Thursday, 16 April 2009

Flying Guillotine

Master of the Flying Guillotine (1974) was hot. Not blow-your-mind material. But great old-school kung fu. It had all the elements:
  • Evil white-bearded hermit.
  • Some ridiculous characters (an Indian Rubber man, several one-armed boxers...).
  • A very thin plot-device to introduce the bulk of the actual fighting.
  • Ugly scenery typical of the kung fu of that era.
Interestingly, the hero (the real one-armed boxer) was content to use some seriously not-honourable schemes to get his man. For western cinema that's fine. For kung fu of that era... well, it stood out to me as pretty odd.

I notice that Block Cinema is getting underway (spectacularly good idea, guys). The question is: Can it truly hope to go the distance if it doesn't embrace kung fu? (I jest). I suggest either 36th Chamber or some early Bruce Lee ;)

5 comments:

Mikey Lynch said...

I love your vision. Yes. Kung fu. Long, boring old kung fu. Yes.

We'll definitely do it.

Bernard said...

Mike, it's like you're channeling Katie. Uncanny.

dan said...

I actually have 36 chambers on Video Casette. You can borrow it mike coz video is retro now.

Kate (Pablo's mum) said...

Nothing to do wuth king fu, but happy birthday for Sunday. Hope you had a rockin' day with your family!

Bernard said...

Fanx Pabs :)