Perils of the Sentimental Swordsman

Another Shaw Brothers movie for Ti Lung, this is actually the third in a series of SENTIMENTAL SWORDSMAN stories. I should note that I haven't seen the first two instalments in the series, although I understand that they're not required viewing as there's not really any back story in this movie.

What we get is a convoluted story - one of those ones in which seemingly every character is busy double crossing the others, nobody can be trusted, and there are double and triple agents - and a multitude of action scenes shot in the inimitable Shaw Brothers style. Ti Lung plays the titular hero who is sent undercover into the 'Ghostly Village', which is occupied by various thieves and bandits, in order to uncover an assassination plot in which a local prince is doomed to die.

Although this isn't a supernatural film there are some spooky moments in it, such as a ghostly figure flying through the trees. It's largely a grounded production although the outlandish costumes and sets remain as impressive as ever. The action is invariably focused around swordplay and while it's not quite top-tier Shaw quality, it certainly makes the running time fly past. Lung is effortlessly cool and I was particularly gratified to see Lo Lieh playing something other than the usual stock villain. It's a bit too confusing in places to be truly great, but it's still engaging viewing.