Gau yat: San diu hap lui (1991)

Directors:

David Lai
Corey Yuen

Writers:

Jeffrey Lau (writer)
Kar Wai Wong (writer)

Release Date:

19 December 1991 (Hong Kong)

Genre:

Action | Drama | Fantasy | Romance | Sci-Fi

Plot:

A graying black-clad swordsman slays palace guards, as he flies through the air to an uncertain purpose...

Plot Keywords:

Mistaken Identity | Wedding Ring | Female Impersonator | Box | Kid Sister

Awards:

2 wins & 3 nominations

Cast

Andy Lau	...	Ching
Anita Mui	...	Yiu May-kwan
Aaron Kwok	...	Silver Fox
Kenny Bee	...	Siu Chuen
Gloria Yip	...	Wai Heung
Carina Lau	...	Pet Lady
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Henry Fong	...	Fox's Master

Also Known As:

Jiu yi: Shen diao xia lu (Hong Kong: Mandarin title)
Saviour of the Soul (Hong Kong: English title)
Terrible Angel

Runtime:

USA:92 min

Country:

Hong Kong

Language:

Cantonese

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

UK:15

Company:

Team Work Production House

Movie Connections:

Featured in San tung gui see doi (1994)

Hong Kong magic with sweet Anita Mui.

I love Anita Mui. That 1963 born beauty began her career as a singer and soon started to act, too. She has the most beautiful eyes and face I've ever seen. If a movie she stars in is pretty mediocre, I will still want to check it out because of Anita. Savior of the Soul is directed by Corey Yuen and David Lai, both are professional directors and have many films on their filmography. Savior of the Soul starts very promisingly with one of the most incredible action scenes I'd ever seen. The start is fantastic, but soon the film turns into usual comedy, but still doesn't forget those effects laden action parts, which along Anita save this film from total failure. The story is very confusing even at Hong Kong standards, so it is no use in trying to describe it. It involves one mean demon named Silver Fox who is trying to kill Anita's character for vengeance and so on. There are many characters and many turns, but that is usually the case in Hong Kong films.

The action scenes are incredible and fantastic, as wires are used and camera flows and twists all the time with the flying and fighting characters. If you have seen films like Ching Siu Tung's Heroic Trio (also starring Anita!), you know what to expect from this, as the action scenes are equally great, even though not as plenty as in Heroic Trio. The drama parts in Savior of the Soul are often stupid, and the film tries to be too funny, and fails like Ching Siu Tung's other film, Terra Cotta Warrior, which has great beginning and ending, but stupid and "funny" middle part. Savior of the Soul could have been greater if they had left out those slapstick parts and concentrated more on serious fantasy film making.

Savior of the Soul is still very nice film for fans of Hong Kong cinema, and has also many positive things. Never have I seen such a great visuality and cinematic magic anywhere else, than in these Orient movies. Their cinema is so unique, it is even too much for many, and I know many movie fans, that don't like Hong Kong films at all. I think it is mostly because of the lack of imagination and tolerance for something never before seen. Action, horror and fantasy are the genres Orient is almost unbeatable in. There are many great Orient film makers, and internationally known Tsui Hark, John Woo and Ringo Lam are only few, and many great talents are almost unknown for many western viewers.

Savior of the Soul is another wonderfully shot and edited fantasy adventure film, but there are too many stupid moments and also little slow moments to fully appreciate the film. Still, as the cinematography and other magic elements are so perfect, I gladly give this 7/10 rating!