
This was a pretty cheesy movie. The actors aren't that great and the filmography is bad. I can't think of any other reason of buying this than to understand part II --- which is a much better movie.

5 Stars for Purely Personnal Reasons
While I don't think anyone will like this movie as much as I did, it's still a pretty good film, providing you remember that like the other two films that make up the trilogy (Swordsman II and The East is Red)this is a fantasy epic, not a martial arts movie. And despite what another reviewer said about this movie, the song that's sung repeatedly through the film is only stupid if you have a closed mind. Furthermore, Tai Seng recently re-released this film so now it's actually possible to read the subtitles. About the movie itself, there are several pretty good fight scences, but they're all 99% special effects. If you can live with that, than you'll probably enjoy this film, but if you're more interested in fight scenes reminicent of Iron Monkey or Fist of Legend instead of Japanese Anime, pass this one buy. That being said, it's a very good film with an unusual plot (meaning it's not a revenge story) about the theft from the Forbidden City of the Sacred "Volume" or Scroll that instructs the reader how to obtain arcane and ultimately divine abilities in martial arts. Sam Hui plays the care-free and clownish swordsman Fox, with Cecelia Yip playing his companion, both of whom get caught up between the various opposing factions who are intent on aquiring the scroll at any cost. Fights erupt between minions of the Imperial Court, the "Wah Mountain School", and the Sun Moon Sect, apparently a non-Han group that dress a little like the Shan near Thailand. In one of the more interesting fight scenes of the movie, Yuen Wah, playing the villian as always and fighting with the Chief of the Sun Moon Sect (Cheung Man), meets his demise after getting a bee in his bonnet and is subsequently reunited with his ancestors courtesy of Cheung Man's bull whip. Again, if you're a Hong Kong Cineman fan who doesn't demand the usual martial arts offerings, you'll probably like this film. CLOSING TRIVIA: Yuen Wah was one of Sammo Hung's and Jackie Chan's classmates at the same Beijing Opera School and was known for his almost freakish physical skill. Once while training, after maintaining a handstand for almost an hour, the master told the students to take a break. Everyone came out of their handstand, except Yuen Wah. When one of the other students took a closer look at Yuen, he found