If someone tells me that they have had enough and now they have had enough of Jimmy Wang-Yu, they are not to be blamed. Cheng Pei-Pei, known as the "Master of the Flying Guillotine", was cool albeit in a funny way, but one will agree that it becomes very difficult to digest the awkwardly bloody "The Golden Swallow". Although the movie was made by the legendary Chang Cheh, it did not have the usual light mood but was packed with oppression and the overall mood of the movie was heavy which made it more difficult to watch.
The difference as an audience was as evident as that between John Ford's "She Wore A Yellow Ribbon" and "The Wild Bunch" by Sam Peckinpah. Both the movies were western classics with some common thematic factors. However, the way in which the movies were made and delivered created that world of difference.
One good point that can be said about "Sword of Swords", which released in the year 1968, was that the film had many familiar faces which we were used to seeing in Shaw Brother's wuxia movies. These included Tian Feng (see "Raw Courage" by Cheng Pei-Pei) and Huang Chung Hsin (famous for his role in Pei-Pei's "dragon Swamp) who played the lead negatives roles in the movie. The disappointments - Yeung Chi Hing (from "Rivers of tears" by Jenny Hu) and Ouyang Sha Fei (see "Sweet and Wild" by Li Ching) were completely wasted in the movie. The director of the movie was the father of the legendary director and choreographer Ching Siu-Tung, Cheng Kang.
After watching "Sword of Swords", one is compelled to feel that the role played by Li Ching was written to be bashed and beaten repeatedly, to help Jimmy's character get instigated and act on taking revenge!
In the film, Jimmy Wang-Yu is a member of a clan who is trying to get hold of the Sword of Swords. This sword was said to possess the strength of the Wind if used in a certain manner. This special power of the sword was shown in a hilariously choreographed scene.
The film basically comprises of scenes in which either Jimmy is resisting his fighting desire, or protecting the powerful sword against the bad guys, or getting beaten, or getting his family bashed up and his house getting burned.
However, he is the hero and heroes just doesn't seem to die! Therefore, even though Jimmy is blinded and is repeatedly stabbed, he just freezes in the snow and recovers with the help of a poor old woman!
Overall, the movie is neither funny nor witty to amuse the audience. Neither does the movie have an enticing plot. However, this movie will surely be liked and maybe worshiped by Chang Cheh fans, as the movie has is super-violent and has the ultra-male factor playing throughout.
My advice - try watching Chang Pei-Pei's films once more, just to get your sanity back! Providing useful articles, reviews and writings on movies and films online.
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