A Touch of Zen (1971)
Reviewed by: danton on 2002-01-03
3 hr long martial arts wuxia classic from the early seventies, shot in Mandarin and directed by King Hu. The movie that helped create many of the conventions still used today in this genre. Does the film hold up to its legendary reputation? I think so. Despite the fact that the extended swordfight scenes are somewhat slow and cumbersome compared to the acrobatics and thrill offered by later movies from the early nineties, they are nevertheless gripping, once you get used to the different way they are presented (less wires, heavy use of trampolines, brief clashes alternating with frozen poses and stares, the latter somewhat reminiscent of Japanese Samurai movies). In fact, I thought King Hu did a great job experimenting with some unusual camera techniques and editing tricks: the fights are often seen from an observer position and hence intentionally obscured by trees/bushes/walls or just slightly out of frame, POV shots often feature jump cuts leaving out one element of an attack sequence, and shots of the environment (i.e. rustling grass, shadows moving over rocks/bamboo etc.) are intercut throughout, thereby creating a tense atmosphere of foreboding that is more effective than seeing the actual body movement itself. Highlights include a thrilling fight in a bamboo forest and the final climactic showdown (involving a very young Sammo Hung as one of the 2 sidekicks of the evil commander) which lasts for about 20 minutes and morphs from straight action to an almost psychedelic climax.

The movie seems to start as a typical Chinese ghost story, but then turns into a straight action drama centered around political conflicts and prosecution/corruption during the Ming dynasty and then finally moves almost into the realm of mysticism. Peter Nepstedt in his excellent review on his Illuminated Lantern site has outlined how this corresponds to a shift from Superstition (Taoism) to Politics (Confucianism) to finally Religion (Buddhism). I recommend reading his review, which provides a good summary of the plot (with plenty of spoilers!).

The movie requires patience - it opens with a montage of gorgeous nature shots that last for a full 7 minutes before even a single word is spoken. And the the first serious fight does not occur until about an hour into the movie. But the beauty of the cinematography and the unfolding story make it well worthwhile.
Reviewer Score: 8