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迎春閣之風波 (1973)
The Fate of Lee Khan


Reviewed by: MrBooth
Date: 02/24/2023

After the epic A TOUCH OF ZEN King Hu returned to what he knew best for a smaller scale film - inns, intrigue and feisty fighting females.

The film feels a bit smaller in scale than DRAGON INN because it mostly takes place inside the inn - there are far fewer scenes of Taiwan's rugged beauty. On the other hand the cast is enlarged, e.g. by a quartet of kung fu waitresses.

The film is divided into two halves, the first featuring a depiction of life in the inn and introducing various characters. This part is quite light-hearted. Then Lee Khan arrives and the film shifts into a different phase. The customers are kicked out and Khan's retinue begin interrogating the staff to look for any rebel tendencies.

The film doesn't actually do a particularly good job of convincing us that Lee Khan needs to be defeated, he seems like an educated man who takes a dim view of the corruption of local officials. He can be a little ruthless, but he doesn't seem especially evil or despotic. The film places us firmly on the side of the rebels though, so I guess the fact they want Lee Khan gone will have to do.

(https://the14amazons.co.uk/r35392-The_Fate_of_Lee_Khan)

Reviewer Score: 8

Reviewed by: bastardswordsman
Date: 02/19/2002

A brilliant film with an impressive 'who's who' 1970s castlist. Click on the links section on the left-hand task bar for a webpage with cast photos from this and several other films starring Mao Ying.

Back to the film, it really was more than I expected, a really engaging espionage affair. The introductory scene of the restaurant is superbly handled, the director Hu allowing us plenty of time to get a feel for the place and the period in which the proceedings take place, as well an introducing us to some of the key characters.

The second part of the film deals with Lee Khan and his presence in the Inn, the Inn being kept central pretty much throughout the film. This leads to much suspenseful interplay, plotting and political manoeuvring amongst the various characters, all culminating in a violent martial conclusion.

Without question recommeded.


Reviewed by: jean yves
Date: 08/20/2001
Summary: Another King Hu Masterpiece

Dragon Inn broke box office records in Asia in 1967, and A Touch of Zen(1969) won a Grand Prix at Cannes. With The Fate of Lee Khan, King Hu further refined his vision of the martial arts film. The plot is very similar to his masterful Dragon Inn, in that it involves a myriad collection of travelers, soldiers, spies, and employees all interacting in a lonely, windswept desert Inn in Northern China. The employess of the Inn are mostly Chinese patriots, whereas the visitor Lee Khan and his entourage are Mongol officials plotting against the Chinese. The owner of the Inn and her staff are trying to get the map from the posession of Lee Khan and his sister without their knowledge, and without arousing their suspicions. Everyone is trying to put on the facade of politeness and civility, but you soon become aware that a lot of the people in the Inn are concealing ulterior motives, political and military ambitions, and superior martial arts skills--which of course all come out in the open at the finale.
Compared to the more available Shaw Brothers movies, King Hu's works stand in sharp contrast. While I do love the SB films, I would have to admit that, aside from some gems, the bulk of them are B-movies, cranked out quickly and with an eye towards the market. King Hu's films, however, are closer in spirit to Kurowsawa epics, with generally much better acting, plots and cinematic aspirations than the standard 70's kung fu movies. His works have very high production values (Lee Khan and his sister where actual historical antique costumes). The fight scenes aren't as complex as the later SB choreography, but IMO the fact that the plot and characters are so much better developed makes the action scenes very appealing. Also, unlike the gaudy wire-work of 90's KF movies, King Hu opted instead for much more use of trampolines, which to my mind looks much more natural and exciting.
Don't expect the fast pace and lightning fight scenes of more modern kung fu movies, but in my opinion King Hu more than makes up for this with simply superior filmmaking.


Reviewed by: STSH
Date: 01/24/2000

A little stagey and slow in places, when compared with slick modern HK action pics, but still very good, and well above the average of the time. I saw Tsui Hark's New Dragon Inn shortly after this one, and it seems very likely Hark was paying tribute to this film. The plot and settings are very much the same - political intrigues played out in a desert setting, with plenty of smouldering evil looks, swordplay and flying people.
In short, very much an Eastern Western. Worth a look.

Reviewer Score: 5

Reviewed by: hkcinema
Date: 12/08/1999

One of the legends of Hong Kong cinema, this film took over threeyears to complete. The plot involves an insurrection against Mongol rule. Lee Khan attempts to procure a map held by the revolutionaries. Political intrigue and combat ensues.

[Reviewed by Anonymous]