
Watches
January 12, 2016
60s Cheh Chang. There is a notable difference with the 70s Shaw Bros films. The early ones are more often shot on location, can be a bit grittier and feel a bit livelier. The downside is that the action scenes weren't quite as good, which somewhat negates the positives. Have Sword, Will Travel is a very solid entry in Chang's oeuvre though, sure to please fans of his work.
The plot is simple, but that's hardly a surprise. Once a year Feng travels to the big city with a shipment of silver. Due to his declining health he hires two bodyguards, but they don't get along too well, even after Feng saves one of them. When they are attacked by the Flying Tiger gang, they have no choice but to work together.
This is one of those films where nothing in particular stands out, but everything just feels solid and accomplished. The action is decent, the location adds a bit of flair and the pacing is perfect. The film never drags (except maybe during what is no doubt one of the longest death scenes ever) and the finale is done and dusted before you know it. Good genre fun.
More by the director
Cheh Chang

Invincible Shaolin

Legend of the Fox

Life Gamble

All Men Are Brothers

Blood Brothers

Boxer Rebellion

Crippled Avengers

Duel of the Iron Fist

Golden Swallow

Heaven and Hell

Heroes Two

Marco Polo

Men from the Monastery

Return of the One-Armed Swordsman

Shaolin Rescuers

Shaolin Temple

The Bloody Escape

The Brave Archer

The Daredevils

The Delightful Forest

The Invincible Fist

The Magnificent Ruffians

The Magnificent Trio

The Shaolin Avengers

The Weird Man

Trail of the Broken Blade

Trilogy of Swordsmanship

Vengeance!

Five Deadly Venoms

Five Shaolin Masters

House of Traps

King Eagle

Magnificent Wanderers

Man of Iron

Masked Avengers

Na Cha the Great

Ode to Gallantry

Ten Tigers of Kwangtung

The Assassin

The Brave Archer 2

The Deadly Duo

The Delinquent

The Flag of Iron

The Flying Dagger

The Iron Bodyguard

The New One-Armed Swordsman

The New Shaolin Boxers

The Rebel Intruders

The Sword Stained with Royal Blood

The Water Margin

Two Champions of Death

7 Man Army

Boxer from Shantung

Chinese Super Ninjas

Disciples of Shaolin

Four Riders

Kid with the Golden Arm

Shanghai 13

Shaolin Martial Arts

The Brave Archer 3

The Brave Archer 4

The Dancing Warrior

The Demons

The Fantastic Magic Baby

The Heroic Ones

The One-Armed Swordsman

The Pirate

Chinatown Kid

Dead End

Duel of Fists

Journey to the West

Police Force

The Angry Guest

The Anonymous Heroes

The Butterfly Chalice

The Legend of the 7 Golden Vampires

The Singing Killer

The Singing Thief

The Generation Gap
