Reviews

Surprisingly staid kung fu flick despite a good opening and some colorful, slick production values. Sadly not alot can be said about this Chinese/Korean co-production except that it should've been in the same league as 'Duel Of The Iron Fist' and 'Flying Fists Of Death' but the lackluster storytelling seriously impairs the usually fluent style that most good chopsocky dramas are known for. I'm not discounting the value of the film as it probably deserves a wider berth but upon remembering the disappointment the film left I'm hard pressed to dust off my old Paragon/King Of Video print this review is based on.

Anyone that knows and understands the Giallo subgenre of fright flicks will see right through this made for t.v., wants-to-be-a-giallo terror tale. Watered down telefilm has a 'Cat O' Nine Tails' plotted murder on a train and the identity of the killer as the catalyst of the female protagonist's dilemma. There is some style to spare in this film with a staircase scene in a restaurant that has the beautific visual style of Mario Bava and the camera movements of Dario Argento but alas THIS is the ONLY scene where any true workmanship is to be found. The makers of this little flick no doubt stayed up all night perusing older Giallo murder tapes to get this scene right. Otherwise this is routine yet watchable fare with Telly Savalas as the menace and Lynda Day George as the prey.

The ONLY time I ever got to see this was when I lived in LA in 1993. Caught this on a late night/early morning Los Angeles t.v. station and was lucky enough to tape it although the tape has since been stolen by a ruthless film nerd I used to know. Dammit! This is the kind of horror that is probably only made in the UK today as it was lensed on video tape back in the early 1970s and has the look, feel and acting of a staged play. Tale of a newlywed bride encountering occult terror on an desolate farm fits right in with those British late night imports that was churned out on American t.v. during the 70s & 80s. Produced on the cheap, this seemingly lost little flick would really make a great double feature with 'Crowhaven Farm' (another hard to get but not entirely out of reach horror) or better yet 'Deadly Blessing' (the Wes Craven film that echoes the occult terror of 'Last Bride' and also stars Lois Nettleton in another rural lass role!). In today's age of film collecting and special edition versions of movies, films like this are sadly hard to come by and it seems only an act of God will let a made for television film (especially one of the Horror genre) make it tape or dvd. Keep checking those t.v. guides...One to look for!

Pacifist village is beset by bandits in this low budget yet lyrical martial arts thriller: One beauty of a film that benefits from simplistic storytelling and nicely drawn characterizations. Underrated Chang Cheh film utilizes some sets and actors from his classic 'Duel Of The Iron Fist' and the isolated seaside setting of the village adds much to the atmosphere of the proceedings. Despite bad dubbing, ultra simply storyline and an almost austere production design 'Savage Five' hands down rivals the ornateness of 'Kid With The Golden Arm' and the twist heavy 'Five Deadly Venoms'. The always great David Chiang plays a lesser version of his Rover character from 'Duel Of The Iron Fist' and Ti Lung, looking incredible here, is at his physical best. Accolades to Chen Kuan (Guan) Tai and Wang Chung (Cheung) in great sympathetic roles too. Kung Fu classic where the actual martial arts display takes a backseat to the mesmerizing story. This review is based on the cut 96 minute t.v. print I have. A Chinese film to cherish!