Famed director Zhu Shilin tries his hand at a horror film! The beginning of The Living Corpse immediately sets the tone with a folk duet clearly inspired by the popular 1956 musical Songs of the Peach Blossom River. The duet, in addition to Zhu's frequent use of long, empty shots and crisp editing, gives this horror film a traditional poetic charm and a strong folk flavor. Mise-en-scene and sound effects create a terrifying atmosphere, and successfully communicate the ghostliness of a world without ghosts.
Young Ethan is a hopeless lay about who becomes an undertaker's assistant. The undertaker takes pity on the lad and teaches him Gravedigger kung fu so he can avenge his parents' death. Great styles on display here including Three Zombie Strike, Frozen Mantis, Wicked Witch Kung Fu and the Gravedigger Style.