Another martial arts classic from Jimmy Wang Yu, the difference here being that the film focuses on swordplay (as did Wang Yu's earlier movies, before the fists craze) over the more usual kung-fu activities. But what swordplay it is, with hundreds of extras engaging in all kinds of frenetic battles which are a delight to watch and take up most of the running time of the movie. Wang Yu takes Akira Kurosawa's SEVEN SAMURAI as his inspiration for the simple plot, in which he plays a swordsman who gathers together some of the locality's best men to fight an invading Japanese army. The irony being, of course, that the baddies are the Japanese, and he's ripping off a Japanese film for the story.This is very much a man's film, in fact there is not one single female characte in it as far as I can remember. After the initial set-up, which takes about an hour, the film becomes one big long battle-cum-massacre which really is classic stuff. The action is excellently filmed and large scale, with swords clashing together in blurs and the top fighters using all manner of exotic skills and weaponry to defeat the enemy. Of course, it wouldn't be a Wang Yu movie without violence, and there's a fair share of that here, especially in the superb blood-spurting windmill duel at the film's conclusion.BEACH OF THE WAR GODS definitely won't appeal to a mainstream audience, mainly because there is NO characterisation in the film whatsoever. Now I know Hong Kung kung-fu films usually have little characterisation in them anyway, but there's absolutely none here - it's just about men getting ready to fight, and actually fighting. Action lovers will be in movie heaven with the no holds barred fights to the death, and the film - being a fairly expensive Golden Harvest production - has a professional sheen to make it look good with it. A highlight of the genre.

The 70's kung fu craze that swept North American B movie theatres with the popularity of Bruce Lee reached its pinnacle with this movie. Following Lee's death there were many heirs presumptive that were supposed to take off as international kung fu stars, but never did. These include Bruce Li, Sonny Chiba, Jackie Chan (whose international popularity took hold many years later and in fact has surpassed Lee's in many ways), Chuck Norris, (who had inherent North American appeal, but lacked the mysticism surrounding Lee), and perhaps the most talented of them all, Jimmy Wang Yu.Wang Yu movies had elements of myth, magic, history and violence that has been touched on, but not equaled by Ang Lee's recent Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.Old all the Wang Yu movies, Beach of the War Gods comes together in a way that truly raised the genre to new heights. A Chinese general arrives in a coastal town to fend off a Japanese invasion. While based on an historical incident, the movie employs all the trademark fantastical elements of great kung fu films. The various leaders of the Chinese and Japanese forces have special powers and skills and these are the 'hard men' of movies before the term existed.The costumes and sets in Beach of the War Gods are something to marvel at. The fight scenes are seamless and bloody, and the pacing is enticing from beginning to end. While the characterizations are a bit thin, well..get with it..this is a kung fu movie, not Pride and Prejudice. All in all, a must-see for fans of the genre.

In BEACH OF THE WAR GODS, an action-packed Hong Kong swordplay adventure from 1972, Jimmy Wang Yu rallies three fighters to help lead the men of a Chinese beach town in battle against the invading Japanese. One of the fighters is an expert knife thrower and comes with his own arsenal. It all leads quickly to a massive battle in the town streets. The swordfights are reminiscent of those found in Japanese samurai films, but with more action and vigor. (Interestingly, Wang Yu often made kung fu films with anti-Japanese themes, yet his films often reflected the influence of Japanese samurai films.)The problem here is the lack of a buildup to the main battle and lack of character development. After a simple setup, Wang Yu and company gather and prepare for battle. Then--boom!--the battle begins and lasts till the end of the film! Action fans will love it, but those seeking a little more depth and substance may feel unsatisfied. Wang Yu not only stars, but wrote and directed the film as well.

I found this movie in an old shop and bought it just for fun,not thinking it would be nothing other than an ordinary old Hong-Kong movie(badly dubbed and often lame fighting).Boy was i wrong!The main actors in this movie is the kind of people that you just can`t help finding cool whatever they do.Since this is a Golden Harvest production the sets,costumes and props are well made.The directing by Wang Yu is superb,his visual style of camera angles and the use of slow-motion is just like the movies are made today.The fight-choreographing is sharp,and visually stunning.Compared with other movies from Hong-Kong,usually filled with rain of blood,this movie is more clean.I`m quite used to large bodycounts in any hong-kong movie,but this movie takes killing to a new level.The final battle between the chinese and the japanese is nothing other that a long massacre with people filling your Tv-screen.The only bad about this movie is the dubbing,i only hope that this movie some day will be released on DVD with the original cantonese language.