A real messed-up movie that has little point. Good sword fights, but ultraviolent and therefore arouses both pity & disgust. But the ultraviolence is so minor compared to the uncomprehensible plot, which is still a nice way to put it. Nothing is ever clear, and although I haven't read the novel by Gu Long, I don't think this adaption did much justice to it. See it only for some decent action.

1993 is my favorite year for HK cinema (and for film in general, since Chinese movies are all I watch). It is the year when more martial arts movies came out than any other year in the decade. Some of the biggest titles in HK history, including Fong Sai Yuk, Tai-Chi Master, Bride With White Hair, City Hunter, East is Red, The Heroic Trio, Once Upon A Time in China 3, Farewell to My Concubine, Iron Monkey, as well as other kung fu honorable mentions like Barefood Kid, OUATIC 4, A Warrior's Tragedy, Blade of Fury, All Men Are Brothers, White Lotus Cult, Sam the Iron Bridge, Justice My Foot, Sword Stained With Royal Blood, Bride With White Hair 2, Fong Sai Yuk 2, Eagle Shooting Heroes, Flying Dagger, Green Snake, Executioner, Holy Weapon, Kickboxer, Legend of the Liquid Sword, Magic Crane, Last Hero in China, & countless others, all came out in the same year. Compared to some of those, Butterfly Sword may not deserve to rank in the top half.

[4/10]