cityonfire.com | Golden Swallow aka Girl With The Thunderbolt Kick

	Golden Swallow "The well-choreographed action, high body count, and blood-spraying slaughter is nearly all-you-can-eat." - Mighty Peking Man Golden Swallow (1968) AKA: The Girl With The Thunderbolt Kick Director: Chang Cheh Writer: Chang Cheh, Tu Yun Chih Producer: Runme Shaw Cast: Jimmy Wang Yu, Cheng Pei Pei (Cheng Pei-Pei), Chiu Sam Yin (Chao Hsin-Yen), Yeung Chi Hing (Yang Chih-Ching), Lo Lieh, Wu Ma, David Chiang, Lau Kar Wing, Cheng Miu, Lam Kau, Guk Fung (Ku Feng) Running Time: 104 mins. Plot: The "Golden Swallow" of "Come Drink With Me" comes back to life again in this sequel of heartbreaking romance, intrigue, and stunning action. Golden Swallow finds her peaceful life shattered when a suitor starts a killing spree in her name... Availability: This title is available at HKflix.com Reviews MIGHTY PEKING MAN'S REVIEW: "Golden Swallow" is the sequel to King Hu's 1966 masterpiece, "Come Drink With Me." Chang Cheh takes over the director's chair and transforms Hu's classic theatrical-style flick into an extravaganza of extreme violence, comic book-like gore, and larger-than-life characters with invincible powers way beyond belief. Fans of Chang Cheh's most colorful blood-filled films, such as "Return One-Armed Swordsman" and "Five Element Ninjas," are guaranteed to get an equal kick out of this one. "Golden Swallow" (which was also known by its less than fitting title, "The Girl With The Thunderbolt Kick") revolves around the further adventures of its title character, Golden Swallow (Cheng Pei Pei). This time around, she's forced into violence when a figure from her mysterious past goes on a killing rampage while leaving evidence that holds her responsible. "Golden Swallow" also makes room for a heartfelt love triangle involving a mad, but righteous swordsman named Silver Roc (Jimmy Wang Yu) and a gentle warrior named Golden Whip (Lo Lieh). The three team up to conquer the evil forces of the martial world, but their joint venture only lasts so long, due to the two men's virile egos. Ultimately, a duel to the death is planned between them, leaving Golden Swallow caught between two men, both of whom she admires. Chang Pei Pei and Lo Lieh get a good chunk of screen time, but despite the title, the movie belongs to Jimmy Wang Yu. Fresh off the tremendous success of "One-Armed Swordsman," it's a spotlight that's well-deserved. The well-choreographed action, high body count, and blood spraying slaughter is nearly all-you-can-eat. I'm sure Chang Cheh was questioned about the syrup budget for the buckets and buckets of fake blood needed for some of the full-scale battles. He also seemed to be testing the limits of his own gutsiness by using the honor and loyalty of his characters (including small children) as an excuse to outdo one gore scene after another. Believe me, that's a good thing. Even though "Golden Swallow" is mostly brutal, it's beautifully executed and uses Shaw Scope to its full potential. It's also hard not to take notice of the exuberant soundtrack, which hints a catchy melancholic score reminiscent of Japanese swordplay films and Italian Westerns. Like the "One-Armed Swordsman" series, "Golden Swallow" defines what a Chang Cheh action movie is all about. MIGHTY PEKING MAN'S RATING: 8/10

Golden Swallow

"The well-choreographed action, high body count, and blood-spraying slaughter is nearly all-you-can-eat."

- Mighty Peking Man

Golden Swallow (1968)

AKA: The Girl With The Thunderbolt Kick

Director: Chang Cheh

Writer: Chang Cheh, Tu Yun Chih

Producer: Runme Shaw

Cast: Jimmy Wang Yu, Cheng Pei Pei (Cheng Pei-Pei), Chiu Sam Yin (Chao Hsin-Yen), Yeung Chi Hing (Yang Chih-Ching), Lo Lieh, Wu Ma, David Chiang, Lau Kar Wing, Cheng Miu, Lam Kau, Guk Fung (Ku Feng)

Running Time: 104 mins.

Plot: The "Golden Swallow" of "Come Drink With Me" comes back to life again in this sequel of heartbreaking romance, intrigue, and stunning action. Golden Swallow finds her peaceful life shattered when a suitor starts a killing spree in her name...

Availability: This title is available at HKflix.com

Reviews

MIGHTY PEKING MAN'S REVIEW: "Golden Swallow" is the sequel to King Hu's 1966 masterpiece, "Come Drink With Me." Chang Cheh takes over the director's chair and transforms Hu's classic theatrical-style flick into an extravaganza of extreme violence, comic book-like gore, and larger-than-life characters with invincible powers way beyond belief. Fans of Chang Cheh's most colorful blood-filled films, such as "Return One-Armed Swordsman" and "Five Element Ninjas," are guaranteed to get an equal kick out of this one.

"Golden Swallow" (which was also known by its less than fitting title, "The Girl With The Thunderbolt Kick") revolves around the further adventures of its title character, Golden Swallow (Cheng Pei Pei). This time around, she's forced into violence when a figure from her mysterious past goes on a killing rampage while leaving evidence that holds her responsible. "Golden Swallow" also makes room for a heartfelt love triangle involving a mad, but righteous swordsman named Silver Roc (Jimmy Wang Yu) and a gentle warrior named Golden Whip (Lo Lieh). The three team up to conquer the evil forces of the martial world, but their joint venture only lasts so long, due to the two men's virile egos. Ultimately, a duel to the death is planned between them, leaving Golden Swallow caught between two men, both of whom she admires.

Chang Pei Pei and Lo Lieh get a good chunk of screen time, but despite the title, the movie belongs to Jimmy Wang Yu. Fresh off the tremendous success of "One-Armed Swordsman," it's a spotlight that's well-deserved.

The well-choreographed action, high body count, and blood spraying slaughter is nearly all-you-can-eat. I'm sure Chang Cheh was questioned about the syrup budget for the buckets and buckets of fake blood needed for some of the full-scale battles. He also seemed to be testing the limits of his own gutsiness by using the honor and loyalty of his characters (including small children) as an excuse to outdo one gore scene after another. Believe me, that's a good thing.

Even though "Golden Swallow" is mostly brutal, it's beautifully executed and uses Shaw Scope to its full potential. It's also hard not to take notice of the exuberant soundtrack, which hints a catchy melancholic score reminiscent of Japanese swordplay films and Italian Westerns.

Like the "One-Armed Swordsman" series, "Golden Swallow" defines what a Chang Cheh action movie is all about.

MIGHTY PEKING MAN'S RATING: 8/10