The Revenger 金劍 (1980)

[teako170]

Nice line-up with Ti Lung, Tan Tao-Liang, Wong Ching and Shih Szu. Directed by one of my faves, Pao Hsueh-Li. Here's some unique scans from an ultra rare mag and a review by a guy named Pollard. Hmmm, whatever happened to that guy..?

 

In this elaborate costume drama Mao Kou, an ambitious fighter sets a trap for Shou Chu, the realm’s top fighter by uniting other skilled fighters to help him kill the wandering spearman. After falling in love with Chu, Mao’s sister Ah Ping goes into hiding with Chu’s son in her womb after Shou has been killed. Years later, Chu’s son seeks out Mao Kou to collect his father’s bones to fulfill his mother’s dying request. Joined with another fighter, whose parents had been killed by Mao, Chu’s son confronts Mao, forcing him to avenge his father’s death.

This is a be-all picture combining elements from many different genre films all into one. It includes elaborate costumes, tragic drama, combat displaying a wide assortment of weaponry, vagabond humor, romantic entanglements, and of course the prerequisite revenge plot.

Ti Lung, who played Jackie Chan’s father in Drunken Master II (1994) pulls double duty playing both Shou Chu, a wandering warrior in the first half of the film and later his son who must revenge his father’s death. Filmmakers in this genre have never been too concerned with the actual age of their actors when casting them in various roles, sometimes resulting in ludicrous situations. Lung manages quite well in this film and its a testament to his acting abilities that he manages to later play Chan’s father when in fact they are very near the same age.

This film really does have a lot to offer if one can overlook the sprawling and overly dramatic performances. There are a number of fine fights using dozens of different weapons including axes, a claw attached to a chain, a three-section staff and even wine flasks are used by a pair of bungling vagabonds who turn out to be Chu’s brothers. No one’s martial arts skills stand out and a few are fairly poor but the choreography is solid. There is little or no wirework, a common feature of lavish costume films of the genre but all of the other conventions are present. Dorian Tan, a personal favorite has a small role in the second half, performing his graceful kicks as usual.

The worst aspects of the film would be the drama which is too heavy-handed and a plot that gets muddled by too many primary characters. Shou Chu has a romantic entanglement with Ah Ling that inevitably goes sour. Basically, she has helped her brother to kill Chu and having come to truly love him through the course of the deception, heartily regrets her actions. This of course comes back to haunt her when she breaks the news to her son years later. There is some genuine pathos here but its overplayed. The addition of a couple who are killed for harboring a fugitive fighter named Shur Lin who opposed the plot against Shou Chu unnecessarily spreads into a whole different plot. Now the two surviving children of the pair are split up, one raised by Shur Lin and the other played by Dorian Tan is rasied by Mao Kou. Of course, in the final confrontation everybody’s origin is exposed and loyalties shift with dramatic and tragic results.

The Revenger is an enjoyable film despite its “been there, seen that” conventions. The stock soundtrack frequently hits the right chord for the scene. There is plenty of unremarkable armed combat on colorful sets and interesting locales with characters sporting interesting costumes. The splintered plot is over dramatized but remains at least mildly engaging thanks to good pacing and appealing visuals.

By Mark Pollard
 

[lungfei]

first class taiwan sworplay flick woudn't mind a widescreen copy.

 

 

 

[Lady Jin Szu-Yi]

I wouldn't mind a complete copy, mine goes kaput shortly after the 60 minute mark. 

Thanks for the images / info @teako170

[khuu_2000]

Hello everybody,can you tell me where to find this film in Chinese(Mandarin)?,Thanks