Plot: A bounty hunter, an assassin and a bandit in 1930s Manchuria chase a treasure map, also pursued by nomads and the Japanese army.
This is essentially a Western set in 1930s China, clearly derivative of the spaghetti Westerns, yet leavened with Asian oddness (a standout scene features a gunfight involving the giant bronze helmet from an antiquated diving suit). It's visually interesting, with the gunfights demonstrating a (clownish) humour and complexity rarely matched in the West. Unfortunately it falls down on the characters who are little more than archetypes - which would be fine if the movie didn't go on too long (the secret to exploitation cinema being not to over stay your welcome or else the cracks will show). There is also a problem of pacing - this being a nearly non stop chase movie - because of the lack of highs and lows in many scenes. Too many of them are just one action moment after another (notably the final chase in which all the warring factions come together) which only serves to exhaust the viewer. A lack of emotional connection with the protagonists and a too-long running time undermine what is otherwise a rather fun and wacky adventure with an unusual setting.
Worth one viewing.
This is essentially a Western set in 1930s China, clearly derivative of the spaghetti Westerns, yet leavened with Asian oddness (a standout scene features a gunfight involving the giant bronze helmet from an antiquated diving suit). It's visually interesting, with the gunfights demonstrating a (clownish) humour and complexity rarely matched in the West. Unfortunately it falls down on the characters who are little more than archetypes - which would be fine if the movie didn't go on too long (the secret to exploitation cinema being not to over stay your welcome or else the cracks will show). There is also a problem of pacing - this being a nearly non stop chase movie - because of the lack of highs and lows in many scenes. Too many of them are just one action moment after another (notably the final chase in which all the warring factions come together) which only serves to exhaust the viewer. A lack of emotional connection with the protagonists and a too-long running time undermine what is otherwise a rather fun and wacky adventure with an unusual setting.
Worth one viewing.