To say that George Lucas’ 1977 “Star War” copied and borrowed some styles and ideals of King Hu’s 1967 masterpiece “Dragon Inn” is probably right: A preface of introductory info, then leave everything else to action. Director Hu had said this movie is not a Wuxia movie (sword fighting genre in Chinese movie history), but an action movie in period clothe, which is exactly correct. The hero in traditional Wuxia movies always comes from certain sword school and learned from a famous master. The relationship of master-disciple is very important in a Wuxia world. The hero in this movie, Xiao Shao Tzu, is a master-less, smiling happy-go-lucky swordsman (sounds like Han Solo, huh?). The fighting scene in a small space of tavern was also borrowed by “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” 33 years later.
What I liked about this movie is the details of the director’s command of everything: The watchful eyes of his actors, the misty morning light, the silhouette of people in sunrise, the sea clouds in the mountains. It’s rare to see these poetic beauties in any other action movies. Many interesting and innovative concepts were used: fight movement employed Chinese Opera choreography, but faster and with quick-cut editing; the use of Chinese Opera instruments, tautly beats of drums and gongs on fighter’s footsteps, created the beauty of dancing and musicality in the fighting sequence.