“Return of the Sentimental Swordsman” is a 1981 Shaw Brothers martial arts wuxia film directed by Chor Yuen.
This film stars Ti Lung as Li Xunhuan, Derek Yee as Ah Fei, and features the unforgettable Alexander Fu Sheng as Jing Wuming. Among the cast are a host of other familiar faces, including Ku Feng, Kara Wai, Lo Lieh, Yuen Hua, and Ching Li, making this a true gathering of martial arts legends.
While this film offers some intriguing art direction and visually captivating shots, it falls short when it comes to delivering an engaging and coherent storyline. My viewing experience found the plot to be either challenging to follow or entirely absent.
Despite its narrative shortcomings, “Return of the Sentimental Swordsman” may still hold some appeal for die-hard fans of Ti Lung and Fu Sheng. The finale of the film between the top four martial artists is pretty entertaining and fun to watch.
Based on Gu Long’s Xiaoli Feidao series of novels, this film attempts to bring these legendary characters to life.