The Dead and the Deadly (1982)

The film creates a perfect balance between action and depth of basic needs, in the midst of an infertile atmosphere.

This film is so real. It treats its characters with so much care and sensitivity.

Each character in this movie — down to the smallest one — is an individual rather than a type, prone to spontaneous changes of mood and sometimes amusing outbursts of pettiness or ill humor.

Great story, amazing characters, superb action, enthralling cinematography. Yes, this is something I am glad I spent money on.

This is a fun and captivating horror-comedy from Hong Kong that stars martial arts legend Sammo Hung as Wah Li, who helps run a funeral service with his colleagues and his great-uncle, Yee. When the body of his friend, Ma Lun Chio, is brought back in the village, Wah Li is suspicious of his supposed death at such a young age and the intentions of his supposed pregnant wife.This movie has a good balance of horror and comedy that keeps the plot's momentum going strong, and showcases many impressive martial arts moves from the actors, including that of Sammo Hung and director Ma Wu, who also plays the part of Ma Lun Chio. The plot of Wah Li investigating the supposed death of his friend is an attention grabber that leads to even more intriguing stuff when the plot delves into creepy scenes involving wicked priests, ghosts and the hell police.This movie also stars actor Lam Ching-Ying in his first ever role playing the "Vampire-Busting" Tao Priest, which he would go on to reprise in many different character incarnations in later horror-comedies, most notably in the Mr. Vampire film series. Rounding up the main cast is actress Cherie Chung, who plays the kind yet ferocious fiancée of Sammo Hung's character.Overall, it's one of the best ghost comedies from Hong Kong and is one I would watch repeatedly. It has just the right amount of horror, comedy and drama blended in together to make a very entertaining film.Grade A

this movie was funny at times and the few fight scenes were actually well-done. one of the things i really liked about this movie was its strange and original story line. if you are into strange comedy movies, check this one out.

Being the bias Sammo Hung loving hippy i am, i can do nothing but heap praise on this little gem. Sammo plays Wah Li (i know this by looking it up, my subtitles only refer to him as "fatboy") Wah Li is a generous loyal friend to all and decides to look into the murder of his friend Ma Lun Chio (Wu Ma like whOa!) when he smells something fishy. Ma Lun Chio has hatched a plan with a woman and her " villainous " cohort to fake his death and devide his inheritance among the three of them. The woman substitutes as his wife as an heir is needed for the forture to be collect.Supernatural hijinx ensues as Sammo and Lam Ching Ying (playing and older, less dignified but ten times more loveable sifu then he will in the "vampire" series) work with Ma Lun Chio to avenge his death.My cousin who is ten and i had and absolute laugh fest during the scene where Wu Ma is tormenting a now stubborn Sammo into helping him. A real feel good movie experience. The ending must be seen to be believed. I wish beyond words HK films were still being made like this. Sammo needs to revive the ghost kung fu comedys he does so well.8/10

Bonkers chop-socky that is part satire of ludicrous Hong Kong supernatural martial arts films, and part brilliant example of how it should be done. A rare wheeze that actually does have something for everyone:Excellent slapstick comedy - the hero is pompous and fat, not lithe and Jackie Chan-like; getting into daft, self-generated scrapes, he is kicked about by every one, and guards a dead friend who isn't really dead in an hilarious scene that has him fending off curious gold thieves. He is repeatedly buffeted by otherworldly menaces, first his mischievous friend, then Satan's minions, who turn him into a lime-covered bug.Action - Choreographed with great skill, played mostly for laughs, but there is one sequence - the friend's murder - that is filmed with rare beauty.Horror - Again, mostly comic, with a remarkable use of somewhat cheap special effects.Historical costume drama - not very precise, but the costumes and set-design are an immense, guilty, Orientalist pleasure.Satire - under all the laughs is a serious study of repressive social and gender codes, and the last scene is spectacularly subversive in its implications.