More in common than just blades

We watched a pair of memorable films last night during a "Family Movie Night" on DVD -- Tim Burton's "Edward Scissorhands" and Chang Cheh's "Dubei Dao (One-Armed Swordsman)."
Although selected coincidentally, the films shared enough themes to make it seem like an inspired choice. These films shared more than just hands full of sharp objects.
They had more in common than just blades.
Directors known for their uncommon visionary styles were at the helm for both films. Both films also concerned a disfigured man who struggles to adjust to the world around him.
Edward (Johnny Depp) is plucked from his lonely world by the visiting Avon Lady (Dianne Wiest).
Already feeling like an outsider at his martial arts school home, Fang Gang (Jimmy Wang Yu) loses his arm when it is lopped off by the teacher's daughter Qi Pei-er (Pan Yin Tze). Then Fang Gang is plucked from certain death by a passing farm girl on a boat -- Hsiaoman (Chiao Chiao).
Both Edward and Fang Gang are driven by loyalty (remember Edward helping to rob the house simply because Winona Ryder's Kim asked him?).
Perseverance also pays off for both characters. Fang Gang must re-learn martial arts with only the use of his left arm. Edward takes his seeming deformity -- scissors for hands -- and learns to create beautiful works of art out of hedges and hairstyles.
Ultimately, the films both end with a feeling of enforced separation. Fang Gang saves his adopted father, but doesn't return home. He has dedicated his life to farming with Hsiaoman. Edward returns to the mansion on the mountaintop. He couldn't conquer irrational human fear -- just as he ultimately couldn't understand most humans, most humans couldn't understand him.
Watching these films was a great way to spend a drizzly night indoors. They gave me plenty to think about, too.