Movielogr
The Flying Guillotine (1975)
Directed by Ho Meng-Hua
Twitter Facebook Google+Most recently watched by sensoria
Overview
The Emperor’s armies have developed a new weapon: a thrown blade that can remove someone’s head from long distance. As the paranoid Emperor begins decapitating anyone he fears might be a threat, his guard Mau Tang becomes disillusioned with the excesses of his master. He leaves his post and takes up the quiet life of farming and raising a family. Eventually, though, his past catches up with him, and he must find a way to fight the flying guillotine if he is to save his head.
Length 105 minutes
Actors
Chen Kuan-Tai | Ku Feng | Wai Wang | Kong Yeung | Lau Ng-Kei | Ai Ti | Yue Wong | Lam Wai-Tiu | Norman Chu | Ricky Hui | Wu Chi-Chin | Lei Lung | Lin Wen-Wei | Wai Pak | Wang Han-Chen | Lee Sau-Kei | Lee Pang-Fei
Viewing History (seen 2 times)
| Date Viewed | Device | Format | Source | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 09/16/2024 | TV | Blu-ray | Owned | 7.5 stars |
| 02/19/2015 | TV | DVD | Owned | 7 stars |
| (Average) 7.25 stars |
Viewing Notes
Weird. I don’t think I’ve seen this.
Yup, I hadn’t seen it. Crazy b/c I’ve owned this cheapie DVD almost as long as I’ve owned DVDs. Guess I always thought it was the same movie as MASTER OF THE FLYING GUILLOTINE. It’s not as this one is produced by Shaw Brothers sans any of their real big stars at the time.
This doesn’t diminish the film but I have to wonder how some big star power and acting and fighting chops may have elevated this movie beyond just being very good.
This movie released a year before MotFG in what may have been cockblock movie by the Shaw Brothers however the film does work as a loose prequel to MotFG in sense that this is an origin story for the flying guillotine, which I really like. I’m sure there’s some background stories around both films that I’d love to read.
Count this as another movie that I’d like to see on the big screen (it’s insanely violent given all the beheading that happens) and in its original language (though the English dub isn’t bad). The big thing is to view a decent print; my budget DVD was duped from a bad VHS. Pretty awful, washed out print too. Still very watchable.
Given how fucking cool the device is I’m very surprised that there haven’t been more movies featuring it. I’d also love to see a making-of because they must have some neat rigs for making those things fly and look realistic.
9 years ago
If you have Hulu Plus and don’t mind the dubbing, which isn’t too bad, the “print” is great quality. I too confused this with Master and that’s why I hadn’t watched it either.
9 years ago
I don’t have H+ yet but keep meaning to sign up since they have so many films I want to see in addition to the Shaw catalog. I’m used to the dubbing thanks to El Rey so that wouldn’t bother me.
There is a troubled sequel to this movie that I’ve watched twice and worth checking out.
9 years ago
I think the sequel might by on Hulu Plus as well. I’ll have to check it out!