Die wu ying (1983) User Reviews

Dark Lady of Kung Fu

[BandSAboutMovies · 6/10 · 29 September 2022]

Pearl Cheung Ling made Wolf Devil Woman which is a movie I could watch any time you want to watch it with me. This was the first movie that she directed. She also wrote and produced these films, which is a major thing for a martial arts film to be a female-owned production.

A remake of Shaw Brothers' film The Black Butterfly, Dark Lady of Kung Fu also has her in the lead as the Butterly Bandit, a vigilante who wears a butterfly mask, big black hat and a winged cape. She's at once Robin Hood and Fagin, as in her other identity she's Monkey G, leading a team of children she calls the Monkeys. And everyone thinks she's a man, which is an issue that a princess in this movie is also grappling with. Yes, Madam Kim Simon is a woman who wants to be a man, and at the end of the film, the Butterfly Bandit tells her to be happy to be him and just be pleased with whatever makes them happy.

This is a 1983 kung fu movie being this progressive.

It's crazy because one moment, you're getting sick of all the comic relief and then this movie shocks you with violence or an incredible fight scene. There's also a cannon that fires gold coins and a tough guy named Shadow who doesn't like it when people step on his. Also: the Close Encounters of the Third Kind theme song is in this.

Very very strange

[HMS_Awesome · 1/10 · 26 July 2001]

I and a friend of mine, led by some mysterious force, actually rented this movie a couple of days ago. Let me tell you one thing, do not be misled by the title, THIS MOVIE DOES NOT CONTAIN KUNG FU! It has more to do with elaborate costumes and some of the strangest dialogue I have ever seen than anything to do with actual fighting. As far as I can figure it, this Butterfly woman is like some kind of cruel transvestite Robin Hood who everyone refers to as "mister" despite the fact that she is a woman (I think). This had the hardest plot to follow of any movie I have ever seen, including Against The Drunken Cat Paws, which is, in my opinion, a much better movie, but back to the Dark Lady. In her mild mannered day job she is the boss of a bunch of caveman-looking juvenile thieves that she refers to as "monkeys". The best things about this movie would have to be A). The dubbing of the police chief, who is a kind of bumbling Mr. Magoo B). The soundtrack, which is an equal mix of traditional Chinese music and early 80's dance hall funk beat, and C). by far the real winner, the dialogue, which contains such gems as,"My name is no name. No is my surname and name is my.....name.","I am from Heaven, so of course I am very talented." and the following exchange,"Why are there two Lady Butterflies?" "Yes, I see two of them." The latter two quotes by a character named Houdini(yes I know, but I'm really not making this up). So in conclusion, let me just speak on behalf of everyone who has seen this movie by saying simply,"WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAATTTTTTTTTTT!?!?!?!?!?!?!? Thank you.

Nothing to see here citizen, keep moving.

[ckormos1 · 4/10 · 3 January 2017]

It starts with shiny pretties then cuts to a butterfly figure in Thailand. Pearl appears as the butterfly in costume among many others in costumes to demand who is paying to have her killed. She somehow robs them and leaves. The nonsense continues as we meet her strange gang.

I watched this movie simply because of the leading lady credit. Pearl Cheung made many martial arts movies but I would categorize this as an action comedy. On closer inspection I also see Pearl listed as the producer, director, and script writer. Based on that I am inclined to call this a vanity piece similar to John Liu's movie made in Paris. The total lack of quality in any category other than costumes for the lovely lady supports my inclination.

I watched it once and I am sure I will never watch it again. Sometimes I write a review, this is more of a warning.