An incredibly nationalistic film, Blade of Fury combines furious and bloody kung fu action with politics and history.The movie begins with an attack by the patriotic Black Flag Troop on a group of Japanese soldiers. Although the group is defeated, their leader escapes and apparently commits suicide. A few years later a nobleman, Tan Szu-tung (Ti Lung), is traveling to see the emperor to discuss the political changes in China. Along with his assistant Nine Catties (Cynthia Yang) and the local blacksmith, they thwart an attempt on a government official's life. Afterwards, Szu-tung finds out that the blacksmith is in fact Wang Wu, the leader of the Black Flag Troop, and asks him to come along with him to see the emperor as well as set up a kung fu school in the city. Politics begin to weave their way into the story at this point, as Szu-tung decides that the Empress Dowagermust be killed in order for China to reach a greater status. Meanwhile, Yuan Shih-kai, the government official that was originally saved has joined forces with King Yee, a local nobleman, in an attempt to open up China to the Japanese in order to help the trade economy. Things start to go downhill when Szu-tung is betrayed by Shih-kai and Wang Wu defies the government by refusing to combine his kung fu school with that of the Japanese. Seeing that he has no choice but to sacrifice his life for the country he loves, Wang Wu (along with Nine Catties and a few loyal students) attack King Yee's forces and avenge Szu-tung's betrayal.The cast in the movie is very good. Blade Of Fury offers some great cinematography and a lot of poetic dialogue.The action scenes are manifold and especially interesting, as they blend the old and new styles quite effectively.There are moments when the wirework and speed up are simply too much, but there's also some creative and effective uses of the 90's wuxia style... and then there are also quite a few scenes of 'genuine' martial arts too,as the cast contains quite a few people with real training. The choreography in both styles is very good. One of the best genre movies from the period.
