The Delightful Forest by Chang Cheh and Pao Hseuh-li (1972)
5 May 2008A wonderful Shaw martial arts romp, staring the ever amazing Ti Lung. This film is enjoyable and totally bad ass. Really a must see. Great martial arts and an enjoyable story and amazing martial arts by the great Lau Kar Lung. And the character of Wu Sung which Ti Lung so expertly plays is memorable and like-able, really drawing you into this story. Well worth checking out, and really a must see.
Ti Lung plays Instructor Wu Sung, a widely renowned martial artist. His brother was killed by his unfaithful wife, who he hunted down and killed and in the opening scene kills the other man, and then gives himself up to authorities. He is taken by two guards who treat him well to head to prison, but on the way they stop at an inn, where the owner Witch Suen Er Niang, who drugs the wine, but Wu Sung is not tricked, and defeats her and her men while still in his kang. The husband of the Witch returns, and it is Zheng Ching who stops his wife, and Zheng and Wu Sung become fast friends, and promise they will help him if he ever needs it, but Wu Sung is honorable and heads off to prison. Wu Sung meets the Warden who wants to be bribed, but Wu Sun refuses, so he expects bad treatment, but is instead treated well, and doesn’t know why, but it turns out the warden’s son Shi En (Tien Ching) needs his help. His restaurant in a square called the Delightful Forest has been taken by a thug called Jian Jiang Min Sun, and he wants Wu Sung’s help in getting it back.
REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILER...
Wu Sung agrees, but on the condition that he be bought 3 bowls of wine at every store along the way. Shi En agrees, and Wu Sung gets roaringly drunk, which only makes him stronger, and he goes in and defeats Jian Min Sun and his men, and regaining the restaurant.
The Commissioner of the district calls to meet Wu Sung, and he goes there and is treated well, but it is a trap, as the Commissioner is a friend of Jiang Min Sun, and they plot to kill him. He is badly wounded, but still manages to kill Jiand and the Commissioner and escape.
Again a wanted man, Wu Sung heads to his friend Zheng Ching’s place and gets the uniform of a dead monk, so he can go into hiding under another identity.
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A wonderful and enjoyable film. Ti Lung is in top form under the tutelage of Lau Kar Lung, and really seems to have his superhuman martial arts skills. The cinematography is also top notch. As I said, a must see for any Shaw fan!
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