The "say what you see" title hides the quality of this low rent and relatively unknown Hong Kong kung fu film which is far better than expected given the budget, or lack thereof. Ostensibly a vehicle for low rent star Don Wong, BANDITS, PROSTITUTES AND SILVER features an intricate storyline that offers far more characterisation than one would expect from a stock kung fu movie. Okay, so that also means that the first half of the film is relatively slow and action-free, but how often do you get a film like this with proper character motivations?
Wong plays a romantic character who just so happens to fall in love with a prostitute employed by a cruel brothel owner. He wants to set her free but to do so he needs a large amount of ready cash, cash which he doesn't have available, so he agrees to steal a shipment of silver on behalf of some criminals. All goes straightforward until a wide-ranging bandit gang get involved, all desperate to get their hands on the loot, and a master villain shows up with murder in mind.
Although Wong is the listed protagonist in this film he's actually outshone by the supporting players; there are no less than three luminaries present here and all are more than welcome. First up is Angela Mao in a rare villainous turn as a fighter with some wicked spinning blade boots; she burns up the screen as always. Second we get the inimitable Phillip Ko as the bald-headed bandit leader, always a favourite of mine alongside the likes of Dick Wei and Chen Sing. Best of all is Lo Lieh in one of his stock master villain roles, but at least he gets an interesting chain necklace weapon here, a little like the flying blade he used in THE DRAGON MISSILE. Add in plentiful action, some gore, a wagon chase, and a bratty kung fu-fighting kid, and you have the ingredients of an entertaining movie.
Wong plays a romantic character who just so happens to fall in love with a prostitute employed by a cruel brothel owner. He wants to set her free but to do so he needs a large amount of ready cash, cash which he doesn't have available, so he agrees to steal a shipment of silver on behalf of some criminals. All goes straightforward until a wide-ranging bandit gang get involved, all desperate to get their hands on the loot, and a master villain shows up with murder in mind.
Although Wong is the listed protagonist in this film he's actually outshone by the supporting players; there are no less than three luminaries present here and all are more than welcome. First up is Angela Mao in a rare villainous turn as a fighter with some wicked spinning blade boots; she burns up the screen as always. Second we get the inimitable Phillip Ko as the bald-headed bandit leader, always a favourite of mine alongside the likes of Dick Wei and Chen Sing. Best of all is Lo Lieh in one of his stock master villain roles, but at least he gets an interesting chain necklace weapon here, a little like the flying blade he used in THE DRAGON MISSILE. Add in plentiful action, some gore, a wagon chase, and a bratty kung fu-fighting kid, and you have the ingredients of an entertaining movie.