Water Margin

aka: Seven Blows Of The Dragon
Hong Kong 1972, 120 minutes
Dir. Chang Cheh
In Mandarin with English subtitles
Rating: [R]
Genres: Foreign Cinema, Action/Adventure / Martial Arts, Epic

Feat. David Chiang, Ti Lung

Aroview: Perhaps the most spectacular of the 1970s Hong Kong swordplay productions by the Shaw Bros, this epic is set in 12th century Sung Dynasty China, where a band of 108 loyal soldiers are branded as outcasts and must fight off the true renegades of the kingdom.

Packed to the gunnels with sprawling battle-scenes, wrestling and pole fighting, lavish outdoor set-pieces and a bizarre polyglot score, this provides an impressive and racy two hour thrill. Adapted from the classic of Chinese literature 'Outlaws of the Marsh' and had a film sequel with 'All Men Are Brothers'.