Asia-Pol Directed by Matsuo Akinori Written by Gamasaki Twao Hong Kong/Japan, 1967 Historically, not many non-Chinese directors had the privilege of working within the Shaw Brothers studio system. Unlike with major American studios, where American, British, Canadian and directors from elsewhere in the world can try to make a splash, Shaw Brothers was very much …
Golden Swallow (also known as The Girl With the Thunderbolt Kick) Directed by Chang Cheh Written by Hang Cheh and Tu Yun Chih Hong Kong, 1968 Who has never watched a film a second, third or even fourth time and only then come to understand some of its virtues which upon initial viewing remained hidden …
The One Armed Swordsman Directed by Chang Cheh Written by Chang Cheh and Kuang Ni Hong Kong, 1967 One knows exactly when it has happened. Any movie aficionado is familiar with that odd feeling which takes over when one has watched a film that manages to overcome its flaws and provide some solid entertainment despite …
The Twin Swords Directed by Hsu Tseng-Hung Script by San Kong Hong Kong, 1965 Few would debate that the single defining decade in the all too short history of the Shaw Brothers studio was the 1970s. The staggering amount influential films produced and released in that decade alone, films which made uncompromising impact upon release …