Having also made the epic One-Armed Swordsman the same year, prolific director Chang Cheh and a very young Jimmy Wang Yu, teamed up to bring us the very character-driven, swordplay drama, The Assassin - set during the Warring States period over 2000 years ago. Inspired by the Chanbara films from neighbouring Japanese cinema, the Shaw Brothers produced film is beautifully made, with great sets, nice fight scenes (albeit fewer than usual), and great performances all round...
Although he was skinny-as-a-rake and hardly looked threatening, Wang Yu had only a handful of films under his belt by this stage, but was clearly impressing the Shaw Brothers bosses and directors landing himself leading roles with his good looks and energy. Forced into hiding after his school is attacked by political rivals (at which point I think I saw a young Yuen Cheung Yan jumping around), Wang Yu is soon found by a minister-in-exile (Tien Feng, from The Young Master) who needs the swordsman's services to assassinate a rival politician - offering him a chance to avenge the deaths of his teacher and brothers. Declining the offer, to look after his sick mother, our hero moves on. Years pass, and after the death of his mother, Wang accepts the job and sets out on a suicide mission to exact revenge for his lost ones!
The Assassin is without-a-doubt, a Shaw Brothers classic. While just as exciting as most of the swordplay films they were producing in the 60's, Chang delivers a film akin to watching an old Hammer horror film of the same era. The colours, the drama, the pacing - they certainly don't make them like this any-more. Rich in characters and costume, with wonderful cinematography and a host of familiar faces, The Assassin is well worth the watch for many reasons...
Although it has quite a slow-burning middle, which might put off most viewers - this character-driven drama is still gripping to watch. When the fights come about, they offer some bloody and brutal action choreographed by Shaw regular Tong Gaai, and a very young Lau Kar Leung, who also gets a nice bit-part role as one of the Officials assassins. The epic, 10 minute end battle in particular is just fantastic with our hero taking on an army, single-handed!!
Similarly retold in 1998's wonderful film, The Emperor And The Assassin, and in the incredible 2002 epic, Hero with Jet Li...
Overall: A beautifully crafted film and all round classic. While heavy on drama, fight fans won't be disappointed either!
