Bian fu chuan qi

This is the sequel to a utterly brilliant Chor Yuen film, starring a cheery, investigative Ti Lung called CLANS OF INTRIGUE . Both are involved in this, as are most of the cast of the previous film, including some who had died in it , but are now in different roles.

It continues the story of the utterly wild, fast and furious first part directly, and the opening credits contain flashbacks to the first episode. This film is possibly as equally wild, but not as fast or furious.

... in fact it has moments of tedium, and boredom inducing drawn out events that the other part totally avoided.

And then there's the usual barrage of quick edited events and exposition that confound the viewer into exasperation.

Some of the (not so) special effects are rather dire , such as the burning boat. However the cinematography within the boat is lavish and impressive, as we would expect from such a talented director and production crew & company such as Shaw Brothers.

The fights are well staged , but not as satisfying or imaginative compared to the 1st film; which has to be stated is stunning.

It is certainly worth a watch, and has memorable moments, while many fans of it claim it is better film than Clans of Intrigue... it isn't, Clans of Intrigue is one of those untoppable films of its time, where everything worked perfectly within it , and everyone was at the height of their skills and inspired.

Chor Yuen & Ti Lung made many of these type of fantasy/swordplay films together, they are all good, some brilliant.

In some Ti Lung is a serious loner , in others such as this he is cheerful and playful. Whatever role he plays he is constantly excellent and I cant think of a single film I've seen him in where is gives a poor performance throughout the 1970s, into the 1990's.

He should seriously be seen as one of the silver screens greatest actors and one of the most charismatic and consistently exciting on screen martial artists.