FLYING GUILLOTINE
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| Not Rated
| | Copyright 1974 Shaw Brothers
| | Reviewed by Andrew Borntreger on 'a long time ago'
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- Mau Tang - Loyal imperial guard until he decides the Emperor is a ruthless and stressed out asshole. (I said "stressed," not "stretched" - sicko.)
- Yau Ping - Woman who falls in love with Mau Tang at first sight.
- Sau San - Kid who is the product of Yau Ping falling in love with Mau Tang at first sight.
- The Emperor - Stressed out asshole. (Look, we already went over this.)
- Sing Ching - Servant to the Emperor who invents the flying guillotine for use as an assassin's tool. Loses his head to that very invention.
- Su San Kun - Unprincipled man who is a spy for the Emperor, he uses this power to eliminate people who anger him. Guillotined by Mau Tang.
- The Horde of Extras - If you were an extra in a martial arts film would you charge the main character?
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| When the Emperor of China wants a new weapon all bets are off, though I am fairly certain a particular lineage of the French nobility would have shied away from the chosen device. The flying guillotine is remarkable, Sing Ching's weapon can be thrown a hundred yards, despite appearing to be made of brass and steel. (About ten pounds I would guess.) After it drops around the victim's neck one just pulls the chain and it flies back, carrying the head with it. A special detachment of guards are trained to perfection with the new weapon, once ready the Emperor sets them to assassinating every opponent or dissident at large. Watching a portly man run around without his head like a deceased chicken has a fair amount of entertainment value by the way. Mau Tang is blind to the amusing side of his work, he deserts the elite troop to ease his conscience. Being a hunted man for eternity was preferable to hanging around the palace though, just try putting a power hungry jerk on the left shoulder of a paranoid Emperor. Plenty of good people end up dead thanks to Su San Kun, he is constantly ratting them out as a traitor or some other bad influence. Our hero puts his time on the run to good use, starting a family, working his farm, and when the authorities close in he creates a weapon to battle the flying guillotine. (It looks like a metal umbrella.) |
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| Things I Learned From This Movie: | |
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- When the boss is angry with you try repeatedly smacking your head against the ground, cheers him up every time.
- Avoid areas where people wearing blindfolds practice throwing sharp objects.
- The pole vault was invented by Chinese guards deserting from unjust governments.
- Wanted posters were less useful before photography.
- Don't teach your kids how to walk in the middle of a road.
- In feudal China stealing a baby would instantly attract a mob of angry farmers with hoes.
- Swords can be thrown like spears.
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- 5 mins - Kinda reaffirms your belief in democracy doesn't it?
- 8 mins - RANDOM ACT OF VIOLENCE AGAINST A DOG!
- 15 mins - You idiot, I'd say it is more likely that someone has ordered or paid for her to sleep with you.
- 16 mins - RANDOM GRATUITOUS BREAST SHOT!
- 36 mins - Huh, must be the door to the "Frankenstein" set.
- 51 mins - Why don't you invent the plow or something?
- 62 mins - Sick of eating rice?
- 72 mins - All of China to search and they actually find your little hamlet.
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| | Audio clips in wav format | SOUNDS | Starving actors speak out | |
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| File | Dialog |  | fguillotine1.wav
| Emperor: "You make one mistake and you lose your head!"
| | fguillotine2.wav
| Sing Ching: "What's all this about?"
Mau Tang: "This Buddha, my late mother gave it to me and he stepped on it; he insulted my mother. So I hit him!"
| | fguillotine3.wav
| Mau Tang: "We're not humans, just animals! We're only tools. Tools that kill for the Emperor!"
| | fguillotine4.wav
| Su San Kun: "All your family is dead by now; my job's to take your head."
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| Click for a larger image | IMAGES | Scenes from the movie | |
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| | Watch a scene | VIDEO | MPEG video files | |
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| | Leave a comment | EXTRAS | Buy the movie | |
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| Flying Guillotine
Reply #1. Posted on April 12, 2000, 12:11:05 PM by jlouder@wfu.edu
The flying guilotine resembles a device used in _Heroic Trio_ (good Hong Kong flick). I wonder HT got the idea from this movie. Anyone know?
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Reply #2. Posted on April 19, 2000, 02:25:35 PM by Paul Westbrook
Thesae martial arts movies have a special place in my heart, and this one is no exception. Talk about violent, intense action. That's what makes these films woth watching.
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Reply #3. Posted on November 25, 2006, 04:10:12 PM by Muhammad J. Fox
I'm very glad this classic can be bought these days. I remember watching this movie on tv as a child along with "the 5 deadly venoms". They don't make martial arts movies like they used to.
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Reply #4. Posted on November 25, 2006, 04:09:49 PM by Hangman (Victor)
The Flying Guillotine is one of the most hideous devices ever seen. The only thing I've regretted is that no one have the interest to make a modern remake of this movie. Three great candidates for a remake are: Jet Lee, Vincent Zchao & James wong. I think there are about five prequels so far. These are: Flying Guillotine, Fatal Flying Guillotine, Master Of The Flying Guillotine, Shaolin Silver Spear & Heroic Trio I. The Silver Spear is the hardest to find.
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Reply #5. Posted on November 25, 2006, 04:09:49 PM by Jeffrey Bisti
We bought this movie along with three other high-quality flicks from our local flea market, and we plan on having a little get together to watch it tonight after The Simpsons. The videos on this site helped us stir up interest among friends... I'll let you know how it goes.
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Reply #6. Posted on November 25, 2006, 04:09:49 PM by Gabe Kelly
I remember this flick back when I was five years old. I also remember The Fatal Flying Guillotine, which I own, and Master of the Flying Guillotine, which, by request of the Almighty Martial Arts Immortals (Wong-Fei Hung, Bruce Lee, Lam Sai Wing, et al.), is being re-released to theaters in June. Let's hope the good times keep rolling a-head. (Nyuk, Nyuk,Nyuk...)
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Reply #7. Posted on November 25, 2006, 04:09:49 PM by Marc Ferriere
This movie is pretty passable. I kinda wish that the Emperor got his, though. The Emperor in this movie is the biggest freakin' cock. I mean, he kicks you in the face, and that's if he LIKES you! Don't get this one expecting Venoms-quality of kung fu, though. There are about 4 lamely choreographed fight scenes and the rest is all heads-a-poppin. Good stuff and good Shaw Brothers gore.
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Reply #8. Posted on December 03, 2001, 11:37:25 PM by Briansan
As someone pointed out above, there are actually four sequels featuring the flying guillotine. If you ever want to be an assasin, the FG is a good choice considering the instant feedback on whether you made the right hit or not !
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