Xiao shi yi lang (1978)

Xiao shi yi lang: Directed by Yuen Chor. With Lung Ti, Li Ching, Tony Liu, Lily Li. Master kung-fu choreographer Tang Chia leads the king and queen of Shaw Brothers’ swordplay, Ti Lung and Lily Li, to the amazing “Deer Sword” and escape from the insidious maze-like “Toy Land”

“Wow! What did I just watch? Chor Yuen and Shaw Brothers produced one of their strangest wushu sword butt-kicking films. Actually make that the strangest out of bizarre. But since it is a unique film, I figure a review might add to the fun. I would not recommend to watch this film as a prime feature but perhaps on a rainy day. Xiao (Ti Lung) plays a lone fighter who plays by his own rules but happens to fall in love with Chen (Ching Li) who is the wife of Lien (played by Tony Liu). The movie is plenty of fight scenes, many mysterious out of the blue especially led by the impish Shiao (Wen Hsueh-Erh) who says she is a boy but of course, obviously not. It seems the fight is for the Deer Cutting Blade. But maybe that is just a mousetrap?nWe donu0026#39;t really know what is happening in a twisting maze of fighting including with zombie fighters and finally in a world of little people. Or maybe? Lily Li is sexy in her minor role as Lady Feng. The film has a nice light-spirited score, is full of colorful sets and costumes but sometimes I wonder who are the cameramen? One wonders what is the purpose of out-of-focus shots on the female stars. Itu0026#39;s a fascinating, but not quite absorbing venture into weirdness. But the fights and lightness of the film make one realize it is a bit out of the ordinary. This movie is really for wushu swordplay movie fans. Rating 5.5”