THE SWORD AND THE LUTE is a follow-on from THE TWIN SWORDS and pretty convoluted in terms of plotting and execution. The film has no less than three magical artifacts which rival groups are striving to get their grubby fingers on. The titular lute is stolen by a criminal gang and can be used to inflict the worst injuries on enemies. Meanwhile, a magical sword has fallen into the possession of a mere girl. Finally, some magic healing stones are the only things to cure said injuries from the aforementioned lute. While this is another fine-looking Shaw Brothers movie, the first thing you note is that Jimmy Wang Yu and Chin Ping are supporting players in their own movie; they only really take part in the beginning and ending. Bo-Bo Fung and Lo Lieh share the bulk of the screen time, with the latter on fine form playing a shady swordsman intent on getting his hands on the magical blade. The usual cameos (Wu Ma and Liu Chia-Liang feature heavily) and plentiful action keep this one moving along nicely, although it's not an example of the studio at their very best.
Review of The Sword and the Lute
