You have to give up a lot to become the King of the Swords. Sometimes it is a great love. Sometimes it is your own life. Setting that title as your goal, it is indeed a life full of ghosts and haunting images that catch life in the gleam of a sword’s blade. That’s what happens when a young boy happens to witness Lu Tien Kang (Ku Feng, who is most badass in this role), the current King of the Swords, kill a challenger and, as he keeps watching, the lover of the deceased swordsman takes her own life.
That’s a lot for a child to witness and not be traumatized by. It’s also the territory of Soul Of The Sword, a Shaw Brothers production like few others as it wraps its bloody hands around the sadness and the Tragedy (yes, with a capital T) that are the fates for the characters in this morbid offering of ghosts and murders.
It is a life full of blood, but something about that scene stays with the boy as he grows into a fierce swordsman of his own. The Nameless Swordsman (Ti Lung) is of a singular focus in his quest to take on Lu Tien Kang and become the King of Swords. He is arrogant. He is fierce and he takes what he wants, even when it comes to women. Unfortunately, he is also willing to sacrifice lives in order to challenge the man.
Nameless, in spite of his charming advances toward He Lian (Lin Chen-Chi) in the rain, is of a singular quest. The poor girl should be advised against investing in him as a mate, but emotions are what they are and her ultimate tragedy is brought about by his own actions. There can be no attachments if you want to be a true swordsman. Truthfully, Nameless is a bastard and he gives up a lot of his humanity as he grows up haunted by that instigating scene of death from many years ago.
Should we pity him? According to director Hua San and screenwriters Chiu Kang-Chien and Lin Chan-Wai, possibly. The film is shot in a relatively poetic way as the wuxia world comes to life on the screen. There are romantic scenes in the rain, lovely rooms all adorned with flowing fabrics, and then there’s the fight sequences which are choreographed by Tang Chia who shows us swordsmen who can balance candles on the end of their blades and do fantastic flips over their enemies with graceful moves.
Not to be outdone Nameless’ actions, audiences also have Lady of 3 Moves (Lau Wai-Ling) who titty twists her way into manipulating Mr. Yan (Norman Tsui Siu-Keung) into trying to kill Nameless with her. But, first, she has to lie with him and, when he refuses to go down on her, she nearly cuts his penis off. She’s a vicious lady, as well, adding to the tough nature of this martial arts flick.
Soul Of The Sword is now on blu-ray thanks to Shout Factory’s release of the Shaw Brothers Classics, Vol 3, a box set comprising of 11 classic martial arts films from the famous Shaw Brothers' library, featuring some of their greatest stars – Alexander Fu Sheng (The Brave Archer), Lo Lieh (King Boxer), Ti Lung (A Better Tomorrow), David Chiang (The Boxer Of Shantung) and The Deadly Venoms! Many of these films are debuting for the first time on Blu-ray.
Live by the sword, die by the sword.
Home Video Distributor: Shout Factory
Available on Blu-ray - October 24, 2023
Screen Formats: 2.35:1
Subtitles: English
Audio: Mandarin: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono; English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono
Discs: Blu-ray Disc; 11-disc set
Region Encoding: Locked to Region A
"Be careful what you wish for"” sums up Soul Of The Sword, which stars acclaimed actor Ti Lung as a swordsman whose sole purpose is to defeat the "Number One Swordsman" no matter what. The warrior's code dictates that to be number one there must be no other pursuit in life, so he gives up his lover only to learn that wanting is better than having ... and that the terrorism of tradition in the end can bring about your own downfall.
Video
Soul Of The Sword is beautifully presented from Shout Factory. In fact, the film looks more glorious than ever. Interiors are strong. Colors pop throughout, but it is the blood effects - burning bright in the transfer - which seal the deal on this one. It has a solid atmosphere thanks to the quick-footed script and looks visually eye-popping due to the handling of the digital camera. Black levels are strong throughout, bringing out nice details in both the loud and quiet moments of this epic adventure. Even the costumes are noted stitch by stitch.
Audio
A Mandarin Mono Master Audio track is included. It is accompanied with new subtitle translations in English.
Supplements:
Commentary:
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See Special Features for the complete breakdown.
Special Features:
James Mudge provides a stellar commentary and Author And Critic Ric Meyers explains how Hong Kong cinema became a part of the Grindhouse scene in America. Also included are two trailers.
- NEW Audio Commentary With James Mudge, Veteran Hong Kong Film Critic At easternKicks
- NEW The “Soul” Of The Grindhouse – Author And Critic Ric Meyers Details How Hong Kong Action Cinema Came
- To Become A Western Phenomenon
- Original Theatrical Trailer
- Celestial Trailer
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Composite Blu-ray Grade
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MPAA Rating: Unrated.
Runtime: 85 mins
Director: Shan Hua
Writer: Kang-Chien Chiu; Chan-Wei Lin
Cast: Lung Ti; Chen-Chi Lin; Feng Ku
Genre: Action | Drama
Tagline:
Memorable Movie Quote:
Distributor: Shaw Brothers
Official Site:
Release Date: April 24, 1978 (Hong Kong)
DVD/Blu-ray Release Date: October 24, 2023
Synopsis: Famed actor Ti Lung plays a lone swordsman trying to defeat the "Number One Swordsman" as part of his vengeance package in life in Soul Of The Sword. He quickly learns however, that sometimes wanting is better than having.
