Xin bi xue jian

Made in the same year as his other swordsman style move classic Deadful Melody, Yuen Biao stars in this impressive seminal classic.

Directed very differently by Cheung Hoi-Ching, Yuen Biao plays a chief constable on the tail of the mysterious Golden Snake Man who also appears to be a killer, (played very impressively by Danny Lee).

Unlike most one-dimensional 'bad guys' who are in most movies, director Cheung Hoi-Ching masterfully weaves a complicated back-story of the Golden Snake Man's (Danny Lee) past. While Danny Lee's immaculate playing gives his character a three-dimensional shape.

Also, director Cheung Hoi-Ching surrounds Yuen Biao with a dynamic cast filled with wonderfully varied characters played brilliantly by the cast (which includes Ng Man-Tat, Anita Mui and the impressive Man Cheung). The two love stories between the two main protagonists (Yuen Biao and Danny Lee) are both diverse and complicated.

Although some people have complained that the story-line is too difficult to follow, this is probably because the current flow of films are very brainless (unfortunately) so nowadays most people complain when an movie which appeals to a person of an IQ of over 5 comes out.

Although made in the same year as the wonderful Deadful Melody, these two swordsman style movies are very different. This movie contains a haunting soundtrack, immaculate performances from the whole cast. The direction and the cinematography itself is nothing short of wonderful.

What director Cheung Hoi-Ching does so masterfully is surround himself with all of the above with a beautiful site at the end. And unlike most swordsman movies, Sword Stained with Royal Blood has a huge diverse universe of characters all with a back story, with an intelligent storyline and a bitter-sweet denouement with the love story between Yuen Biao and Man Cheung.

The Sword Stained with Royal Blood is an uncommon piece of swordsman style move. Assured, intelligent, patient, meditative and different.