Po xiao shi fen

Released in Taiwan 2/17/68, this historical drama tells of a young man on his debut as one of the guards of the local justice tribunal who must torture or kill the prisoners, even when the prisoners aren't guilty. Local star Peter Yang Kwan (FROM THE HIGHWAY; QUEEN BOXER) is magnificent as the naive and confused guard, expecially when he see the cynicism of his colleagues toward a female prisoner. He's not sure to be suitable for that kind of corrupt job, but he forget any doubt as he walk home at dawn, 'cause being the father of a newborn child he need that job. A bitter meditation about the ease people give up moral principles when they become part of a social system, and about the ease policemen become bullies (something I know so well). The prisoners' stories are told in flashback. No martial arts in this movie, in spite of the fact ther cast is mostly filled with Martial Arts actors like Peter Yang Kwan, Ma Chi (his uncle in the story), Tung Lam, Sun Yueh. A great Drama.