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Starring
:
Wang
Yu
Chiao
Chiao
Tien
Fong
Pan
Ying Tze
Action
:
Liu
Chia Liang
Tang
Chia
Producer
:
Run
Run Shaw
Director
:
Chang
Cheh
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ONE
ARMED SWORDSMAN (1967)
Reviewed
by Andrew Saroch
Few
films have had the impact on Hong Kong cinema that 'One Armed
Swordsman' can boast. Not only did it herald an era of the
new-wave swordplay film, but it also made Wang Yu into a
superstar and an icon of the Jade Screen while helping Chang
Cheh's career to truly ignite. This beloved classic has a
reputation that has stretched over three decades and
influenced a plethora of later productions. It is therefore
intriguing watching this landmark film after 30 years later
and appreciating its place in the history of Eastern cinema.
Feng
Kang (Yu) is a quiet, yet earnest pupil of a legendary
swordsman's school. Because of this humble and introverted
nature, Feng finds himself mocked by his contemporaries and
constantly bullied from day to day. After finally reaching
breaking point, the young swordsman decides to leave the
school, but is followed by a gang of his tormentors and
confronted in a snowy wilderness. The ensuing showdown sees
Feng easily defeat his opponents with his superior skills, but
a shocking altercation sees his arm severed. Just managing to
get away, the seriously injured man collapses and looks sure
to die. Thankfully he is saved by a kindly woman who gradually
nurses him to health and helps him to adjust to his
disability. In time, the woman offers Feng the gift of a
special sword fighting manual and after years of study he
becomes are near-invincible one armed swordsman. This prowess
comes in useful when a villainous swordsman targets Feng's old
school with the intention of ruling the martial world. It is
Feng Kang then who must protect those who once hated him and
save his master's life from the dreaded killer.
On
paper, the narrative doesn't appear to be anything out of the
ordinary, but when put into its historical context, it's easy
to understand 'One Armed Swordsman's importance. With a
definite nod towards Japan's great Chambara films, director
Chang Cheh creates a mature and monumental swordplay classic.
The first skill is Cheh's acceptance that the plot is
extraordinary and therefore the superheroics that follow seem
strangely realistic. Even the ludicrous scene of Wang Yu
losing an arm is filmed in a very powerful way; the effective
surroundings and genuine drama validate this pivotal moment.
It's
fair to say, though, that not all of 'One Armed Swordsman' has
aged well. Although groundbreaking in 1967, the actual sword
fighting action looks too staged to modern eyes and never
really excites in the way it should. Perhaps some may also
find the aforementioned moments of drama a bit too incredible;
certainly to Western eyes it is somewhat histrionic.
Nonetheless there's plenty to recommend it beyond the
historical significance. Wang Yu has never been better than as
the troubled hero and his performance is nicely understated at
times. Yu's inexperience is never an issue in the lead role
and Feng Kang is successfully made into a sympathetic hero.
Without any argument, 'One Armed Swordsman' is therefore a
quality swordplay film that has much to offer to viewers
today.
Rating:
 
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