To Kill With Intrigue (Jian hua yan yu jiang nan, 1977)

I really didn't care for this one the first time I watched it...but a friend suggested I give it another try. She was right, it was worth it. This is an unusually dark and sorrowful chop-socky film for Jackie, and in his autobiography he makes a point about how miserable he was being stuck in Korea, in terribly cold weather, trying to film this 'love story' with an actress about 10 years his senior. Jackie's personal "pain" seems to infuse this film with its uniquely dark atmosphere, and it features one of the most unusual "heroines" I've seen in a kung fu film.

The story involves themes of betrayal, (obsessive) love, disfigurement...it's not always easy to watch. But it is a film that will stick with you if you give it a chance and watch with an open mind.

SUMMARY:

Overall rating: B An interesting film from Jackie's early Lo Wei years.

Droolworthiness: B The long wig wasn't particularly appealing on Jackie.

Slashiness: F

Action: B- Not bad for the time, but not particularly memorable.

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