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Cast:
David
Chiang
Ti
Lung
Li
Ching
Ku
Feng
Cheng
Miu
Chan
Sing
Cheng
Kai Yeh
Guk
Fung
Cliff
Lok
Action:
Tong
Gaai
Yuen
Cheung Yan
Producer:
Runme
Shaw
Director:
Chang
Cheh
Score:
  
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HAVE
SWORD, WILL TRAVEL
AKA:
The Bodyguard
Year:
1969 Reviewer: Andrew
Saroch
The
Iron Triangle of Chang Cheh, David Chiang and Ti Lung tackle
another swordplay drama, though this time Chiang's and Lung's
well-shaped character types are slightly adjusted here.
Audiences are familiar with David Chiang as the cocky,
cheerful outsider who happily fights his way through any
problems, but his character in 'Have Sword, Will Travel' is
slightly more ambiguous in tone and is perhaps the ultimate
definition of an 'outsider'. The further twists in character
and theme will be expounded later - now there's the small
matter of the story to explain.
Every
year, Lord In transports a bullion of government gold across
China assisted by his formidable clan who also hail from the
appropriately named 'Invincible Village'. Although this is an
assignment that is full of danger due to the value of the
cargo, In has never disappointed his employers before as his
martial arts skills are seen as the best in the land - even
greedy bandits are not prepared to attack such a formidable
escort. This year, however, is different; Lord In has a
serious illness that has all but destroyed his martial arts
skills, though he has managed to keep this a secret from
nearly everyone. As a precaution, Lord In calls on the
services of famed swordsman Siang (Lung) to accompany his men
on the journey and hope that the bandits are unaware of the
serious turn that his health has taken. Unfortunately, the
notorious 'Flying Tiger Stockade' have heard the rumours and
see In's weakened state as an ideal opportunity to ambush the
convoy and steal the impressive cargo. The intervention of a
stranger sees matters further complicated, however, and
neither Siang or the Flying Tiger Stockade know whose side
he's really on. The man, Lo (Chiang), briefly demonstrates his
extraordinary skills to both parties creating differing
emotions on either side; Siang suspects him of being a
potential threat who may be allied to the enemy while the
Flying Tiger Stockade are keen to hire his services.
Siang's distrust is furthered when he notices his fiancée Piau
Piau falling under the spell of the highly skilled yet peculiar
newcomer. Although Lo constantly asserts that he
wants to help Lord In and refuses any reward, Siang is
gradually eaten up by jealousy as he fears Piau Piau is
falling in love with his rival. When the Flying Tiger Stockade
finally attack, this jealousy needs to be forgotten or neither
man will survive.
Although
the storyline of 'Have Sword, Will Travel' concentrates on a
well-developed, yet straight-forward heroes v. bandits plot,
it's fair to say that the main dynamic is the uneasy
relationship between Siang and Lo. As I touched on earlier,
Chang Cheh has given the character's a slightly unusual twist
in this somre drama; Lo is not the usual Chiang hero while Ti
Lung, while still the matinee idol, is a more flawed figure
than normal. For such a slight subversion of his traditional
characters, Chang Cheh deserves some extra credit - his
virtues as a director are something I'm always ready to
parade, but it's good to see him focus on more dramatic
tensions. Cheh also plays with the audiences' concept of who
the hero is; the opening frames seem to indicate that Ti Lung
will be the superheroic lead man, but Chiang's introduction
tips this on its head. 'Have Sword, Will Travel' is not
revolutionary, but contains some inventive touches that show
how versatile the genre can be.
This
is one of those films, though, where I cannot think of a major
flaw, but I still cannot commend it as with many other Shaw
Brothers' films. It perhaps becomes one of those films that's
easier to admire than be fully absorbed in; the narrative is
expertly constructed, but fails to be as involving as other
Chang Cheh epics. Nonetheless, 'Have Sword, Will Travel' is
aided by an intriguing David Chiang performance and a
scene-stealing turn by Ku Feng. Feng oozes menace while still
appearing calm and unwavered, creating a villain who is a
significant presence in the film. In retrospect, the final
ambush of the Flying Tiger Stockade may have been an
anti-climax considering how much potential Ku Feng had
generated. Whatever criticisms I may have for the film, it
remains a mature swordplay film with much to recommend it.
Fine performances, good cinematography and a well-paced
storyline - despite the difficulty on my part to pick out its
failings - and will offer most viewers a rewarding 100 minutes
of entertainment.
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