The Fate of Lee Khan

Description

Product Description

**RELEASED FOR THE FIRST TIME ON BLU RAY IN NORTH AMERICA**

In his follow-up to the critically-acclaimed A Touch of Zen, trailblazing Chinese filmmaker King Hu brings together an all-star female cast, including Hong Kong cinema stalwart Li Li-hua and Angela ‘Lady Whirlwind’ Mao, in this lively martial arts adventure. When Lee Khan, an official working for Mongolian Emperor Yuan of the Yuan Dynasty procures the battle map of the Chinese rebel army, Chinese resistance fighters, aided by an undercover girl-gang within Khan’s ranks, strive to corner him in an inn. Featuring stunning action sequences choreographed by Jackie Chan’s ‘kung fu elder brother’ Sammo Hung and a generous mix of intrigue and humor – The Fate of Lee Khan – is a legendary wuxia masterpiece.

Bonus features include: NYAFF Chat: The Fate of King Hu video discussion and new essay by Chinese-language film expert and author Stephen Teo.

Review

The Fate of Lee Khan is to the Chinese martial arts movie what Once Upon a Time in the West is to the Italian Western: a brilliant anthology of its genre’s theme and styles, yielding an exhilaratingly original vision. –Time Out

Though its fights are choreographed by the legendary action director Sammo Hung, making liberal use of cartwheels and hidden trampolines, contemporary viewers may decide they aren’t Fate’s main attraction. More exciting is Hu’s handling of the minutes before violence erupts: His staging and editing pinballs our attention back and forth around the small inn, as conspirators furtively communicate with each other or gauge how to respond to the suspicions of Khan and his underlings. These masterful sequences are a delight, and make a brilliant transition from the hangout pleasures of Khan’s first half to the big exterior set piece that will end the film. –John DeFore, The Hollywood Reporter

With its bevy of female stars, action choreographed by Sammo Hung, and classic inn setting, this 1973 classic is prime for rediscovery. –Mubi