The Oath of Death (1971)
Three Sung loyalists decide to become blood brothers to fight the tyranny of the Tartar invaders. They build a stronghold and christen it 'The Flying Dragon Fortress' up in the hills. Gathering together a devoted army of followers, the three brothers wage war against the Tartar defense. Desiring to oust the oppressors altogether, Ma Ching plans to coerce an ally, Hong Zhang Chung to release the kidnapped Tartar princess in what initially seems a strategic and civil effort to gain points with the court. Not long after, it soon becomes apparent Ma desires both a great position and power and is willing to sacrifice anything and anyone to get it.
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Although it has its amusing moments, in eneral the plot does not convince.
The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful
The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.
Through painfully honest and emotional moments, the movie becomes irresistibly relatable
In OATH OF DEATH, three Sung heroes, Jin (Lo Lieh), Ma (Shen Chan) and Xiang (Frankie Wei), vow to work together against the Tartars. "For a Heavenly cause, we must march into Hell if need be," Ma says. He is a master with the whip; Xiang, the bow and arrow; and Jin the sword. Lo Lieh as Jin is at his steely-eyed lone wolf best in OATH OF DEATH. Ma comes up with the brilliant idea of infiltrating the Tartar army by kidnapping and then "rescuing" a Tartar princess. He promises his new lord and master that he'll destroy the Flying Dragon Fortress (of which he and his two companions are members). Ma summons his two buddies to the Tartar stronghold. En route, they run into the beautiful (and oh-so-sexy) Miss Yi. She seduces Xiang, but Jin doesn't trust her (probably because she comes on to HIM as well). Xiang marries Yi. When they arrive at now-General Ma's fortress, he puts them up for the night. Xiang suddenly falls deathly ill. Ma beds Yi, and Jin finds out- but, when he tries to warn Xiang, Yi accuses Jin of "accosting" her. Naturally, Xiang believes his wife. This leads to even more strife. The blood DO spray in OATH OF DEATH, but it never comes close to overshadowing the story or the characters (all played to the hilt, if you will, by an excellent ensemble). Highly recommended.