Some of the entertaining female-led martial arts films of the Nineteen Seventies obtained an under-the-radar, secret sequel a 12 months later. Lengthy earlier than American films began heading on this course, girls headlining martial arts movies had already been a standard pattern. This was due largely to masterpieces like My Younger Auntie and A Contact of Zen.
A key pioneer on this specific nook of the martial arts style was Cheng Pei-pei, credited by many as the unique feminine motion star. The actress famously starred as a no-nonsense swordswoman on a rescue mission within the extraordinarily influential wuxia movie, Come Drink With Me.
Come Drink With Me is justifiably regarded as the definitive Cheng Pei-pei film, but it surely’s not the one standout automobile for the actress. 5 years after her career-making position within the movie, Cheng Pei-pei starred in The Girl Hermit, one of many decade’s greatest female-led martial arts movies.
The Girl Hermit Is A Excellent Martial Arts Romance About Two Feminine Swordfighters
The Girl Hermit is a 1971 interval piece that stars Cheng Pei-pei as a well-known swordswoman who deserted the martial arts world to stay as a hermit. She’s sought out by an bold feminine warrior, performed by Shih Szu, who’s wanting to obtain steering in swordfighting. The 2 develop a master-student relationship, whereas additionally navigating their mutual love for the movie’s male lead, performed by Lo Lieh.
Though not as well-known as Cheng Pei-pei, Shih Szu additionally had a notable profession in martial arts films. Along with The Girl Hermit, Shih Szu performed distinguished roles in different films steadily cited as amongst Shaw Brothers’ greatest, from Avenging Eagle to Shaolin Temple.
Shih Szu and Lo Lieh’s characters turn out to be embroiled within the struggles of the titular Girl Hermit, who has been ready for a possibility to take down a robust rival. The story culminates in an intense battle with excessive, emotional stakes that adequately pays off every of the three characters’ arcs within the story.
However the crux of the story is de facto the nice dynamic between the 2 feminine leads. The Girl Hermit builds up each characters superbly, presenting each as a heroine you’ll be able to root for, however with completely different targets and concepts. The Girl Hermit is an older, jaded girl with a cause for being the hardened warrior she is, whereas Shih Szu is taking part in a noble however naive fighter on the lookout for glory.
All issues thought-about, The Girl Hermit is a good instance of a martial arts film that manages to prioritize storytelling and character growth, whereas additionally balancing it out completely with motion.
The Black Tavern Is A Secret Sequel To The Girl Hermit, And It is Simply As Good
The Girl Hermit obtained an sudden continuation a 12 months later when Shaw Brothers made Black Tavern. Its title obscures the connection between its predecessor, but it surely turns into obvious because the story develops that the wandering, feminine swordfighter in white is identical character that Shih Szu performed in The Girl Hermit.
In some methods, The Girl Hermit comes throughout as a passing-of-the-torch-story, and The Black Tavern encapsulates that, because it sees the coed return, however not the grasp. The film sees her character turn out to be considered one of a number of individuals to cross paths at a tavern the place a supposedly wealthy lord is predicted to go by.
For some time, her motives are unclear, as is the case with lots of the gamers in The Black Tavern’s story, a lot of whom are conniving villains seeking to generate profits. This allows the 1972 movie to face far other than The Girl Hermit, with it placing extra emphasis on thriller than romance and coaching.
One of many highlights of The Black Tavern that simply places it on the identical stage as its predecessor is its foremost villain. Ku Feng performs a cold-blooded, whip-wielding bandit with a commanding, scene-stealing presence. Nice villains are a part of the material of martial arts films, and The Black Tavern does not disappoint in that regard, with Ku Feng placing in an appropriately over-the-top however sinister efficiency.