Plot Details: This opinion reveals minor details about the movie's plot.

The One-Armed Swordsman (Dubei Dao) (1967) Directed by Chang Cheh

When Master Chi Ju Feng (Feng Tien) is attacked by a rival sword school master known only Long Armed Devil (Yang Chih-Ching) his life is saved by the daring sacrifice of his servant.  His dieing wish was that the master raises his son, Fang Kang (Want Yu).

And he did.  Fang kept his father's broken sword, his only tie to the past. And while Fang Kang was not his highest ranked pupil, he was definitely his most talented.  This created jealousy among the higher stationed, but less talented boys at the school.

Consumed by petty jealousies, they work to make Fang's life unpleasant.  Joining them is Chi Pei-er, the daughter of the Master.  As his only child, she has been indulged, taught the sword, and is something of a spoiled princess.  She likes Fang, but acts like an imperious brat towards him.  He does not have much use for her.

While the master is away, the students decide to teach Fang a lesson.  They challenge him to meet them in the woods at midnight.  The master returns, and squelches the unruliness.

But the four keep their rendezvous.  Fang decides that the pettiness will never end, and for the peace of the school, it would be best if he left.  His only purpose in going was to tell them that.

But they won't be happy until Fang beats them.  He does one of the boys, but won't hit the Master's daughter with a sword, settling for hand to hand.  But Pei-er is not to be bested, and after being knocked on her bum, she lashes out with her sword, cutting off Fang's right arm.

Horrified, Fang stumbles into the night and snow, eventually passing out from blood loss.  Timing is everything, and he falls off a bridge into the boat of Hsaio Man (Chaio Chaio) who takes him home and nurses him back to health.

Master and the guilty trio think Fang fell to his death in the frigid water, over come by shock and blood loss.

Fang recovers, physically.  But his mentals are another matter.  But Hsaio Man has a legacy from her own murdered father; a partial book of sword fighting techniques.  What remains is for left handed fighting with a short sword.  And the two feet that remain of his father's blade are perfect.

Meanwhile, Long Arm has not been idle.  He has perfected a fighting technique designed to defeat the Chi Golden Sword style.  And it does.  The master, and all he has worked for are threatened with extinction and his greatest student is a cripple.

The Analysis

This film has many of the classical elements of Wuxia; Brotherhood, Loyalty, Duty, Revenge, and Romance.  It combines the elements of the virtuous student versus slackers, and honorable warriors versus the forces of Pride and Wrath.

It is also a fine tale of romance, where the sensible student is faced with a choice between the humble and nurturing Hsaio Man and the beautiful and spoiled Pei-er.

The sets and costuming are fine, very classic for the martial arts epics of the period, and the film set the standards for many of the movies that followed through out the 70's.

But beyond the wonderful Martial Arts, and copious blood (Chang Cheh is called the Ketchup Director) this story has a wonderful message, of overcoming adversity.  While Kang may feel sorry for himself, he does not become bitter, but instead learns to make do with what he has, to figure out what he CAN do, and do it well.

Nor is it all about the martial arts, but the story of the relationship between Fang Tang and Hsaio Man is also an important part of the story, and drives much of the action, elevating it above a Chop Socky flick.

All in all, this is a very enjoyable film, definitely dated to the time and genre of its creation but standing head and shoulders above the rest.   

This review like Fang Kang is Lean-N-Mean at 666 concise words.  It is part of my Everybody was Kung Fu Fighting! Write Off.

Recommended: Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Fit for Friday Evening
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older