And, just like that, the coin-targeting trickshot is introduced! Now, a lot of people have complained and bellyached about what you have to sit through in order to get to the brutal killing in The Sword of Swords, but - come on, now - the bloodletting begins early on and it never stops, splashing gallons of the goopy red stuff on limbs, faces, and shirts throughout this epic.
Starring Jimmy Wang Yu, Tien Feng, and Li Ching, The Sword of Swords is another in a long time of forgotten (and underappreciated) wuxia films from the Shaw Brothers. Sure, you have to deal with a whole lot of infant crying before the actual revenge takes shape, but that’s what happens when your wife gets kidnapped and you’re left to care for a baby while blind at the same time. The wait is worth it as vengeance is completely Wang Yu’s as the blinded swordsman.
Wang Yu, already made famous from the heroics of One-Armed Swordsman, plays Lin Jen-shiau, a young scholar of martial arts, chosen to guard the titular Sword of Swords, a powerful weapon which has been passed down for over 1000 years from one clan to another. It is a duty not to be taken lightly and, as it comes with a warning, must never be used for personal gain or personal vengeance.
Unfortunately, a traitor, Fang Shi-shiung (spectacularly played by Feng Tien) in the clan wants the sword for himself and he will stop at nothing to get ahold of it, even if it means kidnapping and blinding Jen-shiau for a chance to wield it and become the top dog.
Written and directed by Kang Cheng, The Sword of Swords dazzles with the fight choreography as this sword can mow down dozens of men with one fierce swing. It can also knock entire armies off their feet. As a result, the film features some great choreography - even before the blinding of Wang Yu. It also has numerous scenes involving Wang Yu’s training after he becomes blind. With unique set designs and a spirited take on vengeance, The Sword of Swords comes together to create a fun, fairy tale-like chop socky adventure.
The film finds new life on the Shaw Brothers Classics, Vol. 1 from Shout! Factory, which includes 11 classic martial arts films from the famous Shaw Brothers' library, featuring some of their greatest stars Jimmy Wang Yu (One-Armed Swordsman), Cheng Pei-pei (Come Drink With Me), Lo Lieh (King Boxer), Ku Feng (The Five Venoms), and David Chiang (The Boxer From Shantung). Many of these films, like The Sword of Swords, are debuting for the first time on Blu-ray.
The disc also contains a new commentary from film Historian Brian Bankston and another with James Mudge, Veteran Hong Kong Film Critic. Whoosh. Punch. Kick. Chop.
Vengeance is Jimmy’s . . . again! Dive into the world of Martial Arts Mayhem with the release of The Sword of Swords!
Home Video Distributor: Shout Factory
Available on Blu-ray - June 13, 2023
Screen Formats: 2.35:1
Subtitles: English
Audio: Mandarin: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono; English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono
Discs: Blu-ray Disc; 11-disc set
Region Encoding: Locked to Region A
Jimmy Wang Yu had just exploded into superstardom as One-Armed Swordsman when he teamed with respected writer/director Cheng Kang for this tale of master martial artists vying for the title blade “a "weapon of exceptional brilliance." And with legendary martial arts choreographers Lau Kar-leung and Tang Chia directing the action, the result is a superb, flat-out adventure of intrigue, deception, and an abduction, delivering one battle after another until it culminates in an amazing all-out slaughter.
Video
Presented in a 2.35:1 aspect ratio, The Sword of Swords gets its hands bloody and never once rinses its sword as beauty is birthed in this same blood, all with its audience in mind. The poetry on display comes through in the lush fields, the crispness of the interiors and the haunting exteriors, and the sudden violence which echoes throughout the film, including its big finale in which a lone figure takes down all manner of soldiers. Black levels are strong throughout, bringing out nice details in both the loud and quiet moments of this epic adventure. The night scenes included here are truly rich with layers.
Audio
For this movie, the audio offered is a Mandarin Mono DTS-HD Master Audio With New Subtitle Translation, as well as an English dub. Everything is front-loaded and works to create a pleasant home viewing experience throughout.
Supplements:
Commentary:
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There is a new commentary from James Mudge, veteran Hong Kong film critic, which is quite detailed and another from Brian Bankston.
Special Features:
Included on the disc are the following supplemental items:
- NEW Audio Commentary With James Mudge, Veteran Hong Kong Film Critic At easternKicks
- NEW Audio Commentary With Film Historian Brian Bankston (Cool Ass Cinema Blog)
- Original Theatrical Trailer
- Celestial Trailer
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Composite Blu-ray Grade
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MPAA Rating:
Runtime: 111 mins
Director: Kang Cheng
Writer: Kang Cheng
Cast: Jimmy Wang YuPei-Pei ShuChung-Hsin Huang
Genre: Acttion | Drama
Tagline:
Memorable Movie Quote:
Distributor: Shaw Brothers
Official Site:
Release Date: August 23, 1968
DVD/Blu-ray Release Date: June 13, 2023
Synopsis: A nameless swordsman sets out to claim the title of King of the Swords. He must defeat hordes of challengers, and even runs afoul of a cunning seductress.
