Huo bing (1971)

User Rating:

7.7/10   

Director:

Yuen Chor

Writer:

Kuang Ni (writer)

Release Date:

11 June 1971 (Hong Kong)

Genre:

Action

Plot:

6 swordsmen, among them 2 sisters and their husbands, a lone ranger and a security guard, plot, betray and outwit each other for a load of gold. |

Cast

Unicorn Chan	...	Wen's assistant
Chun Chen	...	Wen Li Hsien / Wen San Hu
Han Chin	...	Master Shen / Meng Lung
Siu Loi Chow	...	Chiu's cohort
Hua Chung	...	Hua Tieh Erh
Chun Erh	...	Treasury Security Guard
Mei Sheng Fan	...	'Steward' Chiu
Wei Hu	...	Waiter
Wei Lieh Lan	...	Treasury Security Guard
Hsiao Chung Li	...	Treasury Manager
Ivy Ling Po	...	Meng Yu Yen
Peng-fei Li	...	Treasury Sargeant Chang
Chun Liu	...	Butler Wang Fu
Han Lo	...	Treasury Proprietor
Lieh Lo	...	The Lone Shadow Teng Chi Yan
Kong Lung	...	Treasury Security Guard
Tien Hsi Tang	...	Chiu's cohort
Ping Wang	...	Meng Yu Ying
Tse Lin Yang	...	Chiu's cohort
Hung Yueh	...	Waiter

Also Known As:

Duel for Gold (International: English title) (original subtitled version)
Fo ping (Hong Kong: Cantonese title)
Thieves Fall Out (Hong Kong: English title) (working title)

Runtime:

Hong Kong:100 min

Country:

Hong Kong

Language:

Mandarin

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Company:

Shaw Brothers

Acrobatic Flying Sword Fights

*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

Two sisters who perform acrobatic stunts for money are actually thieves who are out to rob a "bank" full of silver and gold. The head guard at the bank is the "good" guy (But is he really?) who is challenged by the invisible loner, a rascal who is fairly close in kung fu and sword skills to the guard. It all comes down to a massive robbery of the "bank" in which these four plus some other men unfortunate enough to be involved (they meet their end somewhat quickly) results in the final four being so greedy they keep trying to kill each other until only one can possess the gold. And it's a lot of gold. There is quite a bit of gory swordplay including hacked off arms and legs and multiple blades to the chest and back with all the "red paint" blood Shaw is famous for. Like a spaghetti western this comes down to a whole lot of money and being a sister or lover isn't enough to save you from a good sword in the back (or front). I don't recommend this to those who hate wire work as there is a lot of it here. But if you enjoy good action and swordplay this is a good time with an interesting story.