Rating: ***
Director: Ching Siu Tung
Cast: Damien Lau, Tsui Siu Keung (Norman Chu), Flora Chueng
An impressive directorial debut by Ching Siu Tung, this is a big budget, old school, kung fu fantasy period piece about a duel between China's greatest swordsman and Japan's greatest swordsman. But factions on both sides have their own agendas to ensure the outcome of the battle. Great looking, with outstanding camera work and incredible swordplay (although some of the flying gets a little out of hand). Throw in a bunch of outrageous ninja magic and the package is complete. Unfortunately though, the outcome of the battle doesn't make much sense - must be a cultural thing. Tai Seng has done a great job with this laserdisc - it's chapter marked and the subtitles are crisp and in the letterbox.