Xian si jue

This is one of the five best swordplay movies I have ever seen as it includes the contrast between two oriental countries: China and Japan.The story is summarized by: The greatest warrior of Japan comes to China to obtain a ''Duel to the death'' against China's greatest warrior: and this story leads to a series of superb sword confrontations showing each country's style of swordfighting. Ching siu-Tung does not only emphasizes on the action but also includes some nice elements that will become his trademark in terms of visual effects and camerawork. This one is a must-see for his many esthetic qualities and for the breathtaking swordfights!! 9.5/10

Duel to the Death has such a slight plot that even with a runtime of under 90 minutes, it still feels like it has some padding. There are two people that need to fight, and the movie builds up to that fight. There are a few extra complications introduced towards the end, but it's generally very straightforward. They make up for it with some increasingly wild things that happen throughout, which was appreciated. It feels less and less like a grounded martial arts movie as it goes along, with some wonderfully bizarre stuff popping up out of nowhere at certain points.

And I think it's generally entertaining enough to end up being a solid film. The action's creative and well-choreographed. The score sounds weirdly similar to Gone with the Wind's main theme, though. That was a bit distracting, or it could just be me.

I'll start by saying I'm in no way an expert on martial arts movies. One night I was awake at 3:30 a.m. and happened to catch this movie, that's all. It was part of a martial arts marathon, or something. I was magnetized the entire time, and by the end I realized I had seen a film that was a direct predecessor of "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon."

I must agree with the other reviewer here, who states so eloquently that this movie knows exactly what it wants to do and does it perfectly.

The cinematography is stunning. Almost every frame is beautiful.

It's utterly preposterous, of course, but even that makes it a wonderful fantasy film that actually has much in common with Peter Jackson's "Lord of the Rings" films. By that I mean it's utter fantasy beautifully and meticulously realized.

Put it this way, I'm watching it again right now - about 15 years after I first discovered it, and I'm enjoying it so much I came here to IMDb, just to put SOME kind of review out there in the world for this wonderful movie.

Wherever this movie isn't well executed, it's crazy fun, and vice verse. It's impossible to tell where the beauty ends and the craziness begins, too. Just one of my favorite movies ever - and I've watched a lot of movies.

Duel to the Death (1982) is Ching Siu-tung at his best! Classic Kung-Fu at it's best. See wire work and kinetic martial arts at it's best. The plot is old hat (China vs. Japan) but the action is pure eye candy! Ching Siu-tung went on to become on of the elite action directors in the Hong Kong Cinema (check out A Better Tomorrow II, The Killer and The Heroic Trio films and see why!) The movie was re-released in the United States but it's the cut version. I advise you to seek out the uncut Hong Kong version, you wont be disappointed!

You can see that this movie is still very influential. Even to this day film makers such as "Q" love this film.

Highly recommended!

The Tick would be proud!! Anyway, I happened to see this on a lark one Saturday on the Action Channel and fell in LOVE! I rushed out and found it on DVD, much to my little kung fu heart's surprise. The plot is a little hard to follow in places, but it makes for fun viewing, especially the NINJAS! They make some great entrances, coming in on kites being the best! Mommy, can I get my very own Ninja Kite? And you haven't lived until you've seen a NAKED ninja (hmm, never learned THAT move in Tai kwon do)! Just go with me on this one. Find it, buy it, rent it, kill if you must! This is one of the best/silliest kung fu movies you'll ever see.