The Bells of Death

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!

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.

A great Shaw brothers version of an eastern western.

A trio of men ride across the landscape, stopping to ask a young wood cutter (Chang Yi) for directions. He obliges, but to thank him, they fire some arrows just for fun. We soon learn exactly what kind of men they are as they descend upon a nearby house, brutally murdering everyone in it before leaving, with Chang Yi returning to find his family slaughtered...

With revenge on the cards, Chang takes his mothers belled-bracelet and soon finds a master that can teach him how to fight. One of the many great things about Bells Of Death, is that unlike many other kung-fu movies of that era (and forever after it), there is virtually no training sequences when Chang meets his master. The old man simply nods and we jump forward in time to see the wood cutter out on the road, searching for the psychotic killers - who are quite clearly leaving a trail of body parts wherever they go!

Made in 1968, Bells Of Death definitely stands apart from many Shaw Brothers flicks of the time and more so the 70's catalogue. Its pretty amazing, shot beautifully with great performances from all involved; a brooding, intense revenge flick with wonderfully detailed costumes, make-up, and art direction. Some have pointed out that the film is a remake of the 1966 Western film, Nevada Smith starring Steve McQueen, and it certainly does have its similarities along with its blend of spaghetti-western, which in turn derives from the classic samurai movie. Directed by Yueh Feng, who has been directing since the 1930's with classics such as The Two Cavaliers, The Magnificent Swordsman, and The Golden Knight under his belt, there is very little to complain about with Bells Of Death. In fact, I'd probably say its one of his finest, and one of my favourite Shaw Brothers movies.

With a great cast (of its time) including a young Wu Ma and a brief appearance by an even younger Sammo Hung in the background, Bells Of Death highlights the fantastic talents of Chang Yi before he became more noticed for his outlandish and wihite-haired characters in the late 70's and early 80's independent Hong Kong and Taiwanese kung-fu flicks. It also stars the great Ku Feng, Shaw Brothers star of Kiler Constable, Clans Of Intrigue, and many more Hong Kong hits. He plays one of the killers, using a deadly axe as he takes no prisoners and thrives in killing anyone who gets in his way...

As mentioned, the cinematography is just gorgeous; wonderfully captured with some amazing lighting and camerawork thanks to Pao Hsueh Lieh. Having been behind a number of Shaw Brotehrs and Yueh Feng films, he went on to become a great director himself giving us classics such as Ti Lung's Kung Fu Emperor and Inheritor Of Kung Fu, as well as The Water Margin (ak Seven Blows Of The Dragon) and more. Its an incredibly stunning film!

The martial arts and swordplay action is surprisingly grounded for the most part, and beautifully done with an incredible amount of violence for its time. With limbs flying, impaling and even decapitations (done wonderfully), the film has many stunning moments of battle that will please even the most hardened kung-fu film fan and isn't shy on gore.

With tones of classic Japanese cinema running through it, director Yueh Feng delivers a fantastically dark revenge-thriller, that even now, at over 50 years old - still stands strong with its frenetic energy, suspense, shooting style and execution!

Overall: Wonderfully written, cleverly directed and beautifully shot, Bells Of Death is a stunning slice of Shaw Brothers cinema that deserves to be seen!