FilmsThe SwordLike this

Films like The Sword.

The Sword (1980) reads as Sombre, kinetic, measured wuxia / new-wave, inventive in texture. Nihilistic, mid-stakes, cold. Every film below is ranked by distance across the same twelve hand-scored axes — with what it keeps, and where it walks away. Not a genre dump.

Death Duel (1977) poster
1. Death Duel1977

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the bone-dry seriousness — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

Intimate Confessions of a Chinese Courtesan (1972) poster
2. Intimate Confessions of a Chinese Courtesan1972

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the bone-dry seriousness — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

The Sentimental Swordsman (1977) poster
3. The Sentimental Swordsman1977

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the bone-dry seriousness — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

La Rupture (1970) poster
4. La Rupture1970

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the bone-dry seriousness — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

Barocco (1976) poster
5. Barocco1976

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the bone-dry seriousness; trades toward a patient, unhurried pace.

Just Before Nightfall (1971) poster
6. Just Before Nightfall1971

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the bone-dry seriousness; trades toward a patient, unhurried pace.

This Man Must Die (1969) poster
7. This Man Must Die1969

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the bone-dry seriousness — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

Wedding in Blood (1973) poster
8. Wedding in Blood1973

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the unmistakable directorial hand — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

Hunter in the Dark (1979) poster
9. Hunter in the Dark1979

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the bone-dry seriousness — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

Killer Clans (1976) poster
10. Killer Clans1976

Keeps the bone-dry seriousness and the unmistakable directorial hand — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

Don't Torture a Duckling (1972) poster
11. Don't Torture a Duckling1972

Keeps the bone-dry seriousness and the unmistakable directorial hand; trades toward a cold, bleak undertow.

Four Flies on Grey Velvet (1971) poster
12. Four Flies on Grey Velvet1971

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the unmistakable directorial hand — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

These are The Sword’s neighbours — where are yours?

Rate five posters and the same twelve axes read you — then tonight’s pick comes from your own centre of taste.

Find my film for tonight — 60 sec →