How Chor Yuen’s forgotten Hong Kong wuxia films mixed magic realism and complex heroes
Chor Yuen’s Duel for Gold, Clans of Intrigue and Jade Tiger may be less famous than some of his other films, but are just as groundbreaking
Recently, however, a number of his rarer titles were made widely available again. Below we look at a few of his lesser-known wuxia gems.
Duel for Gold (1971)
Chor had only one martial arts film to his credit, Cold Blade, before joining Shaw Brothers in 1970. He had previously established himself by directing around 70 dramas and romances, many of which achieved both commercial success and critical acclaim.
Chor’s later contributions to the genre were distinctive. Often adapting the literary works of Taiwanese novelist Gu Long, he established a reputation for intelligent, character-driven wuxia films that were atmospheric without being too fantastical.
While this early wuxia lacks the stylistic hallmarks of his later works, it is expertly crafted and shows Chor’s storytelling efficiency.
Like most martial arts films, it features an array of protagonists and antagonists. Yet Chor keeps the narrative lean, excluding anything that might divert the viewer’s attention from the central plot.