Decoding the Past: a Thriller That Rewrites History

Read Time:4 Minute, 15 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
A Queen’s Ransom (International Assassin) [E tan qun ying hui]
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Genre: Action, Adventure, Crime
Year Released: 1976, 2024 Eureka Classics Blu-ray
Runtime: 1h 36m
Director(s): Shan-Hsi Ting
Writer(s): Shan-Hsi Ting
Cast: Jimmy Wang Yu, George Lazenby, Angela Mao Ying, Ko Chun-Hsiung, Tanny Tien-Ni, Charles Heung Wah-Keung, Chang Pei-Shan, Judith Brown, Dean Shek, Bolo Yeung
Where To Watch: available May 27, 2024; pre-order here (UK) www.eurekavideo.co.uk, (US) www.mvdshop.com, or (US) www.amazon.com

RAVING REVIEW: A QUEEN'S RANSOM takes you to a different era of crime thrillers, where the past's volatile political landscape meets the cinematic thrill of an assassination attempt. Set in Hong Kong, this beautifully restored film tackles a complex tale of conspiracy against the backdrop of Queen Elizabeth II's visit. There is no better feeling when reviewing these films than when I check out older reviews and see them talking about these pieces of history not being available anywhere and knowing that thanks to physical media, that will change forever!

The film opens with a promise of intrigue and action, weaving a narrative that includes espionage and martial arts. At times, the pacing is slow in the first act as we venture through the crowded streets of Hong Kong, with a screenplay directed by Shan-Hsi Ting that meticulously, albeit at its own pace, arranges its narrative chess pieces. The scattered subplots converge into a more gripping storyline as the plot progresses.

George Lazenby embodies our lead (named George), who leads a squad of assassins who aim to disrupt the British monarchy through a daring plot. This element is taken up to eleven by the strategic use of actual footage of the Queen, which enhances the story's authenticity and invites discussions on the ethical implications of blending actual historical footage with fictional tales—a subject likely to intrigue cinephiles and critics alike. I thought it was brilliant and pretty seamlessly done for the time. Using genuine footage from Queen Elizabeth's visit interspersed with fictional elements adds depth to the narrative. It challenges the viewer to think about the intersection of authenticity and artistic license in cinema. This blend of reality and creativity makes the film more engaging and fuels ongoing debates in film criticism regarding the boundaries of historical representation in film.

While A QUEEN’S RANSOM tries to marry a political thriller with action-packed martial arts sequences, it doesn't consistently deliver the high-octane action expected from a cast celebrated for their physical prowess. The fight scenes are meticulously choreographed but lack the intensity and scale that fans of the genre and this film style have come to expect.

The film showcases a rich array of talent, but not all are given their moment in the spotlight. Despite her prominence in the billing, Angela Mao fades into the background, and Lazenby, though compelling as a cold and calculated antagonist, sometimes seems disconnected from the surrounding chaos.

However, A QUEEN’S RANSOM does more than take us back to the action thrillers of the 70s; it attempts a bold fusion of Eastern and Western filmmaking traditions amidst a politically charged storyline. The film engages deeply with the era it took place in, offering a unique window into how cinema can capture historical figures and events within a dramatic framework.

In summary, while A QUEEN’S RANSOM may not ascend to the top of its genre, it distinguishes itself with its daring blend of historical drama and action, with an exciting plot, and a distinctive directorial angle. It captures a moment in the evolution of global cinema and is worth watching for those intrigued by the interplay of diverse cultural elements within 1970s filmmaking. This film provides a captivating voyage through the possibilities of cinematic storytelling at the intersection of real-world events and narrative invention. All in a gorgeously restored piece of cinema history.

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[photo courtesy of EUREKA ENTERTAINMENT]

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