Not quite the action-packed masterpiece I'd been led to expect, DUEL TO THE DEATH nevertheless proves to be a very well made and well developed ninja story of a duel between Chinese and Japanese masters. It's quite an odd concoction, a very serious look at international rivalry a la HEROES OF THE EAST for the most part, yet with twenty or so minutes of gory ninja mayhem tacked on at the end. There's not quite enough ninja action for my liking - Shaw's FIVE ELEMENT NINJAS is far superior in that respect - but that which does occur is very creative and entertaining. The acting is great with Norman Chu and Eddy Ko shining in particular, and the final duel is a classic.
Review of Duel to the Death
