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The Dead and the Deadly
人嚇人
1982 99 min Hong Kong 12+
★6.8
Comedy, Horror, Fantasy, Action
Director: Wu Ma
Trailers
EN
EN
Description
Wah Li, known as Fat Boy to his friends, lives with his great-uncle the priest (Uncle). Together with his oddball friends Lai Li and Momo, Wah Li helps Uncle to run the local funeral services. When the body Ma Lun Chio is brought back to the village by a new wife and her "brother", Wai Li is suspicious. He sets out to find out how his friend died, but things are not what they seem.
Starring
Sammo Kam-Bo Hung
Actor
Wu Ma
Actor
Ching-Ying Lam
Actor
Awards
5 nominations total
Key opinion
The Dead and the Deadly is a quintessential example of 1980s Hong Kong genre-bending, successfully blending supernatural comedy, martial arts, and Chinese folklore. While casual viewers may find the plot thin and the humor lowbrow, enthusiasts of the era appreciate the charismatic lead performances and the inventive, well-choreographed fight sequences.
| Acting | Sammo Hung delivers a charismatic and standout performance that elevates the film's energy. | |
| Direction | The martial arts choreography is a highlight, featuring spectacular and effective fight sequences. | |
| Screenplay | The film leans heavily into comedy and martial arts spectacle, often at the expense of substantive narrative depth. | |
| Humor | The humor relies on lowbrow, slapstick gags, which delights fans of the genre but may feel hollow to others. |