SWORDKILL

US, 1986, 81 minutes, Colour.
Directed by J. Larry Carroll.

Swordkill is a better-than-average martial arts film. It is highly derivative of Japanese Samurai stories and their Ninja variations. It is also similar to Fred Schepisi's Iceman. A warrior, seemingly killed in the 16th century, is buried in the ice and is revived in the 20th century.

The film has some excellent costume action sequences in its 16th. century setting. They are particularly well done and engage audience attention. However, the re-animation of the warrior in the 20th century, in a hospital with all its technology, in a new world in which he is lost is also quite fascinating. The film plays well on this theme - the warrior confronting 20th century situations which resemble those of the past. He leaves behind him a trail of mayhem - because he is provoked by the scum of the American cities. While this is thematically valid, it also offers the opportunity for all kinds of martial arts stunt work and special effects with gory style.

The film also focuses on the scientists and those involved in trying to track down the identity of the warrior. The scientists, the historians are all presented as professionals - with the blend of sympathy as well
as professional ambition. There is also a romantic background.

While the film is to be seen as an action adventure, it does, in its entertaining way, raise questions of comparisons of culture and the perennial good and bad in human nature.