Best known for his novels, film producer, screenwriter and novelist Xiong Yao Hua (pen name Gu Long) wrote “Xiao Li Fei Dao” (“Little Li Flying Dagger”), a wuxia series consisting of five novels from 1968 to 1981. This film is an adaptation of the second novel “The Bordertown Wanderer” in which two swordsmen team up to investigate the murder case of a legendary swordsman, Bai Tian Yu. Apparently it is the 20th anniversary of his death and his son is showing up to settle the old score with the remaining surviving seven murderers.
Set in a winter landscape, the film kicks off with Fu Hong Xue (Ti Lung), an unshaven man cladded in a poncho, walking alone on the snowy fields and frozen rivers as the opening credits roll. Obviously the same frozen location where Chor filmed his very own “The Sentimental Swordsman” with Li in the lead. Meanwhile he strikes up a friendship with swordsman Ye Kai (Lau Wing) during a restaurant stop and before long, the two find themselves caught up in the doings of both the Wan Ma School and the Thousand Masks Clan and eventually lead them to the identity of the mysterious son of swordsman Bai.
According to the novel, Ye Kai, wonderfully portrayed by Lau Wing, is the apprentice of Li Xun Huan, the main protagonist from the first novel “The Sentimental Swordsman, Ruthless Sword” who uses the same flying daggers he inherited from his Master. But in this production, he now plays Fu Hong Xue, the wandering lone swordsman who befriends Ye. Although Fu appeared in “The Magic Blade” (1976) which was based on “Horizon, Bright Moon, Saber”, the fourth novel, he first appeared in the second novel “The Bordertown Wanderer”, filmed here as “Pursuit of Vengeance”.
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Nonetheless, the onscreen presence and chemistry between the two main leads are amazing; it is such a delight to watch them interact with each other. Like their endless bickering throughout, which is so fun and hilarious. Actually the other focus of this wuxia series lies in those flying daggers used by Li as well as the different practitioners that follow. Also, judging by the way the film turns out, Chor seems to have shifted his focus more on Ti's character Fu instead of Ye who was in fact the main protagonist as written in the book. This probably has to do with the huge success of “The Magic Blade” and the well established character.
Just when you think it couldn't get any better, Chor throws in a cocky assassin for hire, Lu Xiao Jia (Lo Lieh) into the mix to create even more mayhem and laughs. The appearance of Lu immediately brings the film to another level with Lo's charming and funny show-stealing performance. Furthermore, by stripping naked and taking a bath in the middle of the street, he probably has the best and weird introduction of his film career and later bares it all again as the end credits roll. Interestingly, Derek Yee turns up to reprise his role as Ah Fei, the young swordsman Li Xun Huan (played by Ti Lung) took a shine to in “The Sentimental Swordsman”.
The supporting cast is equally amazing, Shaw veteran Norman Chu, Paul Chang Chung and Fan Mei Sheng all show up briefly as sneaky members of the Thousand Masks Clan. In fact everyone in this film seems to have different identities. Unfortunately for the normally capable starlet Shih Szu, she has landed the role of an ill-fated swordswoman who tends to have her clothes sliced off during fights. Elsewhere, Chen Ping is right at home being a seductive female. Nonetheless these are colorful and interesting characters regardless.
As expected, the sword fights, choreographed by Tang Chia and Huang Pei Chi are fluid, intense and imaginative. The exciting end fight which involves both Ye and Fu trapped in a web of swords is thrilling to watch and besides, the amazing spinning short sword wielded by hero Fu is so unique and a highlight itself.
“Pursuit of Vengeance” has a simple revenge theme but under the direction of Chor, nothing is that simple and straightforward. Still, apart from the dense and outrageous twists, this is an extremely fun and entertaining magical wuxia full of likable characters, lash sets, amazing action and above all, great performances from the main leads.
