One of the most important functions of an event like the Philadelphia Film Festival is to introduce viewers to new types of cinema and to break down commonly-held misconceptions about various cultures. This year's program contains a tribute to the legendary Shaw Brothers, whose long litany of martial arts epics have defined the genre for over half a century. When most Westerners think of kung-fu movies they typically conjure up images of warriors assuming exaggerated stances, making goofy faces and exclaiming "hwwaaaaaa!". Thankfully none of these stereotypical elements appear in King Hu's 1966 martial arts debut Come Drink With Me, the first of five films in the Shaw Brothers program.

Filmed in patented "Shaw Scope" (which is really just Scope with a special name), Come Drink With Me is a stylish period piece rife with political deception, romantic subtexts and, of course, a plethora of martial arts action. While escorting a convey of prisoners, a chief magistrate is attacked and abducted by Jade-Faced Tiger and his band of ruthless brutes. They take the hostage, who turns out the be the son of the regional Governor, and demand that one of their leaders be released from prison. Unwilling to do business with outlaws, the Governor sends a lone swordsman (Golden Swallow) to bring back his son. Though it is very clear that she is a woman (and a captivating one at that), she somehow fools everyone in town into thinking she is a man.

Golden Swallow (Cheng Pei Pei) settles down for a drink at the local inn where she is accosted by some of Jade-Faced Tiger's thugs, led by Smiling Tiger Tsu Kan. In an impressive display of technical skill and bodily control she systematically disarms every last warrior without breaking a sweat. Assassins attempt to kill her while she sleeps that night, but she is saved by the thieving antics of drunken beggar Fan Ta Pei (Yueh Hua). She is grateful to the seemingly benign drunkard, who then cleverly provides information vital to her mission in the form of a children's song. Golden Swallow subsequently infiltrates the temple stronghold of Jade-Faced Tiger's clan only to be trapped into a tense showdown. (She's now wearing a bow in her hair and carrying a basket, so everyone will know she's a woman.)

The ruffians quickly learn the extent of Golden Swallow's deadly skills, as wave after wave of hapless underlings wind up dead at the hands of her twin dagger assault. Jade-Faced Tiger himself proves to be quite a worthy adversary and only through the timely intervention of Fan Ta Pei does she escape, though not before taking a poison dart in the shoulder. He rescues her once again and nurses her back to health at his wooded shack, where his true identity (an accomplished martial arts master) is revealed after a brief skirmish with a search party. After imparting some of his wisdom on Golden Swallow, Fan Ta Pei schemes to help her rescue the magistrate (her brother) and best his long-time adversary, Abbot Liao Kung, in the film's climactic battle.

Though it was filmed nearly forty years ago, Come Drink With Me is a visually striking epic filled with lavish sets and fabulous costumes. The digitally remastered print that I saw was bright, vivid and virtually free of dust or scratches; it looked like it could have been shot just a few years ago. The outdoor scenes (filmed on location in Hong Kong) effectively underscore the pitched battle sequences, while the interior sets (built on the Shaw Brothers studio lot) are all lush with intricate detail and wonderfully designed. The scope photography, coupled with an excellent eye for cinematography, brilliantly brings out the visual detail of each and every scene. Some stretches are strangely soft and blurry, but overall Come Drink With Me is truly a treat to watch.

The fantastic costume design is one of the main reasons the film succeeds, and the attention to detail evident even on background characters is noteworthy. Golden Swallow's garments in particular are reserved and distinguished, and enhance her character by suppressing her sexuality and highlighting her steely demeanor. Few, if any, of the Shaw Brothers films ever saw a large production budget, yet Come Drink With Me never looks cheap or skimpy. Of course, the exceptional fight scenes also go a long way in making the film a worthwhile experience. Battles are fast-paced and carefully choreographed, but are punctuated by tense pauses to help build suspense. There are a handful of unconvincing deaths and wound effects, but these luckily don't hinder the tone of the film and are easily overlooked considering the film's strengths. Though the film is heavy on drama, there are plenty of action set pieces to help uphold the comfortable pacing.

While viewers of late-nite kung-fu flicks might be accustomed to cheesy acting, the cast of Come Drink With Me all provide competent, dignified performances. Nineteen-year-old Cheng Pei Pei, who will become one of the top martial arts actresses of her time, is absolutely riveting in the role of the Golden Swallow. She carries the film with her natural beauty and calm, confident demeanor, as well as her exceptional physical abilities. All of her fight sequences are a joy to watch due to her dance-like movements and graceful rhythm. In this type of film my personal preferences tend to gravitate towards assertive, sharply-dressed female samurai who wield deadly force with grace and beauty, and I must admit that it's gratifying to see an attractive woman carry a film without being sexually objectified in the process. I should also point out that it was rather uncommon for females to be cast as leads in martial arts films at the time the film was made, making Cheng Pei Pei's performance all the more significant.

Come Drink With Me rates very highly for a first-time experience, and I'm eagerly anticipating the other Shaw Brothers films in the festival. Just days ago I enjoyed my first film from Alex de la Iglesia, and now my first Shaw Brothers film is equally gratifying. With restrained performances, smart martial arts sequences and fantastic cinematography, Come Drink With Me proves just what can be accomplished in the genre with a true talent behind the lens. Though it might not be the best of the swordplay movies produced by Shaw Studios, this is still a fun and engaging film to watch. I highly recommend it for both genre veterans and neophytes alike.

Thumbs Up. A fantastic introduction to the Shaw Brothers lineage, Come Drink With Me is a sharp action drama driven by tense fight scenes and a captivating female lead.