Travel with a Sword

Dir: Wong Tin-lam
Scr: Yang Qing
Prod Co: Cathay
Co-starring: Chao Lei, Roy Chiao, Fanny Fan Lai, Chiang Nam, Li Yunzhong
1968 / Colour / D Beta / Mandarin / 97min

On a quest to avenge her father's death, Duan Yanyan (Betty Loh Ti) falls into the clutches of a bandit head, Cockeyed Tiger (Roy Chiao), and meets fellow victim, swordsman Zhang Kaiying (Chao Lei), in the bandit lair. She escapes with Kaiying's help, only to learn he is the son of her father's killer… In her last wuxia film for Cathay, Loh transformed into a white-clad swordswoman, riding resplendently on a snow-white steed as she traverses the ghastly wasteland strewn with dead bodies. Loh's swift swordplay and remarkable equestrian skills came as a delightful surprise. With the last scene of Yanyan's arrival at Kaiying's home, Loh proved herself the epitome of dramatic brilliance: her anguished eyes betray what her heroic countenance must conceal when facing a tormenting dilemma. Such is a performance that forever cements her legendary status as the "Queen of Tragedy".

Screening courtesy of Cathay Organisation