The One Armed Swordsman VS. 9 Killers

Jimmy Wang Yu gained his fame with Shaw Brothers studios in 67 as the star of, The One Armed Swordsman, and in 69 reprised the role in the Return of the One Armed Swordsman after which he left the Shaw Brothers in 70 (he actually broke his contract and Shaw sued). The Shaw Brothers would later bring back the magic with The New One Armed Swordsman (aka Triple Irons) in 71 starring David Chiang. Well, Wang Yu, the same year went to Japan and brought back the role in a Japanese produced Zatoichi Meets the One Armed Swordsman, (I don't suppose Shaw Studios were too pleased) the film met with great success.

Throughout the following years Wang Yu would produce, direct, star and even write a number of films including, The Chinese Boxer aka Hammer of God, and Beach of the War Gods. He even teamed up with David Chiang (his Shaw Brothers replacement) in 76, formed a Taiwan based film company and released, The One Armed Swordsmen which David Chiang directed, and the two both starred in. (I haven't found anything further as to Wang Yu's case with Shaw Brothers but have my theories.)

This movie, One Armed Swordsman vs. 9 Killers was released in 76 (I imagine Video Asia stuck the title in, why would Wang Yu risk more trouble? And the deception worked. I wouldn't have bought the dvd if not for the One Armed Swordsman title.) it is co-written, directed, and stars Jimmy Wang Yu as a cocky fairly arrogant and rude revenge seeker that happens to have one arm. (A clue, here his left arm is missing, the one armed swordsman is missing his right arm) He bullies and fights his way through the movie, interrogating and killing people, (some of them being the 9 killers) he's trying to find master Chu Chi Ju, who headed the group of 9 killers that slaughtered his father and 80 family members in one night, leaving Wang Yu as the only survivor.

There's an opening fight scene and it's another clue that Wang Yu is not carrying a sword, and when asked about it by the first killer he kills, he responds, "I don't need one, not for this fight, so I didn't bring one." So, he doe's have a sword somewhere, and he does have one arm? Could it be?

As Wang Yu continues the next day he encounters a chieftain who happens to be the father in law of the killer previously dispatched. There is a challenge from the old chieftain to a game of life-size chess with the loser forfeiting his life, Wang Yu cheats when pressed to play, (he has no beef with the old man) then after an actual fight, Wang Yu leaves the chieftain beaten, but unhurt. Well the old "loss of face" clause is invoked and the old man takes his own life.

The dead killers brother,Yen See (played by Lung Fei, Shaolin Death Squad, Beach of the War Gods) is trying to persuade his girlfriend to consent to becoming his concubine by tying her down to some boulders in the hot sun and leaves her to think about it for 24 hours. Wang Yu comes across the girl and unties her, and together they locate Yen See at a diner. Wang Yu tells him "Your brother wasn't all that good a swordsman and neither are you" (see what I mean by arrogant?). Of course another fight pops off and Wang Yu handles business, but not before he gets shot with a poison dart.

They go to a village doctor who gives him an antidote that happens to be a very lethal poison. (Master Chu is kept informed and seems to have everyone working for him). Well of course Wang Yu doesn't swallow the pill and while the doc is having a good laugh he spits it back into the doctors mouth. Wang Yu is still woozy from the weak dart poison and takes a nap. When he wakes up the girl is still there and introductions are made, her is Sue and his name is Liu Yee Su, (ok, that's yet another clue that this isn't the one armed swordsman, whose name is Wang Kang). Sue wants to tag along. They're attacked and a couple more get killed. Not a minute later another attack.

An old man who also wants Master Chu to pay, helps Wang Yu by directing him to find King Rat for information. Before info can be had King Rat is killed, Wang Yu goes to investigate and when he returns seconds later Sue is gone. He meets up with the old man again and during conversation Wang Yu is asked how he lost his arm, now here's where I like to think that Wang Yu wrote in a little reference for fans of the One Armed Swordsman character, because Wang Yu responds with, "A friend caught me off my guard", and that is how his original One Armed Swordsman character actually lost his arm. The old man later falls off a cliff during a fight with Chu's men.

After killing some more of Chu's men that have come after him, Wang Yu comes across a mysterious woman playing a lute-like instrument, who directs him to the Shen Shu temple where an androgynous monk, (Wang Yu calls him/her a "disgusting creature".) might have answers. It's a trap and Wang Yu ends up killing mystery woman and the monk. Back on his way a guy named Tang can't wait to tell Wang Yu where three more of the killers are and accompanies him for a drink.(Tang doesn't reveal who he is). After another killer gets his in a brothel, Wang Yu is on his way to the next and is questioned by a guard who asks, "Are you a swordsman?" to which he responds, "No, I'm just a traveler". That just about does it for me as far as wondering if this is the one armed swordsman. There's more proof but you'll have to read the spoiler.

After taking out a dude with the six foot sword, Wang Yu and Tang have a talk and Tang reveals that he was one of Chu's hired killers but did not like his treatment and, by giving up his former boss' location hopes to take over after Wang Yu kills them all. He takes Wang Yu to see Master Chu, but must get through another of the killers (we finally get to see Lo liegh). and incidentally, Sue, who has been held there. Lo Liegh is finished then Tang winds up as a pin cushion from the ninth killer's knives and after an interrogation that reveals Master Chu to be at White Mountain Wang Yu throws the last killer off a cliff.

BEGIN SPOILER Wang Yu sets off for the mountain telling Sue to stay behind. The old man that previously fell off the cliff is waiting for Wang Yu there, ("I had a substitute", uh yeah, ok) and tells Wang Yu that he is Chu. There's initial disbelief by Wang Yu until the old man Chu cuts him and says that he will cut him 9 times, one for each of his now dead killers. The final fight is on. Chu is not shabby with the sword and for the 9th cut he takes Wang Yu's arm. Gloating over Wang Yu's armless condition Chu readies the death blow when wait, a twist, Wang Yu was fakin' it and had his other arm hidden the entire movie, (his left arm) and uses it to kill Chu in a surprise move. Here comes Sue who says, "I guess you really have one arm now" then stabs Wang Yu (what, another twist.). She is the daughter of the chess playing chieftain and has also been seeking revenge. She is killed by Wang Yu of course, and the closing shot has him recuperated and all cleaned up in his white threads, (gotta love the hat).END SPOILER

It's pretty obvious that this release was designed to capitalize on the draw of the One Armed Swordsman character, but why let that be a reason to dislike the movie now, it's been nearly 30 years for cryin' out loud, and that makes this film a "classic". ( Notice I don't say epic) Loaded with great fight choreography, this is a highly enjoyable action piece, regardless of any flaws or plot "over twisting". The soundtrack was what it was supposed to be and lent to the action, not interfering in the least nor in any way cheesy.

A Video Asia dvd, with decent transfer, sharp color, and audio levels mixed perfectly. There's scene selection, and a thing called insta-action that takes you directly to the fighting. (I counted 15 fights at least.) Full frame presentation, (the case lists widescreen but the image blocking/cropping did not lose any of the action)

Recommendation
If you are expecting the One Armed Swordsman forget it. This movie uses the title deceptively. If you can get over the deception, buy this dvd, it's fantastic.