What a waste of my time!!!

Really Surprised!

Purely Joyful Movie!

At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

HAVE SWORD WILL TRAVEL is one of the earliest Shaw Brothers films featuring the classic 'iron triangle' of youthful stars David Chiang and Ti Lung alongside Shaw's best director, Chang Cheh. Be warned, this is more of a character piece than an action movie, given that the only real action is at the opening and the climax, but for once the non-action bits are just as engaging as the swordplay.Ti Lung and Ching Li play a betrothed couple who become involved in protecting an upstanding lord's valuables. Unfortunately the lord has been left weak and a ruthless bandit leader, played by studio regular Ku Feng, has designs on the shipment. He sets up an ambush, at which point the wandering swordsman hero David Chiang comes into play. What follows is beautifully-shot and involving, with Lung playing a pretty unpleasant character while Li holds things together through her charm. Chiang is typically excellent throughout. The lavish, lengthy climax offers all the bloodshed, fine choreography, and heroism you've been waiting for.

Not surprisingly due to the title, this Shaw Brothers film features TONS of magnificent swordplay. In fact, it's among the best of the genre when it comes to the choreography in the fight scenes--it's top notch. And, while I am not a huge fan of 'wire-fu' (making characters fly about in impossible ways using invisible wires and lifts), these were also handled well. The only shortcoming is a typical one--as the plot is a bit simple and the characters a bit one-dimensional...or at least most of them.Master Ying Ke-Feng is an incredible swordsman--so incredible that he's entrusted with the job of transporting silver. However, what his enemies don't yet know is that he is ill and cannot do the job. So, he has his two best students, Siang (who is a bit of an idiot) and Piau Piau lead the procession. Not surprisingly, there are a group of baddies (the Flying Tiger gang) who plan on intercepting the shipment. The balance could be shifted one way or the other if an amazing swordsman, Lo (David Chiang), joins either side. As for the baddies, they are quite eager to procure his services. But Lo is a terrific guy--and seems very captivated by the beautiful Piau Piau. What will happen in the end? Yup...a giant free-for-all battle between good and evil! Throughout most of the movie, Siang behaves stupidly--distrusting and mistreating poor 'ol Lo at every turn. This became a bit tiresome after a while, but the initial one-upsmanship scene between them (involving candles and chopsticks) is a classic--and a lot of fun to watch. Perhaps this is because Siang is also in love with Piau Piau and is worried Lo might put the moves on her. All I know is that it's hard not to like Lo--and pretty easy to dislike Siang--even if he is playing for the good guys. Overall, the film works exceptionally well because Lo is a cool character (with some depth) and the fight scenes are done so well. This one packs a few surprises at the end as well--making it a must-see for lovers of the genre.

Before Ti Lung and David Chiang and Chang Cheh gave us DUEL OF THE IRON FIST, there was HAVE SWORD, WILL TRAVEL. We're introduced to Lung as he attempts to woo the lady Li. He's interrupted by some pesky members of the Flying Tiger Clan, but he casually dispatches them as he puts OTHER moves on Ms. Li. Chiang, meanwhile, is accosted when he tries to enter a seven-story pagoda to rest for the night: it's inhabited by members of- surprise- The Flying Tiger Clan, and they don't want him around. He, too, proves too much for the gang but moves on of his own accord. Lung and Chiang bump into each other and have a brief but inconclusive encounter... during which Chiang and Li lock eyes and, well... The trio effectively becomes a triangle at that point. Later, when Chiang arrives at Lung's Invincible Village still looking for a place to bed down for the night, Lung attempts to impress Chiang by turning a chopstick into a PAIR of chopsticks with one stroke of his sword. Chiang, rising to the challenge, splits a chopstick into THREE separate chopsticks with a single thrust... Needless to say, these guys are GOOD swordsmen. In Akira Kurosawa's THE HIDDEN FORTRESS, a hidden fortune is transported by the surviving princess of a fallen House and her bodyguard (Toshiro Mifune). Here, the shipment is to be watched over by Lung and Chiang (who volunteers, after putting two and two together and being threatened with death, though his volunteering has nothing whatsoever to do with fear of Death). In an interesting sequence, Chiang has a vision of his own death and its aftermath (which happens to come true). Although many of Chang Cheh's movies end abruptly, HAVE SWORD, WILL TRAVEL allows for a longer and more poignant resolution. There's a GAME OF DEATH type of ascension to the top of the pagoda and the often slow motion Finale prefigures the ending of DUEL OF THE IRON FIST (with Chiang, at one point, sporting more arrows than a pin-cushion). Just one of the many reasons why I think Easterns are better than Westerns.

Have Sword Will Travel (1969) is another blood soaked tale featuring two of the Shaw Brothers biggest stars (David Chiang and Lung Ti). This costume piece from China is about a royal carriage train being guarded from a group of bandits. Lung Ti is appointed to lead the train. Along the way, a savage band of thieves will stop at nothing to steal the imperial silver. Lung Ti's fiancée is along for the trip. Following the train is a lone knight (David Chiang) who arouses Lung's suspicions. But a strange friendship and triangle forms between the three characters.After being attacked by a crazed mute assassin (Wang Chung) and having the entire train nearly sacked. Lung Ti chases the villains to a giant tower armed with scores of swordsmen and archers. Lung storms the tower and hacks his way to the top. Chiang witnessing such bravery shakes away visions of a love that'll never be joins Lung in his mission to kill the leader of thieves. In a selfless act, Chiang saves the life of Lung and takes out the remaining thieves in a blood drenched act of courage and bravery. He sacrifices his life so his friend and fiancée can live their lives out whilst he dies in honor.One of the best action films I have ever scene. The well directed action scenes and blood letting alone recommends this Shaw Brothers classic. But watch the newly restored version released by Celestial Pictures.Highly recommended!