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Another Shaw Brothers collaboration between novelist Gu Long, director Chor Yuen and actor Ti Lung, this third installment of the Chu Liu Hsiang film series is actually a follow up to “Legend of the Bat” (1978) which started with “Clans of Intrigue” back in 1977. The English title is rather misleading since it has nothing to do with Chu's “The Sentimental Swordsman” film series which starred Ti Lung as Little Flying Dagger Li, a different character altogether.

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Also by adapting the story from the fifth novel “Phantom Manor” of another Gu's wuxia series “The Legend of Lu Xiao Feng” and not from “The Legend of Chu Liu Hsiang” series itself, this further makes things more complicated. Chor adapts the story but replaces the protagonist Lu with Chu Liu Hsiang instead. However, the Chinese title which translates as “Chu Liu Hsiang:...

Guest reviewer Lee Broughton offers an assessment of one of the Shaw Brothers’ quirkier and more idiosyncratic historical martial arts efforts: an action-packed Meng Hua Ho wuxia flick from 1976 that concerns an irredeemable killer sent on a mission to save the life of a despicable and hated tyrant. Outstanding fight choreography, unusual weaponry and unpredictable plot twists help make this frenetically paced show a winner.

The Dragon Missile

Region B Blu-ray

88 Films

1976 / Color / 2.35 / 82 min. / Fei long zhan / Street Date, 26 Mar 2018 / £12.99

Starring: Lo Lieh, Tony Liu, Nancy Yen, Feng Ku, Terry Liu, Chih-Ching Yang, Sha-Fei Ouyang.

Cinematography: Wai-Kei Cho

Film Editor: Hsing-Lung Chiang

Art Director: Chan-King Sam

Original Music: Fu-Ling Wang

Written by Kuang Ni

Produced by Runme Shaw

Directed by Meng Hua Ho

Guest Review by Lee Broughton

When his own physicians fail to provide him with any relief for the pain caused by the gigantic festering boil on his back,...

Guest reviewer Lee Broughton returns with coverage of two well-regarded wuxia films (period martial arts movies set in ancient China). One is an intense action flick from the Shaw Brothers Studio that places a heavy emphasis on bloody and gory depictions of swordplay. The second is a wuxia film with a difference: rather than fancy sword moves or flamboyant punching techniques, the mystical fighters attack each other with incantations and magical musical instruments.

One-Armed Swordsman

Region B Blu-ray

88 Films

1967 / Color / 2.35 / 111 min. / Du bei dao / Street Date, 26 March 2018 / £12.99

Starring: Yu Wang, Chiao Chiao, Ti Tang, Chih-Ching Yang, Feng Tien, Yin-Tze Pan, Feng Ku.

Cinematography: Yuan Chen San

Film Editor: Chiang Hsing-Loong

Art Director: Ching-Shen Chen

Original Music: Foo-Ling Wang

Written by Cheh Chang, Kuang Ni

Produced by Runme Shaw

Directed by Cheh Chang

Reviewed by Lee Broughton

The bandit leaders Long-Armed Devil (Chi-Ching Yang) and Smiling Tiger (Ti Tang) are determined...