This is another of those great swordplay movies that highlighted the three Opera trained Venoms, as well as a strong supporting cast. It is also unusual for a Venoms movie, in that 'Fox' features a trio of women who are as strong in their own ways as the leading men. The movie is complicated, with multiple plotlines spanning two generations.
Chin Siu Ho is young Hu Fei, the orphaned son of Swordsman and Mrs Hu. (Lu Feng and Pan Ping Ching.) Young Hu has been raised by a serving man who was indebted to the Hus'. The servant relates to Hu Fei the story of his parent's death. Swordsman Hu had been involved in a duel with Swordsman Miao (Kuo Chui) over a misunderstanding. The situation had been manipulated by the villainous Swordsman Tien. Over the course of an extended duel, the two men formed an unlikely friendship, which was intolerable to Miao's friend Tien, who arranged for Hu's murder. Miao promised to raise Hu Fei, but the child was wisked away, in order to save him from Tien.
Now, 18 years later, Hu Fei has returned to determine the truth about his parents' death, and seek revenge. Miao has since married and had a daughter, but his wife (Lui Xue Hua) has abandoned them for Tien. Not content with killing Miao's friends and destroying his marriage, Tien also arranges for Miao to be blinded by poison. While Hu is suspicious of Miao, he offers to seek a cure from the mysterious Pharmacist, who turns out to be a bit of a surprise! The Pharmacy clan is also entrenched in intrigue and mystery, another plot that eventually points to the truth oft the death of the Hus'.
In true Chang Cheh fashion, good wins out, and bad pays the ultimate price.
The women in this story are worth mentioning. Rather than being mere set decoration, each woman has unique strengths. Miao's wife saves the life of Hu more than once, using her wits. Hu's wife displays courage and wisdom, as well as remarkable talent with fabric. An Miss Cheng....well, don't go tapping this lady on the arm! You'll get stung!
The good about this story is typical Shaw. Rich costume and make-up, enchanting characters and an engaging story. The casting is clever, with Lu Feng sparkling as a good-natured hero. In contrast, the usually ebulliant Kuo Chui tones down as the sober and dignified Miao. Chiang Sheng is alway entertaining, but he really stands out as the sniveling Tien. The fighting in this movie is primarily complex and dazzling swordplay, with a little mystical chemistry thrown in.
The bad is really just the sad. Try finding this movie! Its one of those rarities that seems only to exist in the imagination. Some really bad, gritty copies are floating around out there, but this is one to beg the studio for. I was luckly enough to catch this on TV a few years ago on latenight television. And no, I didn't tape it....Dang it all! |
