Masterful martial arts filmmaking
First seen in a Shaw Bros. pic, the re-modeled flying guillotine returns in this superb fighting fantasy that is also titled MASTER OF THE FLYING GUILLOTINE VERSUS THE ONE-ARMED BOXER.
A non-Shaw, independently-produced production, this delivers everything a martial arts fan could want.
Director Jimmy Wang Wu, who also stars as the One-Armed Boxer, gives the fight sequences enormous energy and invention and layers in a little sadism when necessary.
The electronic, 70's-style score brings a surreal quality to the film.
Kang Kam as the bushy-browed "Master" is superb, making us believe that he is an old man with a lethal handicap.
Numerous other Shaw and Wang Yu regulars pop up, too.
The flying guillotine itself is more functional and exciting to watch than before. The head-ripping it performs is adroitly staged.
Although BEACH OF THE WAR GODS is my favorite pic of Jimmy's, this is, nevertheless, perfect.
A non-Shaw, independently-produced production, this delivers everything a martial arts fan could want.
Director Jimmy Wang Wu, who also stars as the One-Armed Boxer, gives the fight sequences enormous energy and invention and layers in a little sadism when necessary.
The electronic, 70's-style score brings a surreal quality to the film.
Kang Kam as the bushy-browed "Master" is superb, making us believe that he is an old man with a lethal handicap.
Numerous other Shaw and Wang Yu regulars pop up, too.
The flying guillotine itself is more functional and exciting to watch than before. The head-ripping it performs is adroitly staged.
Although BEACH OF THE WAR GODS is my favorite pic of Jimmy's, this is, nevertheless, perfect.
- fertilecelluloid
- Jan 16, 2004