Guangzhou (Canton) born Chor Yuen studied Chemistry at the Sun Yat Sen University before getting into the Hong Kong film industry. He worked his way up and soon became a sought-after director. “Cold Blade” (1970) was his first wuxia film, and after joining Shaw Brother Studio in 1971, he directed “Duel for Gold” and then “Intimate Confessions of a Chinese Courtesan”. Chor’s adaptation of Gu Long‘s 17 novels from 1976 onwards into a series of swordplay wuxia films won him more recognitions, awards and international reputation.
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With “Bat Without Wings”, a film adapted from Huang Ying’s novel, Chor again brings us more wuxia mystery and detective thrills to the big screen but with a touch of horror. The film’s title refers to a notorious and highly skilled swordsman who rapes beautiful women and kills them. In order to stop him for good, twenty eight heroes of the martial arts world join forces and corner him at the Hungfa Temple. During the fierce battle that follows, they manage to kill the Bat but only two heroes survive.
Five years later, a mysterious man attacks and poisons the members of the Chung Yuan Security Bureau. He lures Lei Feng (Ouyang Pei Shan), Boss Xuan’s beautiful daughter, to an old temple and kills her. Furthermore, the attacker also wears the same outfit and makeup just like the heinous villain Bat Without Wings. Since his name appears in a letter which leads to Lei Feng’s fate, a handsome young swordsman Xiao Qi (Derek Yee) soon becomes a prime suspect in her murder case. After sorting out the misunderstanding, Boss Xuan (Wang Jung) and Lei’s fiancé, (Ku Kuan Chung) immediately team up with Xiao to solve the mystery return of the Bat.
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Compared to Chor’s works starring the great Ti Lung, this production is hardly a classic even though his touches are all there. Still, the set designs, the bright and colorful costumes and the huge Shaw Brothers indoor sets are the real showcases here. In addition, the horror elements are also a welcoming and spooky treat. Filled with smoke and flooded with moody colored lighting, the Bat’s huge underground cave looks rather sinister in its oddly charming way. Even though cheap looking, the labyrinth of secret passages and the Bamboo Island set are impressive. Top it off with deadly traps, poisonous ponds, lethal laughing gas, and it becomes evident that the wonderful set-pieces are fun to watch indeed.
There is lots of action, but mainly sword fights, as the trio of heroes venture their way through different locations. Although well choreographed by Tang Chia, the encounters somehow lack impact unfortunately. Basically, the combatants just jump or roll around, spinning in the air aimlessly while they cross swords. It is a letdown that the fights are pretty mediocre and nothing really stands out.
As the young and handsome swordsman Xiao Qi, Derek Yee looks the part in his purple and white silk outfits and headgear. However, his performance is rather bland and he seems to play it straight. Nonetheless, he would progress to become an acclaimed director later. That pretty much goes for both Wang Jung and Ku Kuan Chung too as they tag along with Yee’s character Xiao Qi as he investigates. Acting wise, there is nothing outstanding about them.
In contrast, veteran Ku Feng seems like having a great time chewing up the scenery in his over-the-top portrayal of the Bat Without Wings look-alike. A lascivious wuxia villain who looks like Gene Simmons, the bass guitarist of the American rock band KISS. Otherwise, he is the serious but greedy Sima Chung Yuan who lusts for the real Bat’s hidden treasure. Elsewhere, Ching Li plays Sima Dong Cheng, the clueless poor daughter of Sima whose role is too under-written. The attractive Ouyang Pein Shan appears briefly but ismemorable as Lei Feng. The usually suave looking Tang Ching also turns up as a madman with funky crazy hair.
Besides having a great collection of colorful and crazy characters, “Bat Without Wings” has its fair share of mystery, campiness and highly imaginative set-pieces. Aside from the extremely complicated plot, the production looks great and atmospheric. Unfortunately, the main leads or heroes are not compelling enough to hold one’s attention but the horror element is a nice touch.
Chor Yuen has definitely done much better films based on Gu Lung’s stories in the late 70s. Nonetheless, this is a reasonably fun ride in its goofy way. It is the journey that counts in this case.
