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Cast:
Derek
Yee
Ling
Yun
Candy
Yu
Yueh
Hua
Fan
Mei Sheng
Ti
Lung (cameo)
David
Chiang (cameo)
Lo
Lieh (cameo)
Action:
Tong
Gaai
Wong
Pau Gei
Producer:
Mona
Fong
Director:
Chu
Yuan
Score:
 
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DEATH
DUEL
AKA:
The Death Duel Of The Tiger Claw
Year:
1977 Reviewer: Andrew
Saroch
Director
Chu Yuan once again takes full of advantage of writer Gu
Long's work, returning to the murky, cut-throat swordplay
world that is the centre of his novels. This time, David
Chiang's half-brother Derek Yee is given a chance to prove his
worth in the lead role and doesn't disappoint.
The
film opens with expert swordsman Yen Shih-San defeating his
bitter rivals to become the unrivalled master of the swordplay
world. However, just as the dust settles on his latest
victory, Yen is approached by a ruthless clan who inform him
that, until he defeats the legendary 'Third Master' he can
never claim the title of the greatest swordsman. Yen therefore
sets out to find the only man who now stands in his way.
Unfortunately, on arriving at the home of the 'Third Master',
Yen finds out that his new opponent has been dead for a couple
of weeks and his position at the height of the martial world
can never be truly proven. Meanwhile, a young wanderer - Ah
Chi - befriends a mute menial worker who helps him find work
and shelter. After a brief altercation, the young wanderer is
forced to work as a general labourer, though he once again
gains help from a new friend who takes him under his wing
alongside the aptly named Brother Mute. The stranger reveals
his true identity when he has to defend his new friends and announces
that, he is not 'Hopeless Ah Chi' as he has been
called, but the renowned Third Master. Now Ah Chi is hunted by
every swordsman or power-hungry clan in the land as everyone
wants to be known as the person who defeated the Third Master.
This means that Ah Chi's desire to remove himself from the
turmoil of the martial world can never be realised and,
eventually, he has to accept this daunting fact. The final
straw comes when one of the clans who were spurned by Ah Chi
target the woman he loves and challenge him to a decisive
showdown.
'Death
Duel' is a bleak, nihilistic swordplay film that embodies all
of the qualities that one expects from a Chu Yuan adaptation
of a Gu Long story. Conveying the martial world as a cold and
hate-filled arena is an excellent platform to start this
lavish production; by the end of the film, the viewer is fully
immersed in the complex atmosphere created. However, 'Death
Duel' is a more introspective swordplay film than is to be
expected and its focus is not just on the rivalries of the
martial world, but also the hopeless existence of the
swordsman. This theme was echoed in other Gu Long novels/Chu
Yuan films like 'Killer Clans', but here this aspect of the
narrative is more to the fore. As Ah Chi tries to escape his
fame he only gets drawn back into combat and inevitable
showdowns. This is not an uncommon theme in swordplay films,
but 'Death Duel' cuts away any other plot complications to
make this aspect the driving force of the film. The hunted
swordsman Ah Chi is well portrayed by a very young-looking
Derek Yee who of course would go one to become a superb
director. Added to this is a few enjoyable cameos from Ti Lung
(returning as his character from 'Magic Blade') and Lo Lieh
(as his 'Killer Clans' persona).
Although
'Death Duel' is not hindered by the convolutions of many
swordplay films of this ilk, but it still may not be to
everyone's tastes. This is a sombre film - which is no bad
thing - therefore those accustomed to the late 70s kung fu
comedies may be slightly disappointed. My main gripe is the
very linear progression of the plot; as soon as Ah Chi's
identity is discovered, nearly every successive scene seems to
reveal yet another challenger to his name. Along with this is
a fair quota of double-crossing that, while not at the same
level as some of Gu Long's stories, still verges on the
repetitive. Once again though, Celestial Pictures have
presented viewers with a visually stunning swordplay whose
qualities outweighs its faults. A film of definite quality
with a backbone of strong acting and well-designed action.
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