Zen and Sense in King Hu's Films

Film Screenings


The Bells of Death

Dir: Griffin Yueh Feng
Scr: Chiu Kangchien
Cast: Chin Ping, Chang Yi, Lam Kau, Tien Shun, Ku Feng
1968 / Colour / D Beta / Mandarin / Chi & Eng Subtitles / 84min

Written by Chiu Kangchien and apparently a remake of western Nevada Smith (1966), The Bells of Death was a revenge story of a youth on three perpetrators who killed his family. Yueh employed many elements on characterization and imagery to make it a stylish standout from the original. Kidnap of the youth’s sister stressed on the demonic side of the villains. The bells from his dead mother’s bracelet created the sound of revenge to add on the mysterious and action-packed atmosphere. The short takes combined with hand-held camera, empty establish and multi-point-of view shots, and sharp editing created a vivid kaleidoscope fusing the style of Spaghetti Westerns and Samurai movies in the 60s. It was a trend-setting exercise by Yueh and his cinematographer Pao Hsuehli, no less than their counterpart Chang Cheh and Yukio Miyaki.

© Licensed by Celestial Pictures Limited. All rights reserved.

19/9 (Fri) 7:30pm Cinema, Hong Kong Film Archive  

The contents of the programme do not represent the views of the presenter.
The presenter reserves the right to change the programme should unavoidable circumstances make it necessary.