Swordplay wuxia films are one of those genres that’s kind of exclusive to Asian cinema. It’s also a very popular and beloved genre for fans because it combines incredible sword fights, beautiful cinematography, and intriguing characters. It’s certainly one of my favorite genres since I can tell that the filmmakers put a lot of effort into making it. Not only are there intricate sword fights, but films of the genre often have a lot of heart and exceptional stories. These films also usually have fantasy elements involving people flying around on wires and sometimes even shooting lasers from their hands. One of my favorite fantasy swordplay films is also one of the greatest movies to watch with an audience in 35mm: Bastard Swordsman.
Tell me that Bastard Swordsman is not an attention-grabbing title. Based on a popular TV series of the same Chinese title (the English title is Reincarnated), Bastard Swordsman was another classic Shaw Brothers production which dives into the fantasy swordplay genre and is often considered one of the strangest and most enjoyable films that the 80's has to offer.
Tell me that Bastard Swordsman is not an attention-grabbing title. Based on a popular TV series of the same Chinese title (the English title is Reincarnated), Bastard Swordsman was another classic Shaw Brothers production which dives into the fantasy swordplay genre and is often considered one of the strangest and most enjoyable films that the 80's has to offer.
Bastard Swordsman is about Yun Fei Yang (Norman Chu), a servant at Wu Tang, who’s often bullied and looked down upon by the other students partially because he’s (literally) a bastard. His only friend is the daughter of Chief Qing Song named Lun Wan Er (Leanne Lau), but his low rank continually separates them. It later turns out that Chief Qing Song (Wong Yung) had been secretly teaching Fei Yang martial arts for many years.
Qing Song then remembers his arranged duel with the chief from the Wu Di Clan, Chief Dugu Wudi (Alex Man), which he expects to lose. One of Qing Song’s most powerful students, Fu Yu Shu, suspects that Fei Yang is working with the Wu Di Clan, so Fu Yu Shu kills Qing Song, take over Wu Tang, and frames Fei Yang for his murder. Fei Yang escapes and seeks refuge at Wu Di where he meets his illegitimate mother. With the help of Lun Wan Er, his mother, and a Wu Di disciple, Fei Yang learns the Silkworm Skill and must defeat Fu Yu Shu in order to restore Wu Tang.
Qing Song then remembers his arranged duel with the chief from the Wu Di Clan, Chief Dugu Wudi (Alex Man), which he expects to lose. One of Qing Song’s most powerful students, Fu Yu Shu, suspects that Fei Yang is working with the Wu Di Clan, so Fu Yu Shu kills Qing Song, take over Wu Tang, and frames Fei Yang for his murder. Fei Yang escapes and seeks refuge at Wu Di where he meets his illegitimate mother. With the help of Lun Wan Er, his mother, and a Wu Di disciple, Fei Yang learns the Silkworm Skill and must defeat Fu Yu Shu in order to restore Wu Tang.
Just like most other films from the swordplay genre, it contains excellent fight scenes and cinematography. But the thing that separated Bastard Swordsman from other films of the genre is how the action combines wires and special effects throughout. A few of the effects and camera tricks are very creative and a few even made me wonder how they were done. Most of the other effects though fail to impress with its realism, but they’re delightful to watch in the same way that Ray Harryhausen’s effects are fun to watch. Sure, it results in quite an abundance of unintentional comedy, but the combination of special effects and wire-fu action creates one of those one-in-a-million kind of kung fu films which are just an amazing visual-spectacle.
Also when you combine the incredible action with the atmospheric Shaw Brothers sets, special effects, and that freaking awesome theme song, you get some deliriously exciting action scenes. Norman Chu definitely gets to show his skills in this film. It’s nice to see him as the main character this time as opposed to the antagonist. Bastard Swordsman isn’t just notable for its action though. As mentioned before, this movie is beautiful to look at with a pleasantly unique atmosphere. Not only is it nice to watch, but it’s also nice to listen to since this film has an excellent soundtrack.
Also when you combine the incredible action with the atmospheric Shaw Brothers sets, special effects, and that freaking awesome theme song, you get some deliriously exciting action scenes. Norman Chu definitely gets to show his skills in this film. It’s nice to see him as the main character this time as opposed to the antagonist. Bastard Swordsman isn’t just notable for its action though. As mentioned before, this movie is beautiful to look at with a pleasantly unique atmosphere. Not only is it nice to watch, but it’s also nice to listen to since this film has an excellent soundtrack.
My eyes are always glued to the screen whenever I watch this movie. The biggest praise that I can give Bastard Swordsman is that there’s not one dull moment in this film. It’s a wonderfully fast-paced film with excellent action scenes and it’s nice to see characters in a martial arts movie with some interesting character development. It’s incredibly engrossing both visually and storywise. I’m proud to say that one of my favorite movies involves a man who turns into a human silkworm.
*I first saw this movie at the New Beverly and it was probably my favorite experience watching a movie there.
Images from Listal and HK Cinemagic
*I first saw this movie at the New Beverly and it was probably my favorite experience watching a movie there.
Images from Listal and HK Cinemagic