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Reviews
Ying zi shen bian (1971)
good early kung-fu film...
...but don't expect the level of fight choreography that you'd see from Tsui Hark or Cheh Chang. It's a great vehicle for Cheng Pei-pei (Come Drink With Me, Crouching Tiger), who wields a whip to great effect. There are many familiar faces from other Shaw Brothers films here, and it's all capably done, though with a bit too much wire-fu for my taste.
One of the unusual aspects of this film is that it takes place during winter, with the outdoor action taking place in snowy fields and forests--I can't recall another martial arts film in a winter setting. This allows our heroine to go about fetchingly in fur-trimmed togs and headgear as she cracks the whip of virtue and honor.
Ching se (1993)
any movie with Maggie Cheung and Joey Wang can't be all bad...
...and this one's very good. It's a retelling of the Chinese legend Madam White Snake, and while some of the effects aren't what a big-budget film would allow, Cheung and Wang convey a sexiness in their roles that make it highly entertaining.
Shaw Brothers made a version of the story titled Madam White Snake in the 60's or 70's. In 2001, there was a very lengthy Taiwan-produced TV series of the same name. So far as I know, neither of these are out on DVD.
Bian fu chuan qi (1978)
not the Shaw Brothers best, but kinda fun...
Outlandish sets, garish lighting, a chartreuse pool of acid and the evil Mr. Bat, with his minions in red jumpsuits, capes and cute little bat ears. Oh, and the only kung-fu movie you'll ever see featuring an auction.
There are decent fight scenes, though too much time between them. This is not Ti Lung's finest hour, but it's a great example of Shaw Brothers excess. That said, I did enjoy it, but if you're after some good Ti Lung chopsocky, try The Magic Blade or Blood Brothers, both available in the Shaw reissue series by Celestial Pictures.
Idi i smotri (1985)
Don't let part one lull you...
into thinking that descriptions like 'emotionally draining' and 'deeply disturbing' are overstatements. That was how I was feeling until I inserted the second DVD.
Disk two (I have the Kino release--I assume that the Ruscico edition is the same) is where the visual assault begins, and it doesn't let up. This is NOT a date movie...
Tie shan gong zhu (1966)
Restored Shaw Bros. classic
This is the second of the Shaw Brothers productions of stories from the classic Chinese folk tale Journey to the West. The first film in the series, The Monkey Goes West, introduces us to Monkey, Pigsy and Sandy, who, as companions and protectors, accompany the monk Tripitaka on his journey to acquire Buddhist scriptures.
This segment relates the story of Princess Iron Fan's efforts to kidnap Tripitaka and eat his flesh so that, along with her followers, she will gain immortality. The intrepid Monkey is not fooled by her efforts (unlike the hapless Pigsy and Sandy) and saves the day and Tripitaka's flesh. The release by Celestial Pictures, who is reissuing the entire Shaw Brothers catalog, has been beautifully restored.
As with the first in the series, the film presupposes a basic knowledge of Journey to the West. This is all well and good for the Chinese audience, who learned the story as American children learned about Snow White. For many non-Chinese, though, the narrative leaps can be a bit confusing. At one point, for instance, Monkey is sent back to Fruit and Flower Mountain, where he is Monkey King, but the very entertaining tale of Fruit and Flower Mountain, and how Monkey came to be Monkey King, is never explored. There are a few references to Monkey's troubles in Heaven and what an annoying fellow he can be, but no explanation about the magical staff with which he bests his enemies.
That aside, it's a very entertaining film. For those interested in the background of the story and who may not have the time or interest to read the multi-volume Journey to the West, Monkey (translated by Arthur Waley) covers about half of the one hundred chapters in the original story and, most importantly, relates the history of the four travelers. The films will be much more appreciated for the effort.
Xi you ji (1966)
beautifully restored Shaw Brothers classic
This film version tells an early segment of the lengthy Chinese folk tale Journey to the West. The newly released (in Hong Kong, anyway) DVD version has been digitally restored, and so the visual and audio presentation is at least as good as it was at its 1966 release, with full, rich color and sound (I kept thinking of the restored version of The Wizard of Oz, with the almost-too-bright colors).
The film clearly was made for Chinese audiences who would have been familiar with the story. Consequently, much of the history of Monkey, Pigsy and Sandy is brief to nonexistant, which is a shame, as it's central to understanding how they came to be together. Nonetheless, it's thoroughly enjoyable; even the musical numbers.
Celestial Pictures has also released another story from Journey to the West, Princess Iron Fan, with many of the same characters.