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Rating:

5

Year of release: 2002 (original TV airing; US version released 2005)

Genre: martial arts

Director: Daniel Li

Stars: Zhao Wen-Zhuo, Esther Kwan, Ray Lui, Cheng Pei-Pei, Rachel Ngan, Chen Chao Yong, Tse Kwan Ho, Sun Li, Joey Leung, Kym Ng, Guo Liang, Vicky Chen, Wu Yue, Zhang Tie Lin

Not rated; contains IIA-level violence

DVD Information

Company: Tai Seng

Format: full frame (originally made for TV)

Languages: Cantonese, Mandarin, English

Subtitles: English, Chinese

Extras: trailers

Notes: A decent disc considering the source material.

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Book and Sword

Book and Sword is another of Tai Seng's edited versions of Chinese TV series. This one is based on the first half of a twenty-five episode series that originally aired in Asia back in 2002. Jin Yong's book of the same name had already proven itself ratings gold with a couple of previous series back in the 1970's and 1980's (most notably a TVB series starring Adam Cheng), and this latest version should please fans of the genre, at least if they have some previous knowledge of the story. Unfortunately, many viewers will find themselves getting a bit lost during the proceedings.

Like most of Tai Seng's other edits, this DVD concentrates mostly on the fighting scenes. Most of them are actually quite good for something made for television, especially with Zhao Wen-Zhou (one of the more under-rated on-screen martial artists) being front and center during many of them. However, the plot exposition is schizophrenic to say the least. Many characters (who seem like they might be important to the story) come and go at the drop of a hat, and the end result is that the "film" feels incomplete, especially since the DVD comes to a fairly sudden end with the words "To Be Contunued" going across the screen. Perhaps my opinion will change after viewing the "sequel", but for now, I can only give Book and Sword a very mild recommendation.