Raw Courage (1969)

Could have been better and shorter

Raw Courage starred Cheng Pei Pei and Yueh Hua who were tasked with protecting the infant Crown Prince after the Ming Emperor was once again deposed. Director Lo Wei began the film with an army and ended it with a whimper.

As the palace burns with the overthrow of Emperor Jian Wen, he entrusts his infant son to the Black Dragon leader. Rebel forces attack the Black Dragon and he is forced to send his daughter Hsiu Yi and surviving disciple Chin with the child to his brother the White Dragon far away. As they leave the duo are saved by Mo Wen Tien aka the Old Beggar. He gives them contacts to help on their journey. The first and most important is Fei Yun who ends up being their guide through the harrowing checkpoints. The little band is pursued by Yen Tsang and his army and the fearsome Old Monster.

I’m a huge fan of Cheng Pei Pei and love to watch her swing her sword while the stunt men go flying. This was not one of her stronger roles. Most of her dialogue centered on her asking Fei Yun, “what do you think we should do?” Wu Fung’s Chin was stuck with being the jealous older “brother.” Yueh Hua had the most fun as the easy going Beggar disciple guiding the two neophytes through treacherous territory. Tien Feng’s villain was poorly drawn and wasn’t that interesting. Lee Sau Kei’s blue-faced Monster had potential but not enough screen time.

The fights consisted of swinging swords. Aside from a trident and a weapon that looked like a garden weeder, there was nothing out of the ordinary. Poor Pei Pei fought with a baby on her back throughout the film. Three against an army over and over became wearisome as there was nothing to focus the eyes upon. Unlike 70’s films, there was no spewing blood or flying limbs. The bodies certainly stacked up, but most did so bloodlessly. I found myself watching the background characters during the fights. The extra fighters were at least given things to do beside hopping back and forth like some films. Though humorously one killed character pinned to a stone wall with a sword kept moving around during the fights. Poor guy had to be uncomfortable.

The film had the Shaw Brothers polish to it with quality sets and outdoor scenery. My biggest complaint with the film was the pacing and its length. Despite the chemistry of Pei Pei and Yueh Hua, the film dragged badly. The sense of urgency and danger dissipated due to the lack of stakes and repetition of conflicts. The intrepid trio inexplicably escaped overwhelming odds on numerous occasions to the point even for a martial arts movie that it made no sense. When I found myself focusing more on the stuntmen than Pei Pei, there was a problem. Having said all that there were entertaining moments so if you are a fan of any of the actors or enjoy martial arts films from this era it is one to try, just best to keep your expectations low. As always, graded on a kung fu curve.

7 August 2026

Trigger warning: Brief nudity, non-sexual.

Photo bomb note: I loved that during one scene while the trio paused on their horses, a dragonfly buzzed in front of the camera! No take 2!

Will someone please think of the children note! : The poor baby cried at all the inopportune moments during the early parts of the film and then went silent for the rest of the film. Probably because the poor thing was rarely fed or diaper changed. Proper care of a child was not a priority for the film, just an accessory for Pei Pei's back and something to alert the evil doers of the good guys' location.

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