1975·Action·1h 45m
7.1
★
The Emperor's armies have developed a new weapon: a thrown blade that can remove someone's head from long distance. As the paranoid Emperor begins decapitating anyone he fears might be a threat, his guard Mau Tang becomes disillusioned with the excesses of his master. He leaves his post and takes up the quiet life of farming and raising a family. Eventually, though, his past catches up with him, and he must find a way to fight the flying guillotine if he is to save his head.
Directed by Ho Meng-Hua
guillotine
Trailer
IMDB
N/A
Where to Watch
Cast
Chen Kuan-Tai
Ma Teng
Ku Feng
Xin Kang
Wai Wang
Ah Kun / Xu Shuangkun
Chiang Yang
Emperor Yung Cheng
Liu Wu-Chi
Mrs. Ma Yu-Ping
Ai Ti
Wanzhu
Wong Yu
Xie Tianfu
Lam Wai-Tiu
Luo Peng
Norman Tsui Siu-Keung
Zhou Zhizhong F.G. sqad member
Ricky Hui Koon-Ying
Cheng Ziping F.G. sqad member
Wu Chi-Chin
Chen Xinyi F.G. sqad member
Lei Lung
Cha Zhiliang F.G. sqad member
Crew
Ho Meng-Hua
Director
Ni Kuang
Writer
Chiang Hsing-Lung
Editor
Runme Shaw
Producer
Simon Chui Yee-Ngau
Choreographer
Popular Reviews
8 reviews
jamblo
6.0★ · 01/04/26
For my first film of the year, another groovy Sunday at the Nitehawk's 'Sunday's on Fire' series – this time out, a faded a grungy-looking print of 'The Flying Guillotine,' further enhanced by a damaged projector which resulted in breaks in the film so the reels could be changed. Somehow, this all just made it that much better.
So, during the Qing dynasty, a guy invents a combination yo-yo and beekeeper's helmet which decapitates dummies & people (along with one dog) with equal aplomb. The emperor, seeing this a boon to his paranoid reign, foots the bill for a team of loyalists to train with the device so that they can dispatch his enemies and all this goes fine for everyone (well, except for the headless corpses) until one of the team splits and the remainder have to hunt him down (while still completing their various missions, unheading the emperor’s enemies) while our hero has to defend himself, his wife, and their child.
It's all pretty fun, not a gory as you might expect given, well, see above, and has some nice set-piece fights. If I've one main criticism, it is this – had the original team had been smaller, say six or eight guys instead of twelve, our lone wolf could have dispatched them in a more time conscious manner which would have dramatically helped the film's pacing.
Still good crowd, good time, and I won a prize so all’s good.
So, during the Qing dynasty, a guy invents a combination yo-yo and beekeeper's helmet which decapitates dummies & people (along with one dog) with equal aplomb. The emperor, seeing this a boon to his paranoid reign, foots the bill for a team of loyalists to train with the device so that they can dispatch his enemies and all this goes fine for everyone (well, except for the headless corpses) until one of the team splits and the remainder have to hunt him down (while still completing their various missions, unheading the emperor’s enemies) while our hero has to defend himself, his wife, and their child.
It's all pretty fun, not a gory as you might expect given, well, see above, and has some nice set-piece fights. If I've one main criticism, it is this – had the original team had been smaller, say six or eight guys instead of twelve, our lone wolf could have dispatched them in a more time conscious manner which would have dramatically helped the film's pacing.
Still good crowd, good time, and I won a prize so all’s good.
For my first film of the year, another groovy Sunday at the Nitehawk's 'Sunday's on Fire' series – this time out, a faded a grungy-looking print of 'The Flying Guillotine,' further enhanced by a damaged projector which resulted in breaks in the film so the reels could be changed. Somehow, this all just made it that much better.
So, during the Qing dynasty, a guy invents a combination yo-yo and beekeeper's helmet which decapitates dummies & people (along with one dog) with equal aplomb. The emperor, seeing this a boon to his paranoid reign, foots the bill for a team of loyalists to train with the device so that they can dispatch his enemies and all this goes fine for everyone (well, except for the headless corpses) until one of the team splits and the remainder have to hunt him down (while still completing their various missions, unheading the emperor’s enemies) while our hero has to defend himself, his wife, and their child.
It's all pretty fun, not a gory as you might expect given, well, see above, and has some nice set-piece fights. If I've one main criticism, it is this – had the original team had been smaller, say six or eight guys instead of twelve, our lone wolf could have dispatched them in a more time conscious manner which would have dramatically helped the film's pacing.
Still good crowd, good time, and I won a prize so all’s good.
So, during the Qing dynasty, a guy invents a combination yo-yo and beekeeper's helmet which decapitates dummies & people (along with one dog) with equal aplomb. The emperor, seeing this a boon to his paranoid reign, foots the bill for a team of loyalists to train with the device so that they can dispatch his enemies and all this goes fine for everyone (well, except for the headless corpses) until one of the team splits and the remainder have to hunt him down (while still completing their various missions, unheading the emperor’s enemies) while our hero has to defend himself, his wife, and their child.
It's all pretty fun, not a gory as you might expect given, well, see above, and has some nice set-piece fights. If I've one main criticism, it is this – had the original team had been smaller, say six or eight guys instead of twelve, our lone wolf could have dispatched them in a more time conscious manner which would have dramatically helped the film's pacing.
Still good crowd, good time, and I won a prize so all’s good.
Sid
7.0★ · 07/14/24
Such a cool movie. The hat that kills people is a must see.
Such a cool movie. The hat that kills people is a must see.
Nick
7.2★ · 04/21/21
more plot-focused than most Shaw brothers movies. The use of the flying guillotine is enjoyable at first, but loses a bit of its novelty towards the end of the film. I would’ve liked to see more/better martial arts choreo. Overall it’s a fun watch though
more plot-focused than most Shaw brothers movies. The use of the flying guillotine is enjoyable at first, but loses a bit of its novelty towards the end of the film. I would’ve liked to see more/better martial arts choreo. Overall it’s a fun watch though
Ianis Ungureanu
7.0★ · 12/24/25
Josh Cooley
7.5★ · 01/31/25