King Hu's "LEGEND OF THE MOUNTAIN"

Movie review by Dennis D. McDonald

One of the tags I’ve assigned to this 1979 movie, filmed in rural Korea, is “surreal.” The juxtaposition of a demons-in-human-form ghost story in ancient China against extraordinarily beautiful landscapes is both hypnotic and at times scary.

Let the viewer beware: at over three hours this film takes its time to introduce the characters. Once it gets going it charges along propelled by magic, fire, occasional humor, clanging music, drumbeats, and the constant presence of mist and smoke.

My favorite part of the movie: the flute competition. Two beautiful flautists compete with the backing of a traditional orchestra. What we see on screen instead is a remarkable evocation of nature with surf, flocking birds, and gorgeous landscapes. What emerges from the competition is enmity that undergirds much of the mystery that plays out in ghostly ways throughout the movie.

Both Buddhism and Taoism are represented as warring through their priests over how humans and demons interact. Who is the winner and who is the loser? That’s never really made clear. One thing is certain: romances between humans and ghosts in human form are to be discouraged!

Movie review copyright (c) 2020 by Dennis D. McDonald

More Movies Tagged as “Surreal”