Similar to other films from director Sun Chung, "Deadly Breaking Sword" features powerful martial artists who exist outside of the normal rules of society. This one, however, is different in that none of the characters are classic heroes. Quite the opposite.
Ti Lung, in a change of pace, plays an arrogant master swordsman who has been traveling around and setting up death duels with the best martial artists. HIs kink is that he comes prepared with a coffin for his opponents and he kills them by breaking off one inch of his sword in their bodies, hence the title. Nice. Fu Sheng plays his stock rascal, a petty thief and compulsive gambler who is indentured to a gambling house by his losses. Somehow he's also a master martial artist and he travels with a stick that has a hidden knife. The two are brought together by a courtesan who is plotting revenge against the mysterious "Killer Doctor".
There's plot complications and more talk then expected in this type of film but that doesn't take away from the action when it comes. The fight scenes with Ti Lung are all excellent especially when he is pitted against the halberd master at the beginning and the climax. Some of Fu Sheng's scenes are not as good with some fights very clumsy and mistimed but he's charming as usual so that sort of makes up for it. Sun Chung's direction is restrained but he still picks some great shots for the fight scenes. While more story driven then other Shaw martial art films, it suffers since none of the main characters are likable or interesting enough to overcome their bad behavior.
Great? No but a good film for light viewing.
