Maengsu (1969) User Reviews (3)

Men Zoo (1969)

[jddog130 · 5/10 · 15 June 2015]

This Korean films original Chinese (English) title is "Men Zoo" aka "Hurricane Sword" aka "Master of the Sword". The video I have is a Venom Mob Films presents Old Skool Killaz video titled Master of the Sword". Funny thing, I ordered Hurricane Sword thinking I was getting the 1972 film aka Treasure Castle aka Devil Spider but ended up with this instead.

I was a bit confused when this movie started. The opening credits said " Starring Chen Saukei and Li Tai Shing and directed by William Sun. OK... I'm confused... even after looking up these unfamiliar names and come up with nothing. If someone could explain I would love to listen.

Starring Sa Mi-Ja and Lee Dae-Yeob and directed by Lim Won-Sik , the movie starts out with an old man running and a bunch of thugs chasing him. This is when we meet the blind orphan Elaine (Sa Mi-Ja), who woops some ass on the thugs. Basically this story is about Elaine's journey when she learns that her mother (that abandoned her when she was very young) may still be alive, and to revenge the murder of her uncle (or caretaker).

On her quest, Elaine meets a new master (Lee Dae-Yeob) who trains her (she was already pretty good) to become a skilled swords-woman. She later finds herself up against a Madam (with a spinning bladed ball on a chain) and a brutal crime lord.

The story is pretty good but the fight choreography isn't the greatest. I found it to be fairly entertaining and those that are classic fu fans should like it, I mean, it is from '69.

Show me the Tae Kwan Do instead

[ckormos1 · 4/10 · 15 August 2015]

1969 Hurricane Sword or Men Zoo or Birds of Prey or A Fierce Animal 1969 South Korea "Sword of the Master" is the title on the video. An old guy runs away from assassins and is saved by a blind girl. Her character is very similar to The Red Bat Japanese movies. She even has a similar sword. She starts to explain her life story to him then there is a confusing flashback. He reminds her of her Uncle Louie who died by the sword. So our female swordfighter's goal is to find the killer of her uncle and her long lost mother. There is more to the drama than that as it also involves her sword teacher but like the fights the drama isn't going anywhere. In 1969 most movies had poor fight sequences especially with swords. Yet some movies had excellent fights. This is not one of those movies. The fights are cheats shot too close, too far, or leave too many frames to the imagination. Curiously the stunt men handled katanas and handled them well. The actors clearly did not know which end of a sword to hold. This is the oldest South Korean martial arts movie I have ever come across and it was by accident. I have tremendously enjoyed the country's recent output. The roots are not that interesting, it seems they just copied all the other movies of the era, yawn. I am almost certain Sonny Chiba is not in this movie.

Great and Touching film

[Angel_Meiru · 13 November 2004]

"Hurricane Sword" is about a girl that was blinded in an accident triumphing in swordplay. On her way, she hears about the mother that left her behind is still alive from her uncle. Alas, a tragedy happens and the heroine of the film wants justice, and tries to save her friends from Prostitution and a gang of mad swordsmen, led by no one other than Sonny Chiba.

Pretty well done film and a likable heroine. You can actually feel for her and she is more human than a lot of Hollywood heroines. Though she is blind, the woman tries not to let that get into her way of her meaningful quest.

I recommend you sit down and watch this film. You may just like it.