Have Sword Will Travel (1969)

January 9, 2018

A security escort company, a love triangle, and more bandits than you can shake a stick at is the basis for this 1969 Shaw Brothers classic.  This has been on my watch list for some time and I finally got a chance to watch it on Amazon Prime UK.  Thankfully it was streaming in the original language with English subtitles.  Dubbed movies sound so cheesy.  I was excited to find Have Sword Will Travel lived up to my expectations.  Although not nearly as well choreographed as later Shaw Brothers movies the story and acting was superb!  It has been said that this film was inspired off the Western, Have Gun Will Travel but as the western was a TV series I wouldn’t know if any single episode was the inspiration or the title itself.  It should be said that there are some similar elements between Wuxia and American Westerns.

If you get the chance I suggest you watch Have Sword Will Travel. I won’t say much else about it as I wouldn’t want to ruin the experience.

Chang Cheh, Director
Yuen Cheung-Yan, Action Director
Tong Kai, Action Director
Ni Kuang, Script

Ti Lung (Return of the One-Armed Swordsman, The Water Margin, Three Kingdoms: Resurrection of the Dragon) as Siang Ding, the young hero engaged to Yun Piao Piao

David Chiang (The Wandering Swordsman, The One-Armed Swordsmen, Tai Chi Warrior) as Lu Yi, the wandering swordsman

Lee Ching (The Sword of Swords, The New One-Armed Swordsman, The 14 Amazons ) as Yun Piao Piao, the young heroine engaged to Siang Ding but fascinated by Lu Yi

Wong Chung (Golden Swallow, The Twelve Gold Medallions, Buddhist Fist and Tiger Claws) as The MuteKu Feng (The Twin Swords, Come Drink with Me, Magnificent Warriors) as Chao Hong, Chief of the Flying Tigers

Chan Sing (The Wandering Swordsman, The Duel, Bruce Tuan’s 7 Promises) as Mao Biao

Cheng Miu (The Twin Swords, The Magnificent Swordsman, Disciples of the 36th Chamber) as Lord Yin Ke Feng

Cheng Lui (Magnificent Trio, One-Armed Swordsman, The Magnificent Boxer) as Wong Chuen

Wang Kuang Yu (Golden Swallow, Swordswomen Three, All Men Are Brothers) as one of Lord Yin’s men

Hung Lau (Great Swordsman, Twin Blades of Doom, The One-Armed Swordsmen) as Chu Tin Hou, a Flying Tiger

Lau Gong (Golden Swallow, The Swordmates, The Water Margin) as a Flying Tiger

Cliff Lok (The Invincible Fist, The Invincible Iron Palm, Shaolin Death Squads) as a Flying Tiger

Cheng Kang Yeh (The Assassin, The Iron Buddha, Snake Deadly Act) as Yang Hang Chiu

Wong Ching Ho (The Eight Immortals in Jiangnan, The Silent Swordsman, The Master Strikes Back ) as Government official

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