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Cast:
Ti
Lung
Yueh
Hua
Nora
Miao
Lin
Yun
Ching
Li
Ku
Feng
Chen
Si Jia
Action:
Tong
Gaai
Wong
Pau Gei
Producer:
Runme
Shaw
Director:
Chu
Yuan
Score:
  
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CLANS
OF INTRIGUE
AKA:
N/A
Year:
1977 Reviewer: Andrew
Saroch
Though
many directors have tackled the complex world created by
writer Gu Lung, few have fleshed it out with the kind of
panache that Chu Yuan brought to the task. Combining a keen
eye for visual magnificence with an ability to turn
potentially convoluted storylines into engrossing film-making,
Yuan's way of bringing the clandestine swordplay world to the
screen has always been watchable at the very least. 'Clans Of
Intrigue' once again utilises the Gu Lung staples of
fantasmagoria and intrigue, but this time focuses on a martial
arts 'whodunit' rather than the usual clan warring.
When
influential figures of the martial world are found poisoned by
a stealthy killer, there is naturally considerable worry among
the many clans. Further inspection reveals that the victims
were unwitting recipients of the 'Magic Water' of the highly
secretive Magic Temple sect. One of the leading warriors of
the sect corners master thief Chu Liu Hsiang (Ti Lung) and
accuses him of entering the temple and stealing the fabled
waters - Chu being one of the few men who could reasonably
have the skills to do it. Chu obviously pleads his innocence
and is given a short period of time to clear his name and
capture the real killer. Starting his investigations among the
various rivals in the martial world, Chu finds himself hunted
by the many enraged swordsmen who believe him to be the real
murderer. Chu uses his abilities more than once to escape his
would-be attackers and gradually begins to piece together an extravagant
plot that has long remained hidden by its
participants. As the identities of the numerous suspects begin
to be confused, Chu realises that he cannot trust anyone and
that he must rely on his own wits to get the answers he needs.
The uncovering of the real killer, alongside the revelations
of the people he has met on his investigations, leaves Chu
with a battle against the odds to survive and prove his
innocence.
Describing
this as a mixture of swordplay drama and Agatha Christie
thriller may sound crass, but it proves to be quite an apt
description of 'Clans Of Intrigue'. Obviously not all of the 'whodunnit'
conventions are on offer here, but there is enough
concentration on the expected investigation sub-plot to ensure
that this is an intentional mixture of these very different
genres. While the usual 'whodunnit' stories do retain some
realism for their framework, Gu Lung's work revels in the
surreal elements of the set-up and throws a multitude of weird
and wonderful characters into the fray. This is again the main
aspect of the film that may frustrate potential viewers; Chu
Yuan doesn't attempt to explain every plot strand and
labyrinthine detail, nor does he make excuses for their
incredulity. Even for veteran viewers, the production can
still be baffling and, when the narrative begins to get
convoluted, becomes a test of concentration. As motives become
cloudy and double-crosses happen in nearly every frame, it can
be easy to get lost in the intrigue and begin to lose
interest. The finale in particular loses excitement because of
the endless sub-plots and histories that get introduced.
'Clans
Of Intrigue' is hard work, but it is fairly easy to get sucked
into its baffling world. As was said, Chu Yuan fills every
frame with a sharp visual power that often makes the film a
pleasure to watch despite its faults. Ti Lung is again
excellent in another heroic role that absorbs all of the
charms and eccentricities that Gu Lung's protagonists often
enjoy. He is equally at home with his slightly more
light-hearted character here than he was with the sterner hero
of 'The Magic Blade'. With such a strong supporting cast
adding significant weight to Ti Lung's central performance,
'Clans Of Intrigue' is still a production of definite quality despite
its faults. However challenging - and at times
frustrating - this swordplay drama is, there's nonetheless
enough reasons to stay watching and endure to the conclusion.
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