Bride with White Hair, The (1993)

Long considered to be a definitive film of Hong Kong’s action New Wave, THE BRIDE WITH WHITE HAIR is one of the most lavish, kinetic and fantastic films you will ever see.

Cho Yi-hang (Leslie Cheung) is brought up in the Wudang Clan to be its next leader. Wudang is one of seven clans who oppose the new Qing government in China. Also threatening the clans is the rise of a cult led by Siamese twins joined at the back who were expelled from Wudang. The twins groom a young woman (Brigitte Lin), whom they found living with wolves into a deadly martial arts master to do their evil bidding.

Cho has a chance meeting with the wolf woman. They fall in love, stirring jealousy in the Siamese male who covets the wolf woman. Adding to the complexity, the Wudang clan sees Cho as a traitor conspiring with the cult. Cho and his love, who he has renamed Lien Ni-chang vow to leave the underworld of warriors and live a quiet life. To do so, Lien endures a painful and humiliating ritual to be allowed to leave the cult.

When Lien goes to the Wudang clan to find Cho, she finds members of the clan dead. She is accused of the murders by the clan and even Cho doubts her, breaking his vow of trust. A tragic final struggle plays out between Wudang, Lien, the twins, and Cho.

The story itself takes elements of classic Chinese fantasy and mythology and mixes it with a brooding modern narrative style. Cho Yi-hang is a sort of Hamlet like character haunted, not by a dead father but by a living one who wishes him to assume a role of the clan’s leader, something Cho has no ambitions for. As we see Cho grow to adulthood, he becomes aware of the cruelty all around him. Everyone who has ever shown him kindness seems capable of killing with no regard. When he meets Lien Ni-chang, there is a connection beyond the material. Both individuals are out of touch with their people and their world. Yet, there is a stark difference. Lien remains wild and untamed, having grown up with wolves. It is the ultimate irony that Cho, the only truly remorseful character eventually drives Lien to lash out in a wildly hateful fury.

Brigitte Lin’s long career reached a high point with her role as Lien Ni-chang, a woman driven to destructive rage by the forces surrounding her. Lin’s electrifying performance is almost eerie in its completeness. She followed this role with the lesser sequel in which she still dominated the screen with her intense stare. Lin went on to play in a number of period roles, with her performance in ASHES OF TIME standing out as another highlight.

In dynamic performance, Leslie Chung is at once arrogant, distraught and finally heartbroken. In fact, all the performances are masterfully played for the film. Director Ronnie Yu (FEARLESS) peaks creatively on this film. The use of dramatic color and close-ups, coupled with a riveting story and exotic costumes gives the film a unique look that leaps out at the viewer. This is also thanks in part to the brilliant cinematography of Peter Pau (CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDE DRAGON).

This is an impressive film with no discernable flaws. The action is intense, yet the story is well thought out and emotionally engaging. The production values are of the highest order, showing that even on a smaller budget, Hong Kong films can easily compete with Hollywood. Without a doubt, THE BRIDE WITH WHIT HAIR is a genuine classic of the fantasy genre.