Not that any of that really matters, because it's all very obviously an excuse for the kung fu. If five minutes pass without a fight, it's unusual - and that's probably a good thing, because the awkward dubbing doesn't do the comedy scenes any favours. A series of set-pieces - a search for the brothers in a whorehouse, rescuing strangers from bandits, a bar-room brawl - pad out the story, allowing the performers to showcase their remarkable agility. It's impressive stuff - but it's hard to believe the characters are in any danger, and some shoddy editing simply adds to the sense that you're watching a sports display, not a narrative.

The Smart Cavalier (which doesn't exactly live up to its title, since there's not a horse in sight) probably isn't going to win any new fans for kung fu movies. The story isn't strong enough to compare to narrative driven western cinema, nor fantastical enough to appeal to fans of the weird and wacky. If you're a real kung fu nut, you'll probably enjoy it; if not, I suspect there are better examples to begin your acquaintance with.

When a Ming revolutionary stumbles upon the contest unaware of the prize, his resounding victory leaves him with a new responsibility. However, knowing that marriage would impede his political activities, the victor and his friend decide to flee, with the grandfather and granddaughter in hot pursuit. Wherever the two friends go and no matter how elaborate their disguise, their pursuers are never far behind and always eager to finally cement the wedding plans. Matters take a more serious twist when the revolutionaries meet their brotherhood and must face the might of the Ching armies. Thankfully though, the grandfather is familiar with the cause and decides to add his own helping hand in the finale.

Joseph Kuo has shown in some of his best features that he has the ability to develop excellent kung fu films. With a fascination for colourful characters and his own directorial touches, Kuo is one of the better independent directors of the 70s. 'The Smart Cavalier' though is a sloppily directed, poorly developed kung fu comedy with little to entertain. The actual concept of the chase between the revolutionaries and the grandfather/granddaughter along with the revolutionary overtones has definite potential; the mix of characters and situations could have spawned something akin to Kuo's better work. However, by the half-hour mark, 'The Smart Cavalier' has all the excitement and intrigue of a Scooby Doo cartoon. Indeed it is that the film seems to mimic the same format as a cartoon: the heroes escape; their pursuers appear out of nowhere; the heroes escape; their pursuers appear out of nowhere...and on and on. Whereas Scooby Doo is twenty minutes long though, this tired chain of events happens throughout a 90 minute duration. Things seem to improve at the film's ending, but even this fight finale - featuring the brief 10 minute appearance by Lo Lieh - is ruined by poor character development. Too often this production introduces characters with no history or persona and then expects the audience to believe in them. 'The Smart Cavalier' is a below par effort from Joseph Kuo, a director who should know better.

PICTURE: Very pale print that disappoints with its average colours and poor detail. The actual imaging is ok, but its far too washed out.

SOUND: Mandarin soundtrack with English, Traditional Chinese and Simplified Chinese subtitles (removable).

EXTRAS: The typically useless Data Bank.

REVIEW
This Joseph Kuo film attempts to mix humor and action together, but ends up being a strange brew of ill-paced fights amidst a confused plot.

"The Smart Cavalier" opens with Wu Pu-cheueh and his granddaughter coming to town. The pretty, young girl played by Doris Lung begins fighting a series of truly odd men who all hope to win her hand in marriage. Contestants include a hideous-looking scholar, a dwarf, and even an aging shaolin monk in disguise. Twenty minutes into the film our hero finally shows up. Unaware of the contest, Kan Feng-chih defeats Doris and disappears with his friend as Ching troops close in. Thus begins two plots forced uncomfortably together. Doris and her grandfather spend the rest of the film trying to catch Kan, which does provide one or two humorous elements but ultimately bogs down the film in self-conscious situation comedy. In particular, one brothel scene has Kan meeting with a rebel. But then Doris and her grandfather show up, forcing Kan and his friend to dress as female prostitutes to escape.

Now, the other plot involves Kan's flight from the Ching's. Kan and his companion eventually steal the famed list of anti-Ching rebels. On the road they're attacked by Ching forces, including a number famous fighters, turned traitor. Some of these ridiculous character names include "Master of Ghost Rain," "Theft of Kung Tung," and "The Snow of Mountain Tien-Hei Sa." The pair easily dispatch with these foes but are not so lucky with Doris and her grandfather who continue to trail them everywhere they go. Kan brings the list to a meeting of rebels but the party is crashed. Famed screen villain, Lo Lieh finally shows up as a traitorous Han, sporting the trademark white hair and eyebrows. He and his companions surround the rebel hideout, forcing them to fight their way out. All seems lost until Doris and Wu show up. In horribly cheesy fashion, Wu begins throwing what appears to be essentially hand grenades at the Ching forces. This conveniently wipes out the whole lot except for Lo Lieh who proves to be an unstoppable opponent. Yet Wu, who we find out had fought Lo many years before has a few more tricks up his sleeve. Lo gets sprayed with a gas meant to kill him but rather makes him loopy. Now we get to see Lo performing the little known "Joy-Angry-Sorrow-Happy boxing." This sounds suspiciously like Jackie Chan's "Emotional Kung Fu" used in "Fearless Hyena" (1979). Lo begins to stagger around, much like drunken boxing, displaying all manner of emotion while Kan and Doris' attacks are repelled. Wise old Wu just happens to know the only way to defeat this wacky style involves an equally wacky move where a virgin boy and girl must strike Lo's "laughing nerve center." Kan and Doris do their thing, thus defeating Lo and before they can celebrate, Kan is again running from Doris and her grandfather.

"The Smart Cavalier" has its moments but ultimately doesn't come together. Kan and his partner sporadically run from scene to scene with little plot progression. Since Lo Lieh doesn't show up until the end of the film (which is a shame in of itself), the audience has no vested interest in the final battle. Also, the more serious Ching vs. Ming plot doesn't react well when paired with the cornball story of Doris and her grandfather's attempt to track down Kan. None of the actors are particularly charismatic in fighting style or manner, excepting Lo Lieh. The martial arts action is somewhat entertaining but their isn't enough and eventually it degenerates into silliness. Kuo, who had managed to create some very entertaining independent films seemed unable to decide what he wanted to do with this one. Lo Lieh fans will be hard-pressed to wait through an hour of tiresome viewing to see their favorite villain in action.