The next entry in Fortune Star's
series of remastered DVDs is the classic Swordsman. Notable for ushering
in the '90s wave of wu xia in Hong Kong cinema, Swordsman was a box office
blockbuster that spawned two sequels and a number one hit song with James
Wong's "Hero of Heroes." The critical acclaim and multiple awards
was the happy ending to a troubled production. Although credited as the
director, King Hu reportedly left the set permanently after only 2 weeks
of production due either to creative differences or medical concerns, and
was replaced with no less than 3 acting directors including producer Tsui
Hark, Ching Siu-Tung and Raymond Lee.
Loosely based on the epic novel Smiling Proud Wanderer (AKA "The
Hero of Heroes") by Louis Cha (Jin Yong ), the story follows the
theft of the Sacred Volume, a powerful martial arts scroll from the East
Securitate (Royal secret police). The Chief Eunuch discovers that it was
taken by Lam Chun Nam, a retired government official. With his home quickly
surrounded by royal guards, Lam calls upon his sworn brother, the head
of Wah Mountain Sword School who sends his eldest disciple, Ling Wu Chong
to help. To retrieve the scroll, the Eunuchs send in Zhor, the powerful
Leader of the 5 Ranges who attacks without mercy and despite Ling's efforts
decimates the Lam clan. Ling and his sidekick, Kiddo barely escapes with
the knowledge of the scroll's hidden location and must report to his master
about the Lam's demise. After much bloodshed and fearful of raising the
attention of their political rivals in the West Securitate, the Eunuchs
blame the deaths on a roving band of Miu Highlanders. Lost and alone with
Kiddo fallen ill, Ling must elude the guards pursuing them, encounter
a fascinating assortment of characters, learn a new song, and discover
that perhaps even his own master may not be trusted
This film has a great script that tightly weaves together action and political
intrigue with themes of prejudice, social commentary, and the high price
of fame, elements that often play strongly in King Hu's owns films, but
don't be fooled. While the plot may sound serious and portions of it are,
this is a Hark production through and through, and the fast pace and light-hearted
humour is what makes the film such a joy.
A lot of the fun belongs to Sam Hui as Ling. Although some have expressed
annoyance at his constant mugging and goofy smile, Hui's care-free nature
as a casual ladies man is much more believable than that of Jet Li's subsequent
portrayal. The film may be a period piece, but Hui's anachronistic performance
is what gives life to his witty asides and sarcastic remarks and is typical
of Tsui Hark's brand of comedy.
The female performers are no slouches either starting with a very cute
Cecilia Yip as Ling's tomboy sidekick, Kiddo. Although she's unconvincing
dressed up as a guy, her emotional struggle between being treated as a
girl and acting as a boy isn't hard to believe. Cheung Man is imposing
as the Highlander chief of the Sun and Moon Sect. While intrigued by Ling,
she must protect her people first and foremost from the conniving mainlanders.
And Fennie Yuen is a comic delight and makes a fine foil for Ling as the
mischievous, but kind-hearted Blue Phoenix. She steals the show in every
scene and perhaps that is why she alone reprises her role in the sequel.
Rounding out the cast is a wonderful group of nasty villains who truly
make the film. Their very presence is what advances the plot and allows
for so many tension-filled scenes. Zhor is a terrifying killing machine
as played by Yuen Wah, and Lau Siu Ming gives the duplicitous Master Ngok
an air of power over come by greed. Lau Shun dominates as the evil Chief
Eunuch, but singing star Jacky Cheung surprises the most as the sly Au
Yeung, a complete toady with plans of his own.
As befitting a wu xia martial arts-fantasy, the action scenes are an
interesting combination of wire-work kung fu and primitive special effects.
Those expecting Ching Siu-Tung style choreography will be surprised to
find something quite different. New wave swordplay with an old fashioned
sensibility, although Hui's stunt double is at times obvious and the blue
screen animation never quite fits, the mixture makes for an unusual concoction.
Jump cuts and fast editing highlights the movement of powerful sword strokes
and lends the whole affair a feeling of otherworldliness.
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