What Price Survival (1994)

Broadly in the same category as Ashes Of Time and The Blade, but darker and a bit more surreal. Quite impenetrable, but visually luscious. Couldn't work out quite what time period it was set in either... maybe 1950s?

Lots of swordfighting in the film, the greatest pleasure being to see Norman Tsui and Damian Lau face off with each other, 12 years after Duel To The Death. Purists will no doubt be horrified by the way it's filmed & edited though, as it masks quite a lot of what's happening in the action.

The plot is broadly in the tragic revenge ouevre (can I say that?), with greedy & power-hungry vs. honourable & righteous type conflicts, with a little conflicted romance subplot in there too.

It's not as good as ASHES OF TIME or THE BLADE, but if you're interested in something stylish a different, take a look.