Unfortunately the above description cannot make up for what has to be the most ridiculous, stupid, insane (I could go on like this for a paragraph, but that would be beating a dead horse) plot twist in the history of Hong Kong cinema. It's worse that such a revelation occured near the end of the film, as it spoils the 70 minutes which precede it. For me the twist was so ludicrous, I almost considered giving this otherwise brilliant movie 1 star.

Buy this DVD for the brilliant first 2/3 of the film. But be warned though, the plot twist is asinine in the extreme, in my opinion.

To be quite honest, the plot was very convoluted. I couldn't tell what this film was about until 1/2 way into the story. In its defense, the convoluted plot preserved the enigmatic qualities of each character. I couldn't tell the dubious from the trustworthy until the final reel (or final DVD chapters). I have to hand it to Chu Yuan; he definitely tries to flesh out the story and characters so the action scenes have a context to fit into. I like the way that Chu Yuan is willing to depict women as legitimate (even as deadly) as their male counterparts. Chang Cheh was infamous for emphasizing on maciste, male-bonding and downgrading female characters (Sister Pepper [Ching Li from Taiwan, not Li Ching from Shanghai] from 'The Anonymous Heroes' is an exception). One flaw about this film involves Chu Liu Hsiang: he's the title character (and the HK title for the film is his name), yet he is the least fascinating character in the film compared to the others. Also, the action takes place in a very unrealistic fashion. Black Pearl (Li Ching) is hurled through the back of a wooden staircase, yet her lovely face isn't stratched or bruised! Some viewers need not care.

Li Ching was probably about 29 years old when this film was released in 1977 (she was still a teenager in the 1960's). Li Ching looked a bit leaner in this film (and more like a WOMAN) and she probably took some fighting lessons before filming (she's doubled for the more acrobatic bits). Then again, Li Ching didn't seem destined to be a screen fighter (like Lily Li or Kara Wai Ying Hung)and she seemed better off sticking to acting. Still, Li Ching held her own in the action bits. My favorite scene in the film is where Chu Liu Hsiang and Black Pearl camp out in a remote location that's rumored to be haunted by ghosts. I don't know if this scene was in Ku Long's novel, but it felt like filler to me. A "ghost" offers Black Pearl some roast pork, she screams, and she runs up a post like a frightened cat! "You gwei a! You gwei a! [Ghosts! Ghosts!]" yells Black Pearl. Chu Liu Hsiang boldly accepts some food from the "ghosts". After eating an apple, Chu comments, "Hao chr la! [This is good!]" Chu munches on a severed arm, Black Pearl loses her grip on the post, and she's on the verge of vomiting! Chu Liu Hsiang offers Black Pearl some severed arm and she runs while screaming, "Jiu ming a! [Help!]" Black Pearl later finds out that the severed arm was actually made of honey and lotus leaves. That was a fun, albeit superfluous scene. 'Clans of Intrigue' isn't flawless, but it did provide some retro Shaw Brothers kung fu thrills that I was looking for. Recommended!

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