One of the characteristics of B&S Productions is that their directors can have more chance to direct their DV Productions. Take Philip KWOK Wai-chung, who just directed 'There's a Ghost in the Boy's Room' (1999). After the near failure of this film, he takes the reins again for 'Body Guard for the Dead'.

'Body Guard for the Dead' starts with HUNG Tin-ming who is not satisfied with his present job as an Artisan for chopping grass. He then resigns his old job and picks up a new one -- as a night shift bodyguard for the morgue in a hosptial. Meanwhile, three pretty young girls are killed by a man holding a butcher's knife, followed by some strange goings on. One time after Tin-ming pees, he opens the toilet door finds that he is in a totally different area seeing a guy with a butcher knife trying to kill a young girl. A few hours later, he receives that girl's dead body at the morgue. He tries to report the case to the police but they take him for crazy him crazy and ignore his warning. Then another girl is killed by the butcher again ......

'Body Guard for the Dead' has got the basic structure for a decent film. It is a story which combines serial murder and ghosts. The development of the case is okay. It could have been improved if the climate for the morgue was made more ghastly, as it is a bit sloppy.

As for character development, the relationship between Ming (Sherming YIU Lok-yee) and Tin-ming should have gone into more depth, as it skims the surface and is not entirely convincing.

The casting of HUNG Tin-ming is fine, although his performance shows his ignorance. Ming's character is suited to Sherming, despite it being a bit stereotyped. Having said this, the characters of Johnny TANG Siu-chuen and the unknown inspector in-charge are far from satisfactory.

Johnny TANG plays a police constable. His long hair makes it hard to believe that he is a cop. In addition, his character is too simple, too un-emotional and unatural. There should be more elaboration on the relationship between him and his sister and his character appears bland and becomes rather annoying.

As for the unknown inspector in-charge...... by some distance the most annoying 'character' in the whole film. The actor's confidence in his acting quickly turns into over-confidence. With his bad timing, wooden acting and a strong non-Hong Kong accent leaves audiences not giving him the time of day. He is not suitable to be in front of the screen.

Philip KWOK's direction in this movie is at least a bit better than that in his previous picture. He has a better control and ideaof basic production skills, however, there is still a lot of room for improvement.

Body Guard for the Dead' can give you the whole structure of the movie, however, some of the casting is poor and this affects the overall performance of the movie.