The Bells of Death

Don't believe the last reviewer, or else you might find yourself missing out on a great "eastern" western. I rented the celestial remastered DVD of this movie and enjoyed the heck out of it. To think that the low star count given by the guy before me had me dreading this film: after seeing it I'm a bit upset at how a person can review this film with so little respect. It's unlike any of the other films made around this time, and it's so beautifully shot that the cinematography alone is worth your time. Made in 1968, this is easily one of the more brooding, unique swordplay films in the Celestial/IVL library. If you liked THE ASSASSIN and ONE ARMED SWORDSMAN, you'll like this film. The look is unique and the experience is a good one. Especially memorable are little flourishes: the director has a different take on the macho swordsman theme than the other directors in the Shaw stable, which makes the film a refreshing change of pace from Chang Cheh and Chu Yuan flicks. Worth a purchase? In my opinion, yes. Worth a look? Definitely.

Bells of Death is a classic Shaw Brothers production that I first saw in the early 90s when it was released on VHS in North America. I remember being amazed when I discovered that it was made in 1968...and now that I have the restored DVD version put out by Celestial I can fully appreciate how fresh it still feels. This might seem counterintuitive considering that the plot revolves around a man who devotes his life to avenging the murder of his family at the hands of bandits...a kung fu cliché if there ever was one. But while the concept was by no means original in 1968, it was also far from being stale. Add to that the creative cinematography, camera work, and set pieces and it becomes apparent why Hollywood is still trying to catch up to Hong Kong action films almost 40 years later. So while some people call this film completely derivative, I wonder why it hasn't been copied more. Maybe just due to its relative obscurity.

With the popularity of Tarantino's Kill Bill, his homage to Asian action cinema (the Shaw Brothers rip-off of the Warner Brothers marquee front and centre, the soundtrack almost directly lifted from films like Bells of Death) it might be instructive and entertaining for more people to watch these old Shaw Brothers' films. The candle fight scene at about the mid- point of Bells of Death is enough to justify hunting the film down. If Hollywood is going to strip mine old films to recycle ideas it could do much worse than recreating such brilliantly executed scenes.

Some tough folks arrive. And, for no reason other than the pleasure of being evil, they wipe out a family. However, they don't realize that one of them survived. This survivor soon after witnesses an amazing old man with a white beard and long hair wipe out a group of thugs--and he begs to be trained by the man. After training for years, vengeance is meted out to each of the three villainous murderers as well as their MANY henchmen. And through amazing sword skills and determination, the folks are defeated. Souds familiar? Well, this is, pretty much, the plot to "Kill Bill"--as well as quite a few of the Hong Kong martial arts films. In fact, it is "The Bells of Death"--made decades before most of these other films. But, despite the familiarity of the plot, it's a must-see for lovers of the genre because the fighting and choreography is so good--among the very best I've seen. There are also, thankfully, few 'wire foo' stunts--only at the end do you see a guy magically jump up to amazing heights--AND he fails!! I loved this touch as well as the nice pacing throughout. Clearly this is among the very best. No blows that don't even come close to landing, no silly characters and no silly story--just a well-made story of revenge...period.

In addition, the DVD print is GREAT--nearly pristine. And, fortunately, it is in Chinese with nice English subtitles--none of that crappy dubbing!! For lovers of the genre, it doesn't get much more exciting!

A great Shaw brothers version of an eastern western.

I am baffled about seeing all these high class reviews for this movie. True the early Shaw movies all the martial arts was a bit exaggerated. But this one the first actual fight scene is in the end of the movie. I guess it was okay but seen much better in most other early Shaw movies I have seen, and also much better in the Japanese ninja and samurai movies.

I was not expecting a deep story and good acting. I did not get that either. But I did expect some good martial arts. There this movie was a big let down for me.

Verdict: If you are seeing it for martial arts then choose another movie.