More Than Kung Fu

Gimmicks have a way of overwhelming the films they are supposed to enhance. Filmmakers get so enamored with new technology that they forget to use it in service of the story and instead use it everywhere they can.

While Have Sword, Will Travel certainly wasn’t Chang Cheh’s first film to feature slow motion, he certainly acted like it was, throwing in slow-mo shots at any opportunity. The hero jumps? Slow-mo. The hero falls backwards? Slow-mo. Blood spurts? Slow-mo.

And that’s a shame, because the entire film builds towards a fantastic slow-mo sequence that would have been a knock-out punch had in not been preceded by endless scenes of pointless slow-mo.

Chang’s overuse of his gimmick undercuts the climax of the film’s love triangle. Heroes and sweethearts Siang Jin (Ti Lung) and Yun Piao Piao (Li Ching) must take charge of the security of a vital currency shipment after the formerly fearsome Lord In (Ching Miao) is taken ill and loses his powers.

On their way to the assignment they meet itinerant swordsman Lo Yi (David Chiang), whose speed with his sword and fondness for Piao Piao raises Siang’s hackles and warms Piao Piao’s heart.

Despite regular evidence to the contrary, Siang is convinced that Lo is working for the Flying Tigers, a gang of bandits trying to steal the cash. Despite Siang’s distrust, Lo joins the caravan when he finds out about Lord In’s illness.

When the Flying Tigers spring their ambush, Siang is separated from Lo and Piau Piau. As Lo debates between saving the doubting swordsman or taking Piau Piau for himself, he foresees his own death, followed by a vision Siang and Piau Piau riding of happily into marriage.

Shot in slow-motion, Lo’s premonition encapsulates the moral crux at the heart of most Chang Cheh films — when presented with a choice between happiness and honor, Chang’s heroes always choose honor. If Chang had chosen to make this the film’s only slow-mo scene, it would have stood out as a powerful statement. Instead, it’s almost swamped by Chang’s overuse of the gimmick.

Have Sword, Will Travel
Dir: Chang Cheh
Released: December 25, 1969