This film is supreme ridiculousness from start to finish. From the unbelievable spectacle of a monk uprooting a living tree in a sacred place, to Lin Chong AKA Panther( or Dunce) Heads pathetic character, attitude and (lack of) actions.
I wont relay the plot here, but its basically a frame up of Lin by the boss' wicked son Gao Yanei. Its an early chapter of the well known Water Margin saga. Other better films in the series by Shaw Brothers are the brilliant Delightful Forest, The Water Margin & All Men Are Brothers (in that order) , all are classics and highly recommended. Which makes this film even more disappointing.
The story makes no sense, there is a cringe of convolution in every scene and it's impossible to feel sympathy for Lin. It's as if he wishes his wife to be molested by rapeman Gao Yanei. How did Lin ever get to be a commander in the army with his utter lack of behavioural insight or the tactics of conspiracy & conquest ?
If the film is representative of the book , and the book is a faithful portrayal of the history , then the history is faked and the story a fudge. No one is that stupid, and the monk could have testified that 'fake mate' visited them that day, putting the matter to rest. Also, when entrapped Lin could have fought his way out, but instead stands there like a startled rabbit and takes a beating like some compulsive masochist
... and how come his wife is so utterly inept at Martial arts, even after being in hiding for a year with Lins Monk brother- who is the only other Martial Artist in this film with exceptional skills ?
There's so many more 'contrived' moments of illogic that to mention them all would give too much of the daft story away, and take longer to read than the film takes to watch.
The infuriatingly badly written story isn't helped by some laboriously stagey acting.
So, why a reasonable 6/10 ?
The direction is very good,including fabulous compositions and some great techniques. The locations and production is also great, and memorable- the later parts in the snow look superb.
While the most important concern for these types of films (for me) is the fight action, which is artfully choreographed and impressive for its time.. and still very enjoyable.
Unlike the other films in the series I wouldn't watch this again, even though I have watched the similar (and far better) Delightful Forest at least a dozen times in the last 35 years.
