The Flying Dagger (1969)
Reviewed by: sharkeysbar on 2010-06-26
Summary: The Wire Flying Dagger
This Chang Cheh directed swordplay film from 1969 stars Cheng Pei Pei and Lo Lieh. It is not a bad film but a little slow and rather predictable, it isn't the best film for any of the above mentioned stars of Hong Kong film.
The story is the predictable good overcomes evil but with no new angle here as a fighting film turns into a love story. There are a few things that made this film less enjoyable, like a dagger flying along its wire and some less than average acting, bereft of emotion even during sword fighting to the death; oh you just killed my 3 brothers, oh well OK (well don't do it again!) and some amusing subtitling," he is an evil chap" for instance. Having seen better films with the 2 leading actors, such as Golden Swallow, this disappointed me a little.
Cheng Pei Pei gives a few of her withering stares which always look great but not even those stares can save the slow pace of the action, but there is tomato juice a plenty in the fight scenes.
I'd say this film is worth seeing but certainly not highly recommended, more to say that you've seen it.
Reviewer Score: 5