Zu Warriors from the Magic Mountain – Xin shu shan jian ke (1983)

Directed by: Hark Tsui | 95 minutes | action, horror, adventure, fantasy | Actors: Biao Yuen, Hoi Mang, Adam Cheng, Moon Lee, Brigitte Lin, Damian Lau, Sammo Hung Kam-Bo, Judy Ongg, Norman Chu, Hark Tsui, Hark-On Fung, Kwan-Li Shen

In the 5th century, the area near the magical Mount Zu is ravaged by rival armies who constantly fight each other. The young soldier Ti Ming Chi also gets involved in such a fight with his army. The different soldiers each have their own colors, but otherwise there is hardly any difference between the fighting armies. Everyone just fights everyone. When he has to flee for his life, he sees no other way out than to enter Mount Zu.

There he enters a wonderful world full of strange and bloodthirsty creatures. The Evil Power that rules there can take many guises through which it cannot trust anything or anyone. Ti Ming Chi has the beautiful task of finding the two magical swords with which the resurrection can take place. If he succeeds, even the unbeatable blood devil is robbed of his power. In his quest for the magical weapons that will bring redemption, he receives help from various sides.

Oh, what a mess. In the beginning, the story is still fairly easy to follow when Ti Ming Chi strikes up a conversation with a soldier from one of the rival armies and they reluctantly have to go into battle with common opponents. The funny jokes and the acrobatic fight scenes alternate at a fast pace and the entertainment level is very high. But from the moment they enter the cave in Mount Zu and have many encounters with the most strange characters, of whom it is often completely unclear what they have to do with the story, things go horribly wrong. There’s something about a Hell Gate, disciples and teachers of the Evil Sect, and a man with eyebrows who can do anything. Also the excessive use of special effects does not benefit the brightness.

‘Zu Warriors’ is a kung fu farce without a good plot, but with individual scenes that are fun. Due to an abundance of special effects, which are fine in themselves, the film resembles a psychedelic trip most of all. Fun, but very confusing.