Maengsu

1969 Hurricane Sword or Men Zoo or Birds of Prey or A Fierce Animal 1969 South Korea "Sword of the Master" is the title on the video. An old guy runs away from assassins and is saved by a blind girl. Her character is very similar to The Red Bat Japanese movies. She even has a similar sword. She starts to explain her life story to him then there is a confusing flashback. He reminds her of her Uncle Louie who died by the sword. So our female swordfighter's goal is to find the killer of her uncle and her long lost mother. There is more to the drama than that as it also involves her sword teacher but like the fights the drama isn't going anywhere. In 1969 most movies had poor fight sequences especially with swords. Yet some movies had excellent fights. This is not one of those movies. The fights are cheats shot too close, too far, or leave too many frames to the imagination. Curiously the stunt men handled katanas and handled them well. The actors clearly did not know which end of a sword to hold. This is the oldest South Korean martial arts movie I have ever come across and it was by accident. I have tremendously enjoyed the country's recent output. The roots are not that interesting, it seems they just copied all the other movies of the era, yawn. I am almost certain Sonny Chiba is not in this movie.

"Hurricane Sword" is about a girl that was blinded in an accident triumphing in swordplay. On her way, she hears about the mother that left her behind is still alive from her uncle. Alas, a tragedy happens and the heroine of the film wants justice, and tries to save her friends from Prostitution and a gang of mad swordsmen, led by no one other than Sonny Chiba.

Pretty well done film and a likable heroine. You can actually feel for her and she is more human than a lot of Hollywood heroines. Though she is blind, the woman tries not to let that get into her way of her meaningful quest.

I recommend you sit down and watch this film. You may just like it.