Biography
One of the first directors to help bring actor Jimmy Wang-Yu to the forefront as an actor, he seemed to understand the actor better than most of the directors than have worked with him. Directing him in such films as Temple Of The Red Lotus, Twin Swords, and The Sword & The Lute. And it was probably he who saw the vast potential in the young star and coaxed him to try his hand at directing, as well as leaving Shaw Bros' (they left at the same time). A penchant for wearing White (and bright) clothes, he was a very straight-forward director.
He directed one of the most controversial pieces of filmmaking when he shot the film One-Armed Swordsman Vs Zatiochi. While Wang-Yu's role as the One-Armed Swordsman was very popular throughout Asia, so were the films of Katsu Shintaro as Japan's most famous swordsman - Zatoichi (Wang-Yu's character was actually born from Zatoichi, but instead of being Blind, he lost an arm). Though done tactfully, the film ended up having (2) different versions. Japanese didn't like the titles the Chinese version presented Zatoichi Meets His Equal, suggesting that their Chinese hero was (in some ways) "superior" to Zatoichi.
He directed one of the most controversial pieces of filmmaking when he shot the film One-Armed Swordsman Vs Zatiochi. While Wang-Yu's role as the One-Armed Swordsman was very popular throughout Asia, so were the films of Katsu Shintaro as Japan's most famous swordsman - Zatoichi (Wang-Yu's character was actually born from Zatoichi, but instead of being Blind, he lost an arm). Though done tactfully, the film ended up having (2) different versions. Japanese didn't like the titles the Chinese version presented Zatoichi Meets His Equal, suggesting that their Chinese hero was (in some ways) "superior" to Zatoichi.
One for the Chinese people where the "One-Armed Swordsman" wins in the end and one for Japanese patrons where Zatoichi prevails in the end.This was to please both cultures because the Sino-Chinese war seperated Chinese and Japanese relations dramatically. The One-Armed Swordsman had only been seen in (2) previous films and Japanese people felt that there was no way in Hell he could have beaten their legend, Zatoichi. Fans will notice that it was right around this time that Wang-Yu started killing mainly Japanese in his films (which actually started with his directorial film - The Chinese Boxer).
He would later work with him on Invincible Sword, The Last Duel, and One-Armed Against 9 Killers giving the actor some very interesting vehicles to star in. As a director, he would also add some exciting films to his own resume such as 1,000 Mile Escort, Greatest Thai-Boxing, and Invincible Super Guy. Basically, all the films he shot at Shaw Bros' were Swordplay epics. For his time , he was a very skillful, yet, under-rated director.
He would later work with him on Invincible Sword, The Last Duel, and One-Armed Against 9 Killers giving the actor some very interesting vehicles to star in. As a director, he would also add some exciting films to his own resume such as 1,000 Mile Escort, Greatest Thai-Boxing, and Invincible Super Guy. Basically, all the films he shot at Shaw Bros' were Swordplay epics. For his time , he was a very skillful, yet, under-rated director.