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VENGEANCE
(1970)
A.K.A.
- Kung Fu Vengeance
Reviewed
by Scott Napier
During
the 1960's, Shaw Brothers started off to produce swordplay
starring Cheng Pei Pei but now as this hits the 70's, we will
now see a big change in genre. Ti Lung and David Chiang star
in their second film although not in any scenes together
except from the flashbacks and possibly the first Shaw movie,
which will probably not appeal to many fans as violence is
taken a big step forward with eye gouging and heavy bloodshed.
The
Plot is typical and simple... Set in 1925, starting of with Ti
Lung's character 'Youlo' as a Chinese Opera Player, who
catches his wealthy boss flirting with his wife. Youlo
delivers a physical warning to his boss at his Kung Fu School
and simultaneously smashes his signboard. He becomes so
furious with the insult that he ambushes and kills Yulou with
the help of gangsters plotted around the town. His brother 'Xiaolou'
is determined for revenge.
If
you are looking for 'Old School Kung Fu Action', then this is
not the movie for you as all of action scenes are rather
discontented with a lot of knife fighting. Occasionally the
unarmed fight is squeezed in the movie and makes it ridiculous
as they are in that style the West sometimes choreograph
(rather poor); uninteresting is what I will say. However, this
is Chang Cheh's best directed film in terms of camera angles
and well presented shots - For an example; The scene where Ti
Lung’s character Yulou's death takes place, it intercuts
with shots from the opera and also how far David Chiang's
character is taken as a revenger.
There
is better than 'Vengeance' but the only thing that will
interest viewers is Chang Cheh's editing and camera work, the
rest is up to you on whether you can put up with another
revenge story. Also funny to note that most of the music
composed by John Barry is ripped from the 1969 Bond film 'On
Her Majesty's Secret Service' starring George Lazenby.
Rating:
 
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