Deadend of Besiegers (1992)

This hugely entertaining kung fu movie features a stellar cast of mostly mainland Chinese stars backing up fighting beauty Cynthia Khan, impressive production values, a great adventure story, and killer martial arts action.

Yu Rongguang (IRON MONKEY) plays Wuwechimatao, a Japanese martial artist who was once disgraced by a Westerner in his own country. A visiting Shaolin monk convinced the young man not to commit ritual suicide. He gives him a manual on how to perform Dog Fist kung fu and recommends that he travel to China to improve his skills. Unfortunately, Yu gets on the wrong boat that’s filled with Japanese pirates intent on pillaging Chinese villages. Yu thwarts their attempt to kidnap a bunch of children and ends up left behind when the pirates make their retreat.

Now, Yu is hiding in China where anti-Japanese sentiment is high and he’s branded a pirate. His only friend is a young girl who he saved. She smuggles him into the city where he eventually meets Cui Gu (Cynthia Kan), a master of the Dog Fist style. He slowly earns the trust of Cui Gu and her family and begins to learn kung fu. Yu eventually joins his new friends in foiling an attempt by the pirates to invade the town.

What a refreshing spin on the tired old Japanese versus Chinese films of the 1970s. This time around, it’s a Japanese hero who saves the day, albeit with Chinese kung fu and a Chinese actor playing the role. Ru Rongguang is simply outstanding. I can never say enough about how much he deserves to be in more starring roles. By taking on the additional task of co-directing the excellent fighting scenes, Yu displays his physical skills and the sophisticated choreography that comes off as very polished. Sure, you can see a few wires every now and then, but it’s a forgivable sin. As an actor, Yu sparkles as he develops a friendship with the young girl who aids him. There is some real chemistry and layers of character development as the more streetwise girl schools her naive Japanese friend in the ways of getting along in China with some humorous results.

Cynthia Khan is an extraordinary martial artist and this more than makes up for her limited acting prowess. She’s a very physical performer who exudes real power in her movements while retaining a certain gracefulness. The other standout performer is Yue Hai who played Jet Li’s mentor in SHAOLIN TEMPLE (1982) and here plays Khan’s father. He’s a decade older but this only enhances his presence as a wizened elder and he still performs some great martial arts.

Yu Rongguang, Yue Hai most of the remaining cast are mainland Chinese actors and its clear that the production took place in China and was likely co-financed by a mainland studio. Sumptuous location shots include ancient fortified walls, large Buddhist statues and breathtaking scenery. Even the story itself appears to have been written with a mainland aesthetic, giving emphasis to character development, drama and pacing. As much as I love Hong Kong cinema, combining the strengths of mainland Chinese and Hong Kong filmmaking usually generates the most complete and satisfying cinematic experience and DEADEND OF BESIEGERS is no exception.

Closer inspection reveals a few minor problems. The action is very good but not as tightly choreographed as it could have been. The attention to detail on the cultural representation of foreigners is pretty embarrassing. Dale Cook, a karate-trained B-movie actor who starred in a number of disposable action flicks during the ’90s plays a ridiculous martial art-fighting Dutchman who bullies Yu. As much as I like Yu, his character should have been played by a real Japanese martial arts actor like Hiroyuki Sanada. Another issue is the child-like tone of the movie which some may find annoying. If not for some excessive violence, I’d almost say this is a family movie.

With a strong adventurous spirit, soaring music and ample humor to match the solid action scenes, I highly recommend this film, especially to casual Asian film fans who might consider Hong Kong action movies too violent or difficult to follow.