IRON BODYGUARD 1973 FROM VCD ORIGINAL

IRON BODYGUARD (1973) - INDONESIAN SUBTITLES Directed By : CHANG CHEH - PAO HSUEH LI Starring : CHEN KUAN TAI - LI HSIU HSIEN - YUEH HUA - LILY LI - LU TI - TUNG LIN - CHIANG TAO - CHIANG NAN - BETTY - KU WEN CHUNG Chang Cheh #39;s #34;The Iron Bodyguard #34; is a historical drama set in China in the 1890 #39;s. When well regarded bodyguard Wang Wu (Chen Kuan Tai,) is aided in defeating Iron Fist Yen, by a reformist scholar, Tan Si Tong(Yueh Hua,) the two become close friends. Driven by friendship and patriotism, Wang Wu begins saving reformist court officials when the Empress Dowager Tsu-Hzi orders their execution without trial. Si Tong is eventually captured by the imperial army, and Wang Wu plans to rescue him on the way to the execution ground, confiding in one of the imperial officials to help him with the ambush. Wang Wu is ultimately double crossed by the official, and shot many times while escaping the melee on horseback. With his escort company wiped out by the imperial army, he must rely on the help of the beautiful Lily Li and a band of thieves to hide, heal his wounds, and prepare for the final showdown with the men who betrayed him. Chen is marvelous in his role, and uses his excellent martial arts skills to bring Tang Chia and Lau Kar Leung #39;s choreography to a level previously unreached in Shaw Brothers films. Where #34;Iron Bodyguard #34; comes up short is that in a drama about loyalty, the inter-character relationships feel under developed, and as an action movie, the fights are too few and far between. It never reaches the high drama and sweeping grandeur of an early Shaw Brothers swordplay movie, and can #39;t really compare on the excitement tip with Chang Cheh #39;s movies to come. However, #34;Iron Bodyguard #34; is an interesting transitional piece, and promises plenty of fun for the die-hard Shaw Brothers fan.