(Review originally written at 12 January 2008)

This is a pretty original and refreshing genre movie and not just for its time. Of course the concept alone of having a one-armed swordsman as the main character in a Hong Kong martial arts movie is already original and refreshing on its own. But also the whole handling and development of the storyline is great and refreshing. It's not just some mindless chopping in this movie.

I must admit that in this case I liked the 1995 remake "Dao" even a better as movie. It had a better storyline, better emotions, better villains, better fight sequences and a better overall style. Nevertheless this movie is still a better one than "Dao" is. Qualitivly the story is a better told one and of course simply just because this movie was first and therefor automatically is also more original.

It's already an outdated and somewhat silly looking movie. It's a movie with some fake looking sets and beards and some horrible added sound effects. Also the blades and blood are obvious fakes. The movie on its own is pretty violent and graphic but because of its fake look its nothing too shocking or impressive. It also is not like its laughable it just makes the movie look outdated.

The fights also aren't ever really long one's but they are really well choreographed and makes it very enjoyable to view for the fans of the genre. Toward the end the action of course starts to kick in even more. It's also true that the movie gets even better by then.

This just is no Hollywood movie, so the editing and camera-work might seem a bit off to some but this is of course all part of the Asian style of film-making. Not that I'm a particular great fan of it all though. In some things Hollywood movies are just better, mostly when it comes down to the technical things behind film-making.

A great and original movie within its genre!

9/10

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(Review originally written at 15 October 2006)

Guess this movie is a case of; you'll either love it or hate it. A vampire movie set in China, combined with Kung Fu elements might definitely not be just everyone's cup of tea. It's an highly unusual mixture of different genre elements, with as a result an highly unusual and original Hammer movie. I just love how the movie combines the different elements and how it works out in the movie.

By right this movie can definitely been seen as a Kung Fu movie, rather than an horror. The movie is filled with many spectacular and great choreographed fighting sequences and most definitely lays its emphasis on the action rather than the story or horror themes of the movie. The movie is also made from the period when Asian Kung Fu movies were popular in the West. Hammer tried to jump on the bandwagon with making this movie. It's an unique experiment from the Hammer studio's that might shock/disappoint some Hammer fans but pleasantly surprise others as well, such as me.

The movie is shot entirely on location in Hong Kong, which definitely helps to set the right mood and atmosphere. Most Hammer movies are usually studio work, so in that way it already makes this movie an unique one.

Like most Roy Ward Baker movies, the movie and its sequences are very well build up. It provides the movie with some unforgettable and impressive sequences and moments. The story on its own is to be fair not really that impressive or even clear enough but the build up and style of it all is great. So yes, the movie is definitely a case of style over substance but in this particular case, I really didn't mind.

Normally Peter Cushing is an enrichment for every Hammer movie. However in this case I'm not too sure about it if his character Van Helsing was completely required. After all, this is a Kung Fu movie. No place for Van Helsing's wooden stake here.

The movie might at first seem a Dracula movie but in fact the character of Dracula plays a very little part in the movie, only at the beginning and the end. No wonder Christopher Lee declined this movie. The real main villains of the movie are the 6 vampire warriors. The one's that try to stop them are Van Helsing and his son, a rich noble woman and a family of Kung Fu experts, who each have their own specialty and weapons (a bow, knives, swords, etc.). The movie is basically a traveling movie in which every now and then they are being attacked. It does make this movie a rather simple one but it perhaps is this same simplicity that makes this movie such a lovable and great one to watch.

The fight sequences are truly awesome and amazingly choreographed and brought to the screen. The sequences however last a bit too long and there also are a bit too many of those sequences present to keep the movie entirely original and surprising. This is perhaps my only beef with the movie.

I would love to see a Quentin Tarantino remake of this movie.

9/10

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