The Lost Swordship (1977, Taiwan)

Starring: Tien Peng (Roc Tien), Tang Bao-yun, Bai Ying, Wang Ping. Directed by: Chia Li

"The Lost Swordship" is the movie version of a novel by famous wuxia novelist Ku Lung and was adapted for the big screen by Shaw Bros. screenwriter Kuang Ni and director Chia Li.

In this movie, a mysterious martial arts clan known as Tien Cheng Chiao is headed by an even more mysterious masked figure known simply as The Bishop. The organization has some of the best fighters in the land among its ranks and is out for full-fledged supremacy. Roc Tien plays Lu Nan-jen, a swordfighter who opposes Tien Cheng Chiao. His wife Hsueh Jo-pi (Tang) is kidnapped by Tien Cheng Chiao and his best friend and fellow swordfighter Ling Pei-hsiu (Bai) defects to them.

In the midst of fighting with some of their fighters, Nan-jen is badly wounded by one of the fighter's Iron Palm technique.

In order to defeat The Bishop. Nan-jen will have to go to a secret location known only by his family, heal up from his Iron Palm injuries, spend five years learning his family's famous Fragrant Sword technique, and become master of the Fragrant Sword. However, The Bishop is also interested in learning the Fragrant Sword technique.....

Can Lu Nan-jen defeat The Bishop and rescue his beloved Jo-pi?

Also in this movie is a mysterious female fighter known as Lady Hsiao aka the Flaming Beauty who is also opposed to Tien Cheng Chiao. She gives Nan-jen some much-needed assistance in bringing down the organization. However, she is also in love with Nan-jen and makes it clear she wants to be the object of his affections and not Jo-pi.

This is a very good swordplay movie, except for a few flaws. The subtitles are horrible and make the storyline a little confusing. In addition, there are a few small gaps in the storyline, particularly when Nan-jen is shown teaching at a school after his Iron Palm injury. Is it safe to assume that he disguised himself as a village schoolteacher? Also, the romantic drama in the movie might be annoying for some, but at least Lady Hsiao more than makes up for it by becoming a kick-butt heroine in the movie!

If you're a fan of swordplay movies, wuxia, or costume epics, you'll probably like this movie. So much so you might want to watch it one or two more times!

Also known as: Yu jian piao xiang (original Mandarin title-Taiwan), Lost Samurai Sword (international English VHS title), The Lost Swordship (subtitled English version-HK)