Reviewed By-Paul Cooke
Director : Chor Yuen
Scripted : Chor Yuen
Starring : Derek Yee , Ling Yun , Yu An-an , Lo Lieh ,
David Chiang , Ti Lung & Yueh Hua

When you’re a handsome young man in his early twenties and an expert swordsman , recognised by the title of Third Master , the world should be your oyster right !?. Not if your star Erh Tung-Sheng , as life in the martial arts fast lane proves to be a lightening fast reflex of day to day survival in this 1977 Shaw Brothers production ‘ Death Duel ’.

Another in the vast cosmic universe of ‘Wuxia’ or fantasy swordplay Martial Arts motion pictures Shaw Brothers style , but in this particular movie arena of Chinese folklore is a fabulous rendering of magical storytelling equally matched by incredible Action. Based upon the writings of Ku Lung it is no surprise how intriguing an adventure it is that unravels from mysterious opening to revealing finale , with all the transcendent attributes of secret clans and dark characters strewn between the bookends.

Erh Tung-Sheng first appears as a lone figure reliant on hand outs for food and shelter in exchange for his labour. A seemingly shy and reserved young man he is soon nicknamed Hopeless Ah Chi by prostitutes at a brothel , as he works to repay the kindness of a mute who gives him food from his employer the madame of the establishment. Here he meets with his future love interest played by Yu An-an as he displays his attributes of deference in defending her honour at being mistreated by a despicable paying client , which with non retaliatory bodily assault from a blade shows no sign of his true skills. The composure of his actions still brings attention to himself , and despite moving on under cover of night his acquaintance with Yu An-an as a pretty young disinclined lady of the night is shortly reestablished with far reaching consequence. Ah Chi is forced to display his skills in the martial arts and in so doing word travels through the underground that the Third Master may well be outed. Deftly defending Yu An-an and her family , that includes the mute who befriended him , Ah Chi is tricked by a family member who in turn is deceived by the lure of money into causing him to receive a lethal dose of bone poison. Far quicker than its vegetable growing counterpart this stuff gets to the marrow in just three days , which with swift turn of blade proves too long for life taking retribution upon Ah Chi’s arrogant inflictor.

With under seventy two hours remaining Ah Chi pledges his love to Yu An-an’s character and sets off to seek out the one person who may have a cure for the bone poison , all the while leaving himself vulnerable to attack as each hour passes by upon his journey. Hereon in the movie unleashes several fabulous cameo appearances that steal the show as the guile of Ti Lung and the skill of Lo Lieh , pulling a circular blade from his head wear to employ with all the procedure of a master surgeon , reveal themselves at a prominent moment along the way. The interaction of their martial artistry is joyous to behold and almost played out with a willing wryness from both participants , who may well have appeared just for the heck of it as a favour to Director supreme Chor Yuen.

Slipping into a fevered stupor Ah Chi chances upon an embroiled character who gives him some herbal tea. Ah Chi assumes he has chanced upon the herbalist and is in no condition to challenge that supposition as the altruistic man proceeds to take a knife to the badly suppurated arm of its inflicted bearer. This is a true audience splitting moment for the strong of stomach and the wish I hadn’t eaten before viewing crowd , as in all its unedited gory detail we are shown this bloody moment of invasive sinew stripping with eye opening clarity.

When Ah Chi revives several days have passed yet he has survived his ordeal , and in gratitude makes a promise to his saviour. The promise is one that has poignant and cataclysmic consequence to both men when they meet again in the near future !.

Ah Chi quickly returns home to tragedy which forces him to accept that he must reveal his true identity and take on the full responsibility of being The Third Master. The declaration brings forth the denizens of destruction in the shape of Yen Shi-San , of whom has sought to test his sword in declaration to the flagrance of being best swordsman , and the appearance of David Chiang as Yung Chien Lung. Driven mad by his life long dedication in becoming the unequalled martial arts master , Yung Chien Lung has remained in chained confinement by his clan leading sister until this day of confrontation. Upon release from his shackles his character , in the almost unrecognisable shape of David Chiang in a surprisingly convincing emotionless persona , effortlessly dispenses with all around him in an awesome display of moves with and without a weapon. Years of constraint relentlessly unleashed upon his own captors and family he is satiated and even though clearly no match for either Ah Chi or Yen Shi-San he disperses , leaving the two swordsmen to their own final showdown.

The film is deliciously littered with so many intricate plays that do align with other Shaw Brothers outings such as the equally splendid offerings of ‘ Killer Clans ’ , ‘ Clans Of Intrigue ’ and ‘ The Magic Blade ’, but without question the film stands alone as a viewing pleasure all its own to please even the most casual of viewer. The cameo from Ti Lung even has him once again personifying his applied guise of personal hero Jimmy Wang Yu , directly taken from his lead role in ‘ The Magic Blade ’. Other very interesting tidbits include the appearance of starlet Yu An-an as Ah Chi’s love interest as she was once the first wife of Hong Kong Action superstar Chow Yun Fat. Most interesting of all is the starring appearance by Erh Tung-Sheng aka Derek Yee who is in fact the younger half brother of Shaw Brothers own superstar David Chiang , who gets to briefly spar with the twenty year old newcomer in his memorable cameo as Yung Chien Lung. The undisputed Cool cameo has to go to Lo Lieh though for his all too brief appearance as a fellow master of the arts immersed in the trappings of anonymity is a real treat , from the moment he reveals himself with a tinge of wry dark humour to the shiny glimmering usage of his quite awesome circular bladed implement. All the components that make the movies such a magical experience all too infrequently come together at once , but with ‘ Death Duel ’ unquestionably all the magnificence of the awe inspiring Chi have come together in one fantastical collaboration. Star studded escapism that spans the test of time effortlessly , and a true testament to the glory days of the eponymous Shaw Brothers.

Presentation : Widescreen Ratio 2:35:1
Release : Celestial Pictures
Coding : NTSC Region 3
Sound : Dolby Digital 5.1
Extras : English Subtitles / Behind The Scenes / Interviews / Trailers /
Biography & Selected Filmography / Color Stills /
New Shaw Brothers Film Releases / Production Notes

******Paul would like to dedicate this review to the respect and personal affirmation of Linn Haynes and his encouragement to Paul with regards to grasping the Shaw Bros. with both hands and not letting go.