The Chinese Amazons (HK 1975)

Rating: *
Review Date: 3/27/11
Cast: Judy Lee (Chia Ling), Hsu Feng, Polly Shang Kwan

Ugh. How could a movie starring Judy Lee, Hsu Feng, and Shang Kwan be so awful? This is basically a Chinese propaganda film about a group of misfit girls joining the Revolutionary Army and all of the hardships and sacrifices they make for the motherland. The main character joins the army after running away from her arranged wedding, and writes a book based on her army experience. All of the other girls are runaways of one kind or another, who have rejected society and have nowhere else to go. Of course there are harsh training exercises, petty rivalries, and female bonding through violence. And once again, Shang Kwan pretends to be a boy, fooling everyone except the audience. The girls eventually get sent to the front lines as nurses, and ultimately end up sacrificing themselves in armed combat. Just dreadful on all accounts, and a terrible waste of terrific talent.