Movielogr
Swordsman and Enchantress (1978)
Directed by Chor Yuen
Twitter Facebook Google+Overview
Asian fans of Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon recognized that its director Ang Lee was actually inspired by director Chu Yuan and novelist Ku Lung’s wonderful tales of a “martial art world” where all wushu warriors try to attain the “Deer Sword” and escape from the insidious maze-like “Toy Land.” Master kung-fu choreographer Tang Chia leads the king and queen of Shaw’s swordplay, Ti Lung and Lily Li, in a fascinating and entertaining adventure of consummate swordmen and sorceresses.
Length 86 minutes
Actors
Ti Lung | Candy Wen Xue-Er | Lily Li Li-Li | Tony Liu | Ching Li | Tang Ching | Norman Chu | Shum Lo | Ku Kuan-Chung | Chih-Ching Yang | Ting Tung | Lee Hoi-Sang | Teresa Ha Ping | Chiang Nan | Kara Hui | Yuen Bun | Tang Tak-Cheung | Law Keung | Alan Chan Kwok-Kuen | Chik Ngai-Hung | Yuen Biao | Brandy Yuen | Wang Han-Chen | Chan Shen | Wong Ching-Ho | Yuen Wah | Pei Chi Huang | Hsu Hsia | Gam Tin-Chue | Chin Chun | Sai Gwa-Pau | Hung Ling-Ling
Viewing History (seen 1 time)
| Date Viewed | Device | Format | Source | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08/05/2018 | TV | Streaming | Video on Demand | 8.5 stars |
| (Average) 8.5 stars |
Viewing Notes
This might have jumped into my top five favorite Shaw Brothers flicks. Holy heavenly sword is this a pure delight. Pure fantastical sword fighting and trickery in the martial world. How have I not seen this one until now??
Firstly the cast is top shelf for that year with Ti Lung and Ching Li as the main “romantic couple” with Tony Lau Wing as the super badass boxer after them (Ching Li is his wife). Then in a sweet role is Candy Wen Xue-Er as the super villain causing chaos everywhere. Really nice turn for her. In supporting roles are Lily Li Li-Li and Norman Chu as a deadly duo on their own. The cast is so stacked Kara Hui is merely an extra seen only in a brief few seconds.
Secondly this a beautiful movie and maybe the first Shaw film that made me say “I want to live on that set”. Ti Lung’s “wolf den” home is incredible. Oddly about the third of film is shot out of focus as though they didn’t care and/or going for a dreamy feeling, which is part of the storyline. Just wild to see a close up of a character completely out of focus.
Thirdly, this is one fighting set piece after another with some wild fights including the Iron Zombies and Red Peach/Green Willow combo. Have I mentioned the Puppet Village where all the best boxers have been miniaturized? This movie just gets more batshit as it goes and I love it. There’s a surprise around every corner and everyone is all in on this crazy ride.
Maybe this movie is too insane to be taken seriously among the better Shaw films but I’d love to own this one because it’s so nuts with all the wonderful things that make these films so entertaining.
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