HEX Hong Kong horror hysteria
released OUT NOW! 1980 | 18 | Blu-ray & dVd (dual format) Director Kuei Chih-Hung Cast Tien Ni, Wang Yung, Chen szu-Chia
Hong Kong’s Shaw Brothers studio is rightly famous for its martial arts movies, but it also worked in other genres, including horror. Now 88 Films have launched their new 88 Asia Collection imprint with a typically bonkers example.
This historical tale sees an abusive husband and his lover conspiring to scare his wife to death by pretending his drowned corpse has returned to menace her. But then the wife’s spirit – or is it?! – starts haunting the scheming couple in return…
Mist-shrouded sets, outrageously melodramatic music, XL performances and broad comic relief – on seeing the ghost, a visiting workman wets himself with almost explosive force – combine in hugely entertaining style.
But what’s most memorable is the way the wife’s ghost (or is it?!) is finally cast out, via what’s surely cinema’s sexiest exorcism. This involves her buck naked spirit moaning ecstatically as she’s whipped and has dog’s blood spat onto her breasts. At frankly unnecessary length. Utterly gobsmacking.
Extras Hong Kong movie expert Bey Logan discusses the history of Shaw Brothers studios and the languages of HK cinema (30 minutes); trailer; eight-page booklet. Ian Berriman
The 88 Asia Collection’s next Shaw Brothers horror is due for release on 24 October: 1975 shocker Black Magic.