LIFE GAMBLE is a 1978 Shaw Brothers film directed by the one and only Chang Cheh and featuring most of the Venoms actors in various parts. It's something a little different to the usual sprawling martial arts epic put out by Shaw; this is a densely-plotted thriller which incorporates themes of hidden identity and honour, and of course gambling, in a story about various characters desperate for possession of a priceless jade ornament.
It's one of those films like THE HATEFUL EIGHT which is all about getting the principal characters into a specific location and then having them bump each other off until the victor remains, but there's a lot more to it than that. This is one of those movies you have to watch very closely just to keep up with the story. As well as the dense plotting and character work, there's absolutely plentiful action, particularly in the second half, and all of it is fresh and inventive. There's an impressive flag-fu climax, duels involving flying daggers, and all manner of outlandish weaponry including one of those great mechanical fists that shoots darts that was also used in CRIPPLED AVENGERS.
The cast is exceptional even for a Shaw Brothers film. Phillip Kwok gets a chance to shine as the blacksmith with one or two skeletons in his closet while Alexander Fu Sheng is one of those laconic hero types. Kara Hui plays the lovely Xiao Hong with real relish. Lo Meng's dagger-wielding swordsman is a well developed character in his own right while there are smaller but no less important parts for Chiang Sheng, Danny Lee, Lu Feng, and Li Yi-Min. Put together the film best resembles a western in its depiction of a rural village invaded by various combatants and fighters, each out for his or her own gain, and it's great fun to boot.
It's one of those films like THE HATEFUL EIGHT which is all about getting the principal characters into a specific location and then having them bump each other off until the victor remains, but there's a lot more to it than that. This is one of those movies you have to watch very closely just to keep up with the story. As well as the dense plotting and character work, there's absolutely plentiful action, particularly in the second half, and all of it is fresh and inventive. There's an impressive flag-fu climax, duels involving flying daggers, and all manner of outlandish weaponry including one of those great mechanical fists that shoots darts that was also used in CRIPPLED AVENGERS.
The cast is exceptional even for a Shaw Brothers film. Phillip Kwok gets a chance to shine as the blacksmith with one or two skeletons in his closet while Alexander Fu Sheng is one of those laconic hero types. Kara Hui plays the lovely Xiao Hong with real relish. Lo Meng's dagger-wielding swordsman is a well developed character in his own right while there are smaller but no less important parts for Chiang Sheng, Danny Lee, Lu Feng, and Li Yi-Min. Put together the film best resembles a western in its depiction of a rural village invaded by various combatants and fighters, each out for his or her own gain, and it's great fun to boot.