So begins Chu Yuan's adaptation of the Sentimental Swordsman from Gu Long's celebrated novel (sometimes known as Little Li's Flying Dagger, the Chinese title of the popular 70s'TVB serial). A problem with the film is that it attempts to keep too much of the book's story at the expense of it characterization. Nor is the McGuffin that advances the plot particularly interesting. The mysterious package is revealed early on to be an invincible Gold Threaded Vest, but we never find out where it's from, where it was supposed to go, or how it even ties in with the Plum Flower Bandit. And what about the pink clad Bandit? Think less scary and more comical. The mystery of the Bandit's true identity is constructed less like a whodunit and more like a nonsensical conspiracy.

Part of the blame lies with Gu Long's contrived plot twists. For example Xunhuan's back-story is so unconvincing (to repay his best friend for saving his life, Xunhuan gives up his official position, his family home, fortune, true love and exiles himself for ten years) that other characters question the logic of it! The only real departure from the book is the ending's forced and obvious revelation that tries to wrap everything up, rather than the original's cliffhanger. And if the heavy handed foreshadowing didn't give it all way, the casting alone would.

Without any real drama or character development, it is up to the actors' performances to keep the audience interested. Ti Lung is charismatic as Xunhuan, but inconsistent in his portrayal. Xunhuan is supposedly ill from his inexplicably tragic past, but aside from the occasional cough he isn't all that sick (he kicks ass just fine) or all that sad. Derek Yee is excellent as Ah Fei, young and naïve, but absolutely intense as a deadly swordsman. If you pay attention, you will even notice that he fights not with a sword, but merely a blunt metal rod. Ching Li is the only actress with a substantial role, and is credible as Lin Xianer, the calculating beauty, but Yu An-an as lady Lin Shi Yin is little more than decoration, although her one scene with Ti Lung manages to demonstrate some of the unspoken love the two share.

The action, composed of fancy swordplay and superhuman leaps fits squarely in the wuxia genre. There are a number of battles sprinkled all the way through the film and most are choreographed quite enjoyable, if unmemorable. The only stand out match is between Ah Fei and Mr. Iron Flute, effectively played by Norman Chu. Both are cold blooded killers and how the two measure each other is dramatic and character defining. Unfortunately although they do have a rematch, the plot leaves their battle unresolved. There is almost no hand fighting in the film and what little there is isn't very good. One cinematic addition that is not in the novel is Xunhuan's fan. It's used to display his title and motto which is cheesy, but it's also used to conceal multiple knives and cover his legendary swift hand. Although it is a knock-off of other fan-wielding heroes, it's a neat little touch and demonstrates how Xunhuan can kill so many at once.

The standard set of Celestial extras with only a new trailer in Mandarin, not even the original. Biographies are informative and the rest is of mild interest. I don't usually mention the Production Notes which are also printed on the back of the box, but the reference to the 'Oedipus-complex' hero is absolutely ludicrous and indicates just how shameful the attention and care or lack thereof shown towards these films is sometimes.