Young swordsman Lung Fei encounters strange omens portending the death of his fiancee Ting Tzu-chu. His enquiries with the help of Chief Constable Tieh Hu reveal an astounding story.
Production
Chor Yuen's labyrinthine sets drip with gothic atmosphere.
Cinematography
Shadow-drenched compositions that would make Mario Bava jealous.
Costume
The Black Lizard's theatrical ensembles are camp nightmare fuel.
Director
Chor Yuen
Derek Yee
Long Fei
Sun Chien
Constable Tieh Fu
Helen Poon Bing-Seung
Ding Zi Zhu
Elliot Ngok Wah
Security Chief Xiao Lik
Mannor Chan Man-Na
Mrs Xiao Xian Jun
Eddie Koo Koon Chung
Hired Killer
Yuen Wah
Black Lizard
Yang Chi-Ching
Butler Zhou
Lau Wai-Ling
Nanny
Ng Yuen-Jun
Xiao Ruo Yu
Wang Sha
He San
Gam Tin-Chue
Banquet Guest
Sai Gwa-Pau
Banquet Guest
Fung Ging-Man
Coffin Delivery Man
Wang Han-Chen
Banquet Guest
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Chor Yuen adapted this from a Japanese detective novel by Edogawa Rampo, transplanting 1920s Tokyo decadence into Tang dynasty aesthetics.
The Black Lizard character was originally male in Rampo's novel; Chor Yuen gender-swapped the role and cast Helen Poon in a performance that steals the entire film.
HK
