Deadend of Besiegers
Reviewed by Glenn Satele
Director: Cheung Siu-wai
Stars: Yu Rong Guang,
Cynthia Khan, Yu Hai
Year: 1992
This period piece/martial arts film is really
a treat. "Deadend of Besiegers" was made and released during the
Wuxia/wire-fu boom in Hong Kong, but is totally different in mood and style
from films like "Once Upon a Time in China" or the "Swordsman" series.
For starters, there is little wirework used in the fight scenes. Also
(because it was filmed in Mainland China) it showcases beautiful locales and
breathtaking images like a towering waterfall and greenish valleys.
The no-nonsense storyline is refreshing too. Taking the previous descriptions
into context, this film reminded me very much of Jet Li's "Shaolin Temple"
trilogy. As a matter of fact, Yu Hai and the eagle claw villain from
"Shaolin Temple" (also the lead villain in other Jet Li films like "New Legend
of Shaolin" and "Fong Sai Yuk II") are featured here.
Despite the cover of the DVD (with the prominence of Cynthia Khan), Yu Rong
Guang is the star here. He plays Wuwechimatao (or Wu for short), a
Japanese warrior who is credited (at least in this movie) for inventing karate.
Cynthia Khan plays an expert in "Dog-Fist"(!!!) and Yu Hai is her father.
There is excellent martial arts action, enjoyable interaction between Yu
Rong Guang and a cute little girl who plays Cynthia's sister (the little
girl is one of the rare non-annoying HK child-actors), and Cynthia herself
looks very good. I wish she appeared in more period films.
It's undiscovered (and unexpected) films like this that keep me interested
in Hong Kong Cinema and wanting to search for more gems like "Deadend of
Besiegers".
My grade for the film: 8.0