Golden Swallow (1987)
A poor scholar named Lo Chih-Chiu, played by Anthony Wong Yiu-Ming, rescues a swallow from three mischievous boys, and frees the bird afterward. The bird then magically takes the form of a beautiful lady named Hsiao-Hseuh, played by Cherie Chung, who falls in love with the scholar because he had saved her life. She returns the deed by rescuing him from a ruthless band of warlords. She and her sister, Hsiao-Shang, are both originally swallows, but can change into human forms due to witchcraft and wizardry. Hsiao-Hseuh later confronts Chih-Chiu, and later reveals she is a servant of an evil witch queen, who feeds on human blood. When the witch discovers their friendship and bond, she was on the verge of destroying him, but Hsiao-Hseuh pleads for his life in exchange for their separation. After being back in the custody of the witch queen, Hsiao-Hseuh sneaks out and reunites with Chih-Chiu, but posing as a different person to hide her identity.
Watch Trailer
Cast
Reviews
the audience applauded
Just what I expected
Good concept, poorly executed.
There is, somehow, an interesting story here, as well as some good acting. There are also some good scenes
This Hong Kong period film was one of my favorites when I was a kid. I remembered being in awe seeing Cherie Chung, whom I was used to seeing star in comedies and romance films, appear as the lead female elf, Hsiao-Hsueh. While in her original form, a swallow, she was rescued by poor scholar named Lo Chih-Chiu (Anthony Wong) and later reveals to him in her demon form that she is a servant of an evil witch queen (Ivy Ling) that feeds on human blood. When the witch discovers Hsiao-Hseuh and Chih-Chiu's relationship, she nearly kills him but ultimately spares his life on the condition that Hsiao-Hseuh and Chih-Chiu separate. However, shortly after, Hsiao-Hseuh escapes the witch's lair and reunites with Chih-Chiu, disguised as another human being with a different name.I know many people think this film references a lot of elements from the more popular A Chinese Ghost Story, which I haven't seen before this one. But, I've still enjoyed this film immensely, watching it repeatedly and being entertained by all the fantasy elements, from the flying and frost-spewing Hsiao-Hseuh rescuing Chih-Chiu from evil warlords to the warrior Feng Cheng-Tien's (Norman Chu) ongoing battle with the witch queen. All the actions were highlighted in believable and great special effects and the story flows rather well. The music soundtrack was quite haunting and rather catchy, despite the 80s-themed toned to some of the music.The chemistry between Hsiao-Hseuh and Chih-Chiu was a nice touch of drama and their relationship being threatened and forbidden by the witch queen gave the plot suspense. Even more suspenseful was Hsiao-Hseuh's courageous defiance of the witch in trying to fend off her more powerful magic to to save Chih-Chiu, as well as the love-hate relationship between Hsiao-Hseuh and her sister, Hsiao-Shuang (Annie Ngai). Just seeing the elves flying around using their long silk sashes as weapons is an awesome fantasy element. Rounding off the cast is the dueling warrior brothers, Hsiang Yu (Richard Ng) and Hsiang Tso (Eric Tsang), who provided much of the comic relief in the film.***spoiler ahead, ending is given away*** The scene where the witch queen deals the death blow to Hsiao-Shuang has always haunted me, and the scene where Hsiao-Hseuh returns to her original form gave the film a rather bitter-sweet ending. Also, I've wished the the warrior Feng was given more screen time, and more chances to punch around that witch queen. ***spoiler ends*** Overall, this fantasy movie holds up quite well through time and still serves as good entertainment for me. It may not be equal in quality to A Chinese Ghost Story, but, it's still a great film. It's even among my dad's favorite Hong Kong films.Grade A-
This film actually has a lot going for it. The story is very good and apart from the references to 'A Chinese Ghost Story' it also reminds me of 'Green Snake' (and Hebridean Selkie tales). The photography is stunning (if a little over filtered at times) and makes use of some lovely locations. And all the actors are good except unfortunately for the lead male Anthony Wong Yiu Ming who looks amateurish next to Eric Tsang and Richard Ng. Norman Chu could have been used more and the wonderful Ivy Ling Po is hamming it up, but to great effect. To my mind Cherie Chung works well in this as the 'demon' who develops a heart. The ending seems just right to me. Like Green Snake it scores a few good points on gender politics (not quite as strong as Bride with White Hair 2, but along the same lines). If only ... well Anthony Wong is still making films. The music is 80's electronic pop and not to my taste. Worth watching but don't expect a classic.
It's really bad; slightly better if charged by 80's HK standard. The major problem with this movie is that it's a Chinese Ghost Story wannabe. It came out within one year of that instant classic and looked like it was rushed to capitalize on the fad. I didn't even know this movie existed until one day I chanced upon a HK/Asian kung fu cinema site and found a 4 star (out of 4) review of this film. The reviewer praises everything about the movie, equating it on par with Chinese Ghost Story, especially the orchestral score, except the leads. I think he might have seen an import version of the movie because of all the bad things about this movie, the score was the worst! It wasn't orchestral, it was synthesizer music, very 80's, very cheesy, especially in a movie about ancient China. Horrid. The male lead, a singer of a pop/art rock band by trade, is cringe inducing. The big bad was played by an actress of high repute in her younger days and now reduced to putting on a kabuki mask making scary faces, so sad. It reminds me of Bette Davis with thick pancake makeup in What Ever Happened to Baby Jane but at least that was a classic and tour de force acting. Hers was anything but that. The dueling Tao monks for comic relief are annoying and just take up time. Don't bother with this and just stick w/ the Chinese Ghost Story trilogy.