Overview: One of the last films produced at Hong Kong’s legendary Shaw Brothers studio, and absolutely one of their finest - a visually ravishing and erotically charged story of a free-spirited female poet Yu (Patricia Ha, Nomad) who, frustrated by the conservative times in which she lives, refuses to behave in the ways nice young ladies are supposed to.

Despite plentiful clothes-off action, this is so much more than a soft-core romp, boasting an artistic ambition that Shaw Brothers didn’t always show in their kung fu movies.

Directed with intelligence and real style by Eddie Fong Ling-ching, this is one of the major films from Hong Kong’s Golden Age. 88 Films are proud to present this sensual masterpiece in the UK for the first time on Blu-ray.

Blu-ray Verdict: In all truth, the sex scenes are not as plentiful as one might assume but they are very sensual and surprisingly tastefully shot. Since this is Shaw Brothers the sets and costumes are of high quality and there’s also some well-done Swordplay action thrown into the mix to keep things fresh.

Plot wise this one feels pretty aimless and disjointed and the final act is pretty wild and rather unexpected. Interestingly enough this did not really hurt my enjoyment of the film. It had a weird dreamy flow that surprisingly held my attention for the entire time.

The meticulously crafted script, driven by a powerfully emotive story of love and loss, desire and defiance, is transcribed by astounding cinematography into a rich visual tapestry of the cultural milieu and of Tang Dynasty China. Yu Xuanji (played by the shockingly beautiful Pat Ha) is a freethinking Taoist priestess uninhibited by oppressive environments. But her transgressions, including a destructive affair with a wandering swordsman and a dalliance with her maid, doom her to a tragic end.

In conclusion, this is a surprisingly beautiful film. The art direction and production design are gorgeous. The cinematography is also lovely. There’s a handful of particularly beautiful almost poetic shots that almost look like paintings from a by gone era.

Bonus Features:
High Definition (1080p) Presentation in 2.35:1 Aspect Ratio
Trailer
2.0 DTS-HD MA Cantonese Soundtrack with newly translated English Subtitles
Limited Edition O-ring
Stills Gallery
Limited Edition Set of 4 collectors art cards

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