Category: Shaw Bros. Sat.
Shaws Brothers Saturdays: ‘Vengeance is a Golden Blade’ puts good storytelling at the forefront
Vengeance is a Golden Blade Directed by Ho Meng-Hua Written by Ho Meng-Hua and Yun Chich Tu Hong Kong, 1969 Ah, the McGuffin, the prized object that each and every character in a film is influenced by, seeks out but … [Read the Rest]
Shaw Brothers Saturdays: ‘Golden Swallow’ is ultimately a satisfying experience, if a little somber
Golden Swallow (also known as The Girl With the Thunderbolt Kick) Directed by Chang Cheh Written by Hang Cheh and Tu Yun Chih Hong Kong, 1968 Who has never watched a film a second, third or even fourth time and … [Read the Rest]
Shaw Brothers Saturdays: ‘The Boxer from Shantung’ somehow goes for something new, yet lacks originality
The Boxer from Shantung Directed by Chang Cheh and Pao Hsueh Lieh Written by Chang Cheh and Ni Kuang Hong Kong, 1972 Anyone who has seen just a few Shaw martial arts films has noticed a trend: all of the … [Read the Rest]
Shaw Brothers Saturdays: ‘The Twelve Gold Medallions’ has intense battles, incredible dialogue and a great hero
The Twelve Gold Medallions Directed by Ching Gong Written by Ching Gong Hong Kong, 1970 It would be a bit of a stretch to argue that the Shaw Brothers studio was an excellent venue for actors for flex their thespian … [Read the Rest]
Shaw Brothers Saturdays: ‘Lady of Steel’ makes the epic very intimate, and the intimate very epic
Lady of Steel Directed by Ho Meng Hua Written by Liang Yen Hong Kong, 1970 Movies whose stories are set within the parameters of grand scale wars can tell one of two types of stories. Either the film speaks to … [Read the Rest]
Shaw Brothers Saturdays: ‘The Web of Death’ spins a web of delightful sin
The Web of Death Directed by Chor Yuen Written by Ni Kuang Hong Kong, 1976 Is there value in creating a remake? The safe answer is a resounding no given how, unfortunately, too many of them fail to live up … [Read the Rest]
Shaw Brothers Saturdays: ‘The Thundering Sword’ is a like a storm: impressive at first but eventually dies down
The Thundering Sword Directed by Chiang Hung Hsu Written by Chiang Shen Hong Kong, 1967 Heroes behaving virtuously and villains relishing in evildoing are the archetypical behaviours of characters which make up action adventure films. This is the easiest route … [Read the Rest]
Shaw Brothers Saturdays: Sadly, ‘The One Armed Swordsman’ cannot overcome all of his handicaps
The One Armed Swordsman Directed by Chang Cheh Written by Chang Cheh and Kuang Ni Hong Kong, 1967 One knows exactly when it has happened. Any movie aficionado is familiar with that odd feeling which takes over when one has … [Read the Rest]
Shaw Brothers Saturdays: ‘The Sword and the Lute’ ends its trilogy, but is also one chapter too many
The Sword and the Lute Directed by Hsu Tseng-Hung Written by San Kong Hong Kong, 1967 After Temple of the Red Lotus and The Twin Swords both emerged onto the Hong Kong cinema scene in 1965, showcasing several brand new, … [Read the Rest]
Shaw Brothers Saturdays: ‘Heroes of the East’ is in a class of its own, period
Heroes of the East Directed by Lau Kar-leung Written by Kuang Ni Hong Kong, 1978 Marriage. There is really nothing like it. The love which binds two people together so strongly can emanate from any number of things, such as … [Read the Rest]
Shaw Brothers Saturdays: ‘Duel for Gold’ keeps the viewers on their toes and guessing
Duel for Gold Directed by Chor Yuen Written by Ni Kuang Hong Kong, 1971 A heist film presents a host of wonderful potentialities to engage a viewer. There is the attraction of a sizable bounty, the disparate individuals who contest … [Read the Rest]
Shaw Brothers Saturdays: ‘The Tigress of Shaolin’ is aimless, scriptless and pointless
The Tigress of Shaolin Directed by Chi Lo Written by Chi Lo Hong Kong, 1979 There are no two ways about it. Sitting down to right an assessment of a comedy is a prickly matter. What makes one laugh in … [Read the Rest]
Shaw Brothers Saturdays: ‘The Twin Swords’ lacks polish, but takes steps in the right direction
The Twin Swords Directed by Hsu Tseng-Hung Script by San Kong Hong Kong, 1965 Few would debate that the single defining decade in the all too short history of the Shaw Brothers studio was the 1970s. The staggering amount influential … [Read the Rest]
Shaw Brothers Saturdays: ‘Human Lanterns’ follows its own bloody rules!
Human Lanterns Directed by Sun Chung Written by Kuang Ni and Sun Chung Hong Kong, 1982 There is an exciting element of risk whenever creative minds willfully choose to go against the grain. Directors, writers and actors, when feeling adventurous, … [Read the Rest]
Shaw Brothers Saturdays: ‘All Men Are Brothers’ proves to be a satisfying conclusion
All Men Are Brothers Directed by Chang Cheh Written by Chang Cheh and Kuang Ni Hong Kong, 1975 In 1972, The Water Margin exploded onto the Hong Kong cinema scene, courtesy of acclaimed director Chang Cheh, an eclectic cast and … [Read the Rest]
