The Blade (1995)

Tsui’s remake of SB’s The One-Armed Swordsman (1967) isn't his usual kind of wire-fu makeover; he simply adds his vision to an existing story, creating a layer of tragedy and gritty determination that feels like a brutal fist in the gut. It even leaves a lingering ache.
His camera blitzes through shadowy dwellings and hearts set ablaze by vengeful longings. When one person gets what they want, another person is left torn apart.
It’s a great film with masterful editing but is perhaps much too bleak thematically to be enjoyed often.

3½ links in the chain out of 5