A trio of men ride across the landscape, stopping to ask a young wood cutter (Chang Yi) for directions. He obliges, but to thank him, they fire some arrows just for fun. We soon learn exactly what kind of men they are as they descend upon a nearby house, brutally murdering everyone in it before leaving, with Chang Yi returning to find his family slaughtered...
With revenge on the cards, Chang takes his mothers belled-bracelet and soon finds a master that can teach him how to fight. One of the many great things about Bells Of Death, is that unlike many other kung-fu movies of that era (and forever after it), there is virtually no training sequences when Chang meets his master. The old man simply nods and we jump forward in time to see the wood cutter out on the road, searching for the psychotic killers - who are quite clearly leaving a trail of body parts wherever they go!
Made in 1968, Bells Of Death definitely stands apart from many Shaw Brothers flicks of the time and more so the 70's catalogue. Its pretty amazing, shot beautifully with great performances from all involved; a brooding, intense revenge flick with wonderfully detailed costumes, make-up, and art direction. Some have pointed out that the film is a remake of the 1966 Western film, Nevada Smith starring Steve McQueen, and it certainly does have its similarities along with its blend of spaghetti-western, which in turn derives from the classic samurai movie. Directed by Yueh Feng, who has been directing since the 1930's with classics such as The Two Cavaliers, The Magnificent Swordsman, and The Golden Knight under his belt, there is very little to complain about with Bells Of Death. In fact, I'd probably say its one of his finest, and one of my favourite Shaw Brothers movies.
With a great cast (of its time) including a young Wu Ma and a brief appearance by an even younger Sammo Hung in the background, Bells Of Death highlights the fantastic talents of Chang Yi before he became more noticed for his outlandish and wihite-haired characters in the late 70's and early 80's independent Hong Kong and Taiwanese kung-fu flicks. It also stars the great Ku Feng, Shaw Brothers star of Kiler Constable, Clans Of Intrigue, and many more Hong Kong hits. He plays one of the killers, using a deadly axe as he takes no prisoners and thrives in killing anyone who gets in his way...
As mentioned, the cinematography is just gorgeous; wonderfully captured with some amazing lighting and camerawork thanks to Pao Hsueh Lieh. Having been behind a number of Shaw Brotehrs and Yueh Feng films, he went on to become a great director himself giving us classics such as Ti Lung's Kung Fu Emperor and Inheritor Of Kung Fu, as well as The Water Margin (ak Seven Blows Of The Dragon) and more. Its an incredibly stunning film!
The martial arts and swordplay action is surprisingly grounded for the most part, and beautifully done with an incredible amount of violence for its time. With limbs flying, impaling and even decapitations (done wonderfully), the film has many stunning moments of battle that will please even the most hardened kung-fu film fan and isn't shy on gore.
With tones of classic Japanese cinema running through it, director Yueh Feng delivers a fantastically dark revenge-thriller, that even now, at over 50 years old - still stands strong with its frenetic energy, suspense, shooting style and execution!
Overall: Wonderfully written, cleverly directed and beautifully shot, Bells Of Death is a stunning slice of Shaw Brothers cinema that deserves to be seen!
