Dir: Wong Hok-sing
Scr/Librettist/Pro: Lee Siu-wan
Prod Co: Liguang
Cast: Yam Kim-fai, Yu Lai-zhen, Leung Sing-por, Poon Yat On
1959 Colour D Beta Cantonese Chinese Lyrics 97 min

 

Wong Hok-sing combined opera norms and film technology to blend traditional Cantonese opera and fantasy film, resulting in this heavily cult-flavoured Cantonese opera film. The three-wall structure of the sets designed by Chan Ki-yui designed in an accustomed way provides the acting area with entrances and exits. While the actors perform alike on a stage, the camera has easy access to the performance, approaching the actors and magnifying special movement details such as close-up of Yu Lai-zhen's bound-feet walking and horse-whip twirling. In the climactic sequences, Wong used numerous film techniques: fast-motion, animation, wire work, jump-cuts and close-ups of model props in order to create a world full of humanoid beasts, flying dragon staffs, flag formations and magic spells before our very eyes.