SnoReptilePlenty
Memorable, crazy movie
StyleSk8r
At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.
Leofwine_draca
THE BELLS OF DEATH is one of the earlier swordplay movies made by the Shaw Brothers studio. It's not one of their best works but I found it better paced than THE ASSASSIN made during the same period, for example. The director is clearly influenced by Japanese samurai cinema which makes the action scenes and staging quite unique at times; they do stand out compared to the norm.The story is sparse and familiar, although stylishly told. Chang Yi's family is wiped out by bandits in the opening massacre scene, leading him on a path of revenge. There's plenty of action to keep the narrative moving along nicely along with bloody effects that make this a sometimes comic-book style romp. Chin Ping simpers in a damsel-in-distress type role, but the likes of Ku Feng shine as the oily villains and it's a pleasure to see bit parts for Wu Ma and Sammo Hung.
gmda
No one seems to realize that this is an Asian Remake of 1966's NEVADA SMITH with Steve McQueen. The guy with the big nose in this movie is the KARL MALDEN character, but he dies second instead of last. So story liberties were liberally taken to retell it to an Asian audience. But then the Magnificent Seven and Fistful of dollars are Asian Stories, retold for Western audiences!!! Turn about is fair play, I guess.To review the film. The copy I saw looked like it was filmed yesterday. Beautifully sparse landscape at the beginning. Where lots of other Shaw Films were made. Then I noticed the Western sounding Music. Three riders come upon a home and slaughter a family, an older child returns home, and vows vengeance. He hunts them down, one at a time.Still I enjoyed the flick as it was very differently put together. But it is none-the-less, NEVADA SMITH.
boazdror
Don't believe the last reviewer, or else you might find yourself missing out on a great "eastern" western. I rented the celestial remastered DVD of this movie and enjoyed the heck out of it. To think that the low star count given by the guy before me had me dreading this film: after seeing it I'm a bit upset at how a person can review this film with so little respect. It's unlike any of the other films made around this time, and it's so beautifully shot that the cinematography alone is worth your time. Made in 1968, this is easily one of the more brooding, unique swordplay films in the Celestial/IVL library. If you liked THE ASSASSIN and ONE ARMED SWORDSMAN, you'll like this film. The look is unique and the experience is a good one. Especially memorable are little flourishes: the director has a different take on the macho swordsman theme than the other directors in the Shaw stable, which makes the film a refreshing change of pace from Chang Cheh and Chu Yuan flicks. Worth a purchase? In my opinion, yes. Worth a look? Definitely.
CitizenCaine
Translated as Bells Of Death, this is a typical martial arts type movie. It's a low budget effort with poor dubbing, poor sound effects, poor script, poor cinematography, non-acting, and not that much fighting in the form of martial arts. It's just a bunch of sword fighting, without style and grace. One can see similar fighting in any pirate movie. The acting is what you would expect in a martial arts movie from 1968: not good. Some of the camera angles are poor and are obscured by the sun at times. The story is a typical martial arts one of revenge for murdering one's family. The survivor or relative then exacts revenge in systematic fashion. Nothing new here, nor is it done in an interesting or exciting fashion. There is much more blood and gore than usual for a martial arts film, although the blood effects, at times, are obviously fake. Watching this movie is a huge waste of time. 0 of 4 stars.
