The Phantom Lute
Director: Tu Chong-hsun
Year: 1975
Rating:
5.0
An
unexpected film from Taiwanese actress Chia Ling. She along with Angela Mao,
Polly Shang-kuan and Hsu Feng were the top female martial art stars in Taiwan
during the 1970s churning out film after film. But other than a few seconds
near the end of the film, she performs no kung-fu - that is because she is
a ghost for most of the film. A revengeful ghost, but ghosts tend to go the
supernatural route rather than smacking people around. It is a bit of a letdown
as I was looking forward to some of her martial artistry, but it isn't a
bad film. A romantic ghost revenge tale. With three songs. It is produced
in Taiwan with director Tu Chong-hsun (A City Called Dragon) and has a few
Shaw veterans on hand in supporting roles.
Hsiao Feng (Chia Ling) and her father are
staying at an inn where she has to sing with her lute to pay for their rooms.
They make the acquaintance of Master Ku (Shih Feng), a young scholar studying
for his exams. Hsiao is offered to go sing for General Chao (Tien Feng) by
his servant Hsin (Wei Ping-ao) who provides the comic relief upfront. Chao
already has 20 dancing girls in his residence, but he wants more. First Chao
tries to do a Cosby by drugging her drink but when that doesn't work, he
comes at her with his sword. When she refuses to give up her chastity, he
kills her and has her body thrown into the furnace with her lute. But
that isn't the end of the story.
She contacts Master Ku as a green ghost
and asks him to help her gain revenge by performing a ritual. She is about
to toss Chao into the furnace when she is stopped by a minor God and told
that she first has to take her case to the legendary Judge Pao/Bao. A little
difficult for a ghost but she gets Master Ku to transport the burnt lute
with her inside to the town where Pao sets up court. Chao tries to stop him,
but Ku has a ghost on his side. Then Chao is able to pay a Taoist priest
(Chiang Kuang-chao) to come do his thing. None of this is particularly exciting,
but it is different and Chia Ling makes for a fine ghost. It is up on YouTube
with subtitles though not in the best condition.
