Bastard Swordsman

The dawn of the 80s seemed to veer Hong Kong cinema into a frenzy, producing some of the most outrageous, lurid films of all time. These spectacles tended to take a genre-hybrid approach by blending kung fu, fantasy, horror and comedy into manic cocktails. Martial arts was no longer a question of superhuman, but of occult prowess.

Lu Chun-Ku directed two movies in 1983 with a feverish disregard for subtlety. Bastard Swordsman commences true to its title as a coked-up swordplay film but is soon sliding down the slopes of sheer madness. The plot turns into a whirlpool of deception and cartoonish combat. A central element is the Silkworm Style of kung fu. Sounds tame? That's only until it's made clear such a practice enables one not only to become practically weightless but also to shoot EXPLODING LASER BEAMS by harvesting inner powers.

The studio sets, including ancient temple grounds and nocturnal gardens with science fiction lighting, are just beautiful to look at. Everything from the garish costumes to the gleaming weapons ooze lavish charm into the fabric of Bastard Swordsman. This is a movie you simply can't help having a blast watching in its excessive glory.