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Rating: 7 stars

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shaw production Kung fu murder mystery detective gay themes martial arts Hong Kong poison

All movies seen on 02/21/2022

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The Duel of the Century (1981)

Directed by Chor Yuen

Mystery | Action

Overview

This mystery-tinged ‘Martial Arts World’ epic was one of director Chu Yuan and novelist Ku Lung’s last together for the Shaw Studios, but it’s another action-filled winner. Liu Yung and Sun Chien team to investigate the martial arts murders of a supposedly mortally wounded swordsman, only to find deception, death, double-dealings, imposters, and one deadly duel after another. No less than three choreographers are on hand to handle the multitude of magnificent martial arts.

Length 91 minutes

Actors

Tony Liu | Elliot Ngok | Jason Pai Piao | Ching Li | Choh Seung-Wan | Tang Ching | Sun Chien | Chih-Ching Yang | Ngaai Fei | Helen Poon Bing-Seung | Lam Fai-Wong | Wong Yung | Alan Chan Kwok-Kuen | Cheng Miu | Cheung Ying | Ku Kuan-Chung | Eric Chan Ga-Kei | Kwan Fung | Shum Lo | Walter Tso Tat-Wah | Wong Ching-Ho | Pei Chi Huang | Yeung Hung | Lam Wai | Sek Gong | Siao Yuk | Fung Ging-Man | Wang Han-Chen | Tsi-Ang Chin | Ting Tung | Gam Tin-Chue | Yeung Ching-Ching | Lau Siu-Kwan | Yuen Bun | Lung Tin-Sang | Hung San-Nam | Yuen Wah | Wong Chi-Ming | Yiu Man-Kei | Lee Hang | Gam Biu | Lui Tat | Lee Ging-Fan | Ng Yuen-Fan | Tam Bo | Kong Chuen | Patrick Ling Chi-Hung | Ming Fung | Lee Fat-Yuen | Hsiung Kao | To Wai-Wo | Yeung Kim-Man | Ho Hon-Chau | Chan Siu-Kai | Lau Cheun | Cheung Hei | Tang Wing-Siu | Wan Yiu-Cho | Cheung Bing-Chan | Ho Chi-Wai | Lee Kin-Chung | Chi Ping Chang

Viewing History (seen 2 times)

Viewing Notes

RIP Chor Yuen
8 October 1934 – 21 February 2022

To celebrate the life of this prolific director, I decided to revisit this movie since I own it and had it on hand. Super fun murder mystery like a proto-Detective Dee story. I really like Tony Liu as the detective; he’s under appreciated in the Shaw history. The story is convoluted as expected from a Shaw Production but the set design and fighting are terrific.

Perhaps the most transgressive Shaw film I’ve seen. Has a full scene in a gay men’s brothel with explicit (for 1982) men hitting on men and being romantically playful together. Pretty cool to see!

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