Overview: From Hong Kong’s legendary Shaw Brothers studio comes a blood-drenched story of ninjas, eunuchs and dark palace intrigue: the old emperor is on his last legs, and his most ambitious and amoral son plots to cheat his way to the throne.

But taking power is the easy bit. Staying on top will prove much more difficult. Based on a particularly infamous chapter of Chinese history, The Lady Assassin mixes pageantry with some of the most awesome sword fights in any Shaw Brothers film - and that’s really saying something!

88 Films are proud to present this classic of swords and scheming for the first time in the UK on Blu-ray.

Blu-ray Verdict: Intrigue and power plays in the palace. The fourth and fourteenth son of the emperor are fighting to be next in line to the throne. Their henchmen are also jostling for favor and positions. Other characters come in and fight these characters, maybe on behalf of someone maybe not and then it’s all a bit too messy to tell.

It’s convoluted but entertaining enough. And the final fight is great, for some reason ninjas are in it but I’m not going to complain about that. I will, however, complain about some of the fights along the way being a bit too obviously sped up. Usually I don’t notice, so this must have been pretty glaring. Also, what’s with the title? I mean I guess there is a female assassin but she doesn’t really do anything assassin-y until the end!

All that said, and though not as fanciful as Zu Warriors, Lady Assassin is nevertheless chock full of wild shenanigans that had my head spinning for hours regardless. What an final shot! What a borderline nausea-inducing, incomprehensible plot! I loved it all!

Bonus Features:
Limited Edition O-ring
Limited Edition Set of 4 collectors art cards
Brand New artwork by Sam Green
High Definition (1080p) Presentation in 2.35:1 Aspect Ratio
2.0 DTS-HD MA Cantonese Soundtrack with newly translated English Subtitles
From Child Actor to Fight Coordinator - An Interview with Poon Kin-Kwan
Stills Gallery
Trailer
Reversible sleeve featuring original art

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