HEAVEN SWORD & DRAGON SABRE PART II is a direct follow on from the first movie. These Shaw Brothers movies were directed by Chor Yuen at his most incoherent, based on books by popular novelist Louis Cha set in the martial world. So you have various legendary characters, numerous clans aligned to their own cause, and random wandering heroes who travel around and constantly shift allegiances. The world is full of rivalry, grudges, family relationships, vendettas, and romance, and trying to figure out just what's going on becomes a near-impossible feat.
This one begins with a recap of the first movie before carrying straight on with the continuing story. Derek Yee is once again the erstwhile hero, exposing villainy and coming up against various foes as the narrative goes on. This one is fairly short but still completely confusing and episodic in scope. The staging is fine but the action scenes are a bit silly, especially with Yee's disappearing-act style of fighting which I found a bit of a cheat. There are lots of familiar faces here although the likes of Yuen Wah and Norman Chu are quite wasted. Lo Lieh, such a big presence in the first movie, is limited to little more than an extended cameo. A third part followed in 1982.
This one begins with a recap of the first movie before carrying straight on with the continuing story. Derek Yee is once again the erstwhile hero, exposing villainy and coming up against various foes as the narrative goes on. This one is fairly short but still completely confusing and episodic in scope. The staging is fine but the action scenes are a bit silly, especially with Yee's disappearing-act style of fighting which I found a bit of a cheat. There are lots of familiar faces here although the likes of Yuen Wah and Norman Chu are quite wasted. Lo Lieh, such a big presence in the first movie, is limited to little more than an extended cameo. A third part followed in 1982.