RENDEZVOUS WITH DEATH is a martial world story that director Sun Chung made for the Shaw Brothers studio. It's not quite a masterpiece but it is very good and better than average thanks to the action-packed storyline that favours betrayal, bloodshed and mayhem over long-winded court intrigue and plotting. Wong Yue, in a rare straight role, plays a courier who is tasked by Ku Feng's royal official with transporting a mysterious cargo cross-country. Along the way he meets many villains and many allies, chief of whom is the great Lo Lieh playing a beggar character. Chen Kuan Tai also appears as an arrogant nobleman. A lot of mystery is evolved from character origins so you're never quite sure who's on Wong Yue's side and who's against him. After many twists the plot finally resolves itself. The film boasts a strong visual sense and some of the finest set constructions I've seen in a Shaw film. The ruined temple at the opening, complete with the massive reclining Buddha statue and pillars, is exceptional, as is the working water wheel at the climax. The action doesn't boast top notch choreography, but it is fast and furious and features many guest actors showing up to take part: Johnny Wang Lung Wei is a chef-cum-assassin, Yuen Wah the 'poison scholar', Chan Shen a scarred old man. Overall, this is a fast and frenetic tale that doesn't disappoint.
Add a Review
-
Leofwine_draca18 February 2018
-
Filmfandave20 September 2010I saw this when it was playing at the cinema in 1980. More than 20 years later the IVL DVD is in my collection. One of Sun Chung's best works, on par with his other masterpieces like THE AVENGING EAGLE (1978) and HUMAN LANTERNS (1982). Other of his commendable works in the same genre are JUDGEMENT OF AN ASSASSIN (1977) and the cult classic, unavailable on any home entertainment format, TO KILL A MASTERMIND (1979).
The plot blends wuxia and martial arts with mystery about a mercenary swordsman (Wang Yu) on a secret mission to deliver a valuable box, of which contents are confidential, owned by a prince (Ku Feng) to Xi An.
Danger follows him throughout his 30-day journey as the news about the Prince's offering a handsome amount of reward for whoever can deliver the package safely has spread out among swordsmen of the martial arts world. Before finally arriving in the town to hand over the box to the Prince, the mercenary swordsman must face- off not only dozens of other swordsmen intending to sabotage the delivery and get the reward but also uncover a devious plan behind the mission. Thus, bloodshed ensues and victims fall as the tension mounts. Realizing that the mission is a decoy, he decides to put an end to it and confront the traitor even at the expense of his life.
Chen Kuan Tai plays a master swordsman on the same trail of the delivery as is Lo Lieh, playing as a master beggar and other Shaw Bros regulars - all with unique villainous characters. Even Wang Lung Wei and Venoms supporting cast Yang Siung (most memorable roles are as the Brass Head in THE KID WITH THE GOLDEN ARM, Iron Fist in THE REBEL INTRUDERS,and the giant club-wielding fighter in SHAOLIN RESCUERS) have a cameo appearance as the antagonists.
The production design is artistic - from an abandoned Buddhist temple in the opening scene to a run-down watermill in the climax.
The fight choreography is good, though not as impressive as that of the Venoms, and uses some slow motion shots at effective moments.
One thing worth mentioning is Wang Yu's weapon to fend off his assailants, an iron umbrella with razor-sharp spokes, which also holds a sword in its handle. Weird but cool.
For fans of Sun Chung's works for Shaw Brothers, RENDEZVOUS WITH DEATH (1980) comes highly recommended. -
skullfire-4801223 April 2019A great Shaw brothers film, great plot, great action, what more can you ask for? I could easily watch this movie many times over.
-
poe4261 March 2013RENDEZVOUS WITH DEATH opens with "Miserable" Xinsuan (Wong Yu) lounging around the ruins of an ancient temple. Hanging above the remains of a fire are four rats. Moments later, four two-legged rodents ("The Four Killers") arrive. They've been invited to the temple by Xin himself for the express purpose of killing them. Knowing that they've been summoned by prince Yan (Ku Feng) to deliver something of great importance- and wanting to make a name for himself in the martial arts world by doing such a deed himself-, Xin kills the four and takes their heads to Yang as proof of his prowess. He's given a package to deliver and, on the way to his destination, he runs into an endless variety of characters who want to see to it that HE doesn't finish his task (think the ORIGINAL version of the Walter Hill classic THE WARRIORS, with colorfully-clad gangs roaming the darkness). He also encounters Gu (Chen Kuan-tei), whose staff is really a spear with a detachable tip. Gu wields his weapon like a real pro (or, rather, like a true martial arts expert). Xin himself carries an umbrella with a sword in the handle. When Xin arrives at an inn, he's attacked by a meat cleaver-wielding Wang Lung-wei and ends up befriending Beggar Yang (Lo Lieh), who saves his life when he's ambushed at a gravesite and poisoned. There are some good fight scenes throughout, and the film as a whole has a dark, mysterious ambiance worthy of its storyline. Outstanding filmmaking.