Tag Archives: Wu xia

Review: Full Moon Scimitar (Hong Kong 1979)

Posted on May 4, 2021 by David

I was not expecting this to start with an actual ballad about the titular scimitar that lays out the story. Sample lyrics “The full moon, the smooth scimitar, The moon knows my heart’s desire. The scimitar would join two loving hearts.” … Continue reading →

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Review: Face Behind the Mask (Hong Kong 1974)

Posted on February 23, 2018 by David

Chen Chi-hwa’s Face Behind the Mask is a solid piece of wu xia entertainment. It’s not revolutionary, and it really doesn’t do anything that hasn’t been done before. However, all the elements come together nicely to create a quick-paced piece … Continue reading →

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Review: Reign of Assassins aka Jian Yu (Taiwan/China/Hong Kong 2010)

Posted on August 4, 2017 by David

Reign of Assassins is one of the best wu xia films of the past decade, marrying old school pleasures with comic book aesthetics and inventive action instead of relying on the grim seriousness mandated by the Hero model. Characterization is … Continue reading →

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Review: The Treasure Hunters (Hong Kong 1981)

Posted on May 11, 2017 by David

Certainly not one of Shaw Brothers’ best, this wacky kung fu comedy stars Alexander Fu Sheng and his brother Chang Chen Peng as petty crooks out to steal a big treasure. Everybody does their usual schtick – Fu Sheng is … Continue reading →

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Review: The Black Tavern (Hong Kong 1972)

Posted on March 25, 2017 by David

An obscurity from the Shaw Brothers’ libraries, this film is definitely staffed with the Shaw B-team but still manages to be an energy-filled take on King Hu’s classic Dragon Inn.

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