L'île de la bête

The complex plot, such as it is, was already covered by other reviewers. I'll try to add some unique points...

There seem to be many titles for this film. I've already come across Clans of Intrigue 2', 'Legend of the Bat' (which is how this is broadcast on El Rey Network), 'Bat Island Adventure', and 'Bat Island Adventures'. The first Clans of Intrigue, which I have not yet seen, is also listed as Legend of the Bat on IMDb. All very confusing.

If you enjoy over-the-top martial arts and/or fantasy, this is worth a look. I jacked up my rating since it deserves higher than the current 6.6. But I do recommend it, goofy and confusing plot aside. If you liked Full Moon Scimitar or especially The Delightful Forest, give it a try.

A little film history perspective, completely my own theory. There is a classic 'old dark house' film from 1930, The Bat Whispers, which falls into a genre I'd call Fantomas, basically about a mysterious (masked) psychopathic 'emperor of criminals', a legend within his own world, and the attempts to stop and unmask him. There are some distinct similarities between these two movies, including the title and title character, which makes me think that the filmmakers of Legend of the Bat were aware of The Bat Whispers, or of one of the remakes.

As far as I know the earliest of the genre was the silent serial Fantomas (a French classic) by Louis Feuillade from about 1913, based on popular novels. I believe his Judex was a similar story, and was remade in 1963 by Georges Franju (Eyes Without a Face). Franju made at least one more film in this genre, Nuits Rouges (1974).

Legend of the Bat involves a hero played by Ti Lung trying to find the mysterious Bat Island in order to help friends and solve mysteries, and solve the riddle of the masked Mr. Bat.

This is a fairly entertaining sequel to Chu Yuan's Clans of Intrigue, but is not as engaging as the original. There is some really beautiful, Suspiria-esque use of lighting, and some great sets. Most of the leads do a solid job, and Ti Lung is good as always. However the movie drags in too many irrelevant characters (even by Chu Yuan standards), and Ti Lung's character, the only important hold-over from the first movie is largely eclipsed by other characters. It's solid stuff, but no Magic Blade.

This is the sequel to a utterly brilliant Chor Yuen film, starring a cheery, investigative Ti Lung called CLANS OF INTRIGUE . Both are involved in this, as are most of the cast of the previous film, including some who had died in it , but are now in different roles.

It continues the story of the utterly wild, fast and furious first part directly, and the opening credits contain flashbacks to the first episode. This film is possibly as equally wild, but not as fast or furious.

... in fact it has moments of tedium, and boredom inducing drawn out events that the other part totally avoided.

And then there's the usual barrage of quick edited events and exposition that confound the viewer into exasperation.

Some of the (not so) special effects are rather dire , such as the burning boat. However the cinematography within the boat is lavish and impressive, as we would expect from such a talented director and production crew & company such as Shaw Brothers.

The fights are well staged , but not as satisfying or imaginative compared to the 1st film; which has to be stated is stunning.

It is certainly worth a watch, and has memorable moments, while many fans of it claim it is better film than Clans of Intrigue... it isn't, Clans of Intrigue is one of those untoppable films of its time, where everything worked perfectly within it , and everyone was at the height of their skills and inspired.

Chor Yuen & Ti Lung made many of these type of fantasy/swordplay films together, they are all good, some brilliant.

In some Ti Lung is a serious loner , in others such as this he is cheerful and playful. Whatever role he plays he is constantly excellent and I cant think of a single film I've seen him in where is gives a poor performance throughout the 1970s, into the 1990's.

He should seriously be seen as one of the silver screens greatest actors and one of the most charismatic and consistently exciting on screen martial artists.

Another in the endless wave of entertaining 'martial world' adventures from director Chor Yuen, here starring his old favourite Ti Lung. Lung teams up with another swordsman to visit the mysterious Bat Island, and en route the pair team up with various other characters, most of whom are hiding various secrets. The production values and action are as enjoyable as ever, but what really stands out here is that most of the action takes place on a couple of ships where the bodies keep on piling up, making this feel more like an adaptation of an Agatha Christie rather than Louis Cha novel at times. Yuen Wah and Wang Chung co-star.

Outlandish sets, garish lighting, a chartreuse pool of acid and the evil Mr. Bat, with his minions in red jumpsuits, capes and cute little bat ears. Oh, and the only kung-fu movie you'll ever see featuring an auction.

There are decent fight scenes, though too much time between them. This is not Ti Lung's finest hour, but it's a great example of Shaw Brothers excess. That said, I did enjoy it, but if you're after some good Ti Lung chopsocky, try The Magic Blade or Blood Brothers, both available in the Shaw reissue series by Celestial Pictures.