The Demon Fighter (Night Orchid) | Hong Kong Movie World review

The Demon Fighter (1983)

aka Night Orchid Presented by Ku Lung and Wang Hua-Hu

Cast: Adam Cheng, Brigitte Lin, Wang Tao, Fong Hak On, Liu Yi Long, Chui Chung San,

Supervisor: Hu Chi-Chung, Wang Hua-Hu Writer: Ku Lung

Producer: Chow Ling-Kan Director: Chang Pang-Ye

"I've been wounded often... but the scars of my heart seem to last forever,

and never heal... That's life. It's the same for all of us."

Famous warrior Chu’s lady friend, Long-long, was killed in his company during a duel; he

never got over it, and went into hiding. For years he was thought to have died alone,

despondent. Long-long’s sister, Siu Siu (Brigitte Lin), was so saddened by her death that

she secretly murdered all the other women acquainted with Chu. Some people, including Chu,

became determined to find the mysterious killer, whom they called Mr. Orchid (the killer

always left an orchid on his dead victims). Eventually Chu discovered the killer was Siu Siu,

though rather than feel angry at her explanation, he felt guilty still, even suggesting that she go

ahead and kill him. But, she did not want that, because she cared for him… Or something

like that.

Though frequently incomprehensible, The Demon Fighter is one of the coolest martial arts-

fantasies in memory, a brightly colored thriller starring two of the most charismatic actors in

Asia. Of course I am talking about Adam Cheng, as the fan-toting martial artist Chu, and

Brigitte Lin (Siu-Siu), ravishing as usual, a woman encircled by mystery and danger.

Filmed alternately on indoor sets and scenic exterior locations, the film features fanciful

wirework, sound effects, Oriental and Middle Eastern costumes, and tranquil, new-agey

music, including an instrumental version of "The Greatest Love of All". The action is plentiful,

with flying, magic, explosions, and people getting sliced up and impaled. Then there's the

ninja-like warriors who can burrow into the sand, become transparent, or even burst out of a

woman's womb. The story, penned by famed writer Ku Lung, is confusing, but this may be

due to the English dubbing. So I wasn't able to make sense of the part about the secret society

and its "strike mission", or why there was an evil woman named Gai Lun whom Siu Siu

was forced to appease sexually. The Demon Fighter gets my highest recommendation.

They don't make 'em like this anymore.. but they should.

also: watch for Wang Tao, wearing an Egyptian headdress in a rare villain role

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Related viewing: Fantasy Mission Force (1982) Brigitte Lin, Jackie Chan, Adam Cheng

Zu: Warriors from Magic Mountain (1983) Brigitte Lin, Adam Cheng, Yuen Biao