The Deadly Duo
The Deadly Duo is a 1971 Hong Kong wuxia film directed by Chang Cheh, starring David Chiang and Ti Lung.
Synopsis
The film is set in 12th-century China during the Song dynasty. Many martial artists in the jianghu look up to Prince Kang, whom they believe would be the best person to rule the Song Empire. Upon learning that Prince Kang is being held hostage in the Jin Empire, Bao Tingtian, a well-known martial artist, organises a group of heroes to stage a rescue.Around the same time, Wan Tiankui, a formidable martial artist, has led his followers to pledge allegiance to the Jin Empire. They would stand in the heroes' way.
Upon learning of where Prince Kang is, the heroes turn to Yan Lüren, who is known for his prowess in qinggong, to help them because there is a broken bridge that they cannot pass. Unknown to them, Yan Lüren is collaborating with the Jin Empire. However, they meet Yan Lüren's junior, Bian Fu, who kills his senior and joins the heroes in their quest.
Production
The film is one of many Hong Kong wuxia films from the early 1970s directed by Chang Cheh and starring Ti Lung and David Chiang. The films include The Heroic Ones, New One-Armed Swordsman, and Blood Brothers. The Deadly Duo is considerably shorter than the others, and arguably with less emphasis in the way of characterisation and plotting and more in the way of fighting, action, and adventure.All the fights involve various weapons, mostly spears and swords, but also some exotic devices such as a pair of cymbals and a device that fires incendiary balls. The co-director of the action scenes was Lau Kar-leung, who had an interest in spear and stick fighting and went on to direct more martial arts films in the 1970s and 1980s.