DEADFUL MELODY (1993) back to main
Directed by Ng Min-Kun; starring Brigitte Lin Ching-Hsia, Yuen Biao, Carina Lau Kar-Ling, Elvis Tsui Kam-Kong, Wu Ma, Chan Lung, Mang Hoi.
The original Cantonese title, LUK YI KAM MOH (Six-Fingered Strings Demon), is much more telling. Brigitte Lin plays Snow, a woman who blasts away every foe with the power of her six-string magic lyre. As you probably know, the magic lyre gives its owner control of the "martial-arts world". Not surprisingly, all the clans are after it, and they don't take prisoners to get it! Among the slightly loony wizard folk are Wu Ma as a red-bearded magician, Tsui Kam-Kong (with plenty of hair for a change) and Carina Lau as a rather lovely, goofish martial-arts disciple. Anchoring all the weirdness is the reliable Yuen Biao, who again personifies sincerity and common sense. DEADFUL MEDLOY commands attention not only as one of Brigitte Lin's last films, but as THE movie about the significance of the lyre for Chinese mythology. The gymnastic exercises and wire-work aren't bad either. 
Here it is: The magic, powerful lyre,
with Brigitte Lin playing a
"deadful melody".
If there is one thing HK actors do
know something about it is how to make
an entrance.
Wu Ma, a bit more bizarre in
appearance than in A CHINESE GHOST STORY. He too wants the lyre.

 
WE GOT IT, OK?
Carina Lau Kar-Ling, one of the most notable positive aspects of DEADFUL MELODY, gets instructed by sifu Wu Ma.

 
 
Director Ng Min-Kun (who also did GHOST LEGEND, his only other film of note) has an occasional eye for
the picturesque.
Being a martial-arts veteran,
Brigitte Lin knows how to hold her own
against any competition.
Yuen Biao has his own way
with the ladies. That's Carina
Lau, by the way.