The Blade
(Dao)

The orphan Ding On works at the foundry. When he finally discovers the identity of the talented and cruel assassin who killed his father, his sole wish is to wreak revenge. But during his search, he loses an arm. Refusing to lay down the other, he teaches himself a highly original ancestral combat technique… With its blade-sharp style, this rebellious film, made of sound and fury and splendid chiaroscuro, is undoubtedly not only the finest modern accomplishment of wu xia pan but also a remake in honour of Chang Cheh’s classic, One-Armed Swordsman. While Tsui Hark’s oeuvre is full of stories that stage master-apprentice duos, here it is the apprentice who has to learn to become his own master. MM