Sun Chung, Ti Lung and Fu Sheng are back in another wuxia adventure after their highly successful collaboration in “Avenging Eagle” just a year ago, this time written by the prolific novelist and screenwriter Ni Kuang. The Chinese title, loosely translated as “Romantic Broken Sword, Little Dagger” actually refers to both the lead characters and their signature weapons.
Proud, arrogant Tuan Chang Qing (Ti Lung) is a legendary swordsman who kills his opponents with a special sword technique as well as provides coffins for them before their duels. He purposely breaks the tip of his sword, about an inch, and buries it in their bodies like souvenirs and by killing them that way, he has earned the nickname “Deadly Broken Sword”. The movie opens with Tuan and Lian San (Michael Chan Wai Man) in a ferocious duel in which Lian, even though with a piece of broken steel buried in his body, manages to get away on horseback after wounding Tuan in the leg.
The plot then switches to Xiao Dao (Alexander Fu Sheng), a wanderer and gambler who loses a big fortune at the local casino. In order to pay off his debt, he has no choice but to work there. Nonetheless, the lady owner Luo Jin Hua (Lily Li) takes a shine to him. One day, a famous courtesan Liu Yin Xu (Shih Szu) arrives at the town brothel situated behind the casino and before long, Tuan and Xiao Dao find themselves involved in her affairs. It turns out that she needs the assistance of both men to free her brother from jail, and she believes that the local doctor, Guo Tian Sheng is responsible.
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For viewers expecting a repeat of the greatness of “Avenging Eagle”, this production would be a disappointment. To begin with, there is more comedy here and less action but the characters, some with hidden secrets, are still appealing, colorful and intriguing. Predictably, Ti Lung is wonderful in portraying the rich, flamboyant and extremely arrogant swordsman Tuan Chang Qing, a proud individual who holds a grouch if anyone criticizes him. This is especially so as seen in his biting exchanges with courtesan Liu who seems to provoke him all the time. But when it comes to the action department, Ti is still the man.
Played by Alexander Fu Sheng, Xiao Dao (a nickname which means Little Dagger) is a nameless poor gambler who loves money and likes to toy with everyone. Due to this nature, the movie switches into comedy mode every time he appears on screen right down to his comical fight scenes. However, he is extremely likable and lives by a set of righteous principles which makes him a total contrast to the snobbish swordsman Tuan. Although Fu Sheng has to perform very much like a hyperactive clown for his slapstick routine, which no doubt he is really good at, the Hong Kong audiences seem to love it regardless. On the other hand, this switch in tone might even put off some viewers. In addition, he had an accident during shooting but they were able to finish the movie without much complications, most likely with the help of a double.
In a much laid back and no action role, Shih Szu plays Courtesan Liu Yin Xu and arrives late in the movie seeking revenge and justice for her brother and has an important part in manipulating the men against each other. Lily Li plays the casino lady who has a crush on Xiao Dao while Kara Hui also appears briefly flirting with him. In a nice tribute, Jenny Tseng, Fu Sheng's wife sings the theme song which actually describes the whole plot of the movie.
Interestingly, the character that stands out the most is the Throat Piercing Halberd, Lian San (Michael Chan Wai Man). Fatally wounded by Tuan in a duel, he seeks help from Guo Tian Sheng, Killer Doctor (Ku Feng) who skillfully removes the embedded metal from his wound. It soon becomes clear that besides saving his life, Guo has turned him into a completely new person with funky dyed hair and supernatural strength. The good doctor, as it turns out, is in fact a real wolf in sheep's clothing who manipulates his enemies and harbors a bunch of goons to do his dirty work.
With this production, Sun Chung seemed to be brunching into more comedy which actually works due to the comic performance of Fu Sheng. Thankfully, the last reel has Chan reappear as the reborn supercharged villain which immediately boosts the movie to another level with his fantastic fight against Tuan and Xiao Dao.
