Magic Sword (1993) User Reviews

Gorgeous period action drama-confusion and magic prevail

[johnlewis · 9/10 · 26 February 2005]

This classical-style drama has plenty of action as well as lush scenery and intricate detail of the period. The story is about a vendetta between some warlord kings in China. One king attempts to develop swords of steel which would not break as did the iron swords of the time period. The king's ruthless methods of ruling embitter his sword smith and his wife to turn against the king and plot his fall. The swordsman's wife jumps into the furnace pot to give the swords to be cast the power of a human soul, thus a magic sword will be formed. Then the sword smith cuts his arm and spills some of his own blood into the cauldron to give a sword his life and soul. Their essences then become two swords after they are formed. She transforms into herself and other creatures when confronted by the king. The sword smith is still alive, but his sword later appears and transforms him as well. This is just an amazing story too convoluted to explain in a paragraph or two, but it is fascinating to watch it unfold. The scenery, costumes, and props in this film are really gorgeous. And it is well acted and directed. Shan-si Ting is the director, a sometimes overlooked Hong Kong director who also made the excellent fantasy action film The Beheaded 1000. He just excels in the exaggerated and fantastic, which he does so well in both films.

Sword and Scorcery Movies

[warp2003 · 1/10 · 23 February 2005]

This is in my opinion the worst Sword and Sorcerey movie ever made! I have tried to watch the entire movie from begging to end and just can't do it. I am a fan of classic bad movies and have seen some real stinkers that I could watch. This movie is not humorous, it is not dramatic, the action is terrible. I recommend throwing this one in the garbage can. I like sword and sorcery movies as a whole as well as fantasy. But with no saving grace this movie is not good entertainment for any one of any age. I paid one dollar for a DVD copy of this and it was a waste of a good dollar. Please for your own safety stay away from this movie.

Great story and under-appreciated director/screenwriter

[williamting · 10/10 · 9 April 2007]

Dear IMDb readers, It's ashame that general movie audiences cannot have access to the films made by the director Shan Si Ting as they are gems. His style of story telling is different from the usual Hollywood stories mass produced via the cookie-cutter method. Also note that his films are not produced by big budgets: but paltry budgets. Therefore its quite an accomplishment to be able to make a final product that is just as cohesive, entertaining and marketable as a Hollywood big-budgeted movie, if not more. Shan Si Ting is what you would call an "old school" director: relying on storytelling and good old fashion human drama and passion to move a story. He should definitely be given a chance to make a bigger budgeted film so as to realize even bigger stories.