Old Kung Fu Movies You've Gotta See!

Bruce Lee The Invincible (1978, HK)

2011-07-12T22:17:00.000-04:00

Starring: Bruce Li (as Ho Chung Dao), Chen Sing, Chan Wai-Man, Nick Cheung. Directed by: Law Kei

This is a movie for the hardcore Bruce Li (aka Ho Chung Tao) fans! While by no means a superb kung fu movie, it's a very good, entertaining kung fu movie and something fun to watch when you're bored and stuck at home on the weekends.

In "Bruce Lee....", Chan Lee Kung (Chan, in a sinister role), a Shaolin student in China, betrays his school and vows to do penance by going into exile in Malaysia. Three years later, Chan has become the feared, ruthless leader of a criminal empire which has set up its base of operations in a small Malaysian village. Since Chan is well-trained in Shaolin kung fu and he has an army of men at his disposal, there's nothing the local authorities can do to stop him.

Meanwhile back in China, one of Shaolin's students named Shu San (Cheung) is going to Malaysia to visit his family and quietly scout around for any info about Chan to report back to Shaolin. When he arrives at his family's village, it doesn't take long for him to discover that this is also Chan's base of operations. To make matters even more complicated, both Chan and Shu San are both in love with Wai Sin, Shu San's cousin.

One day Chan and his men take Wai Sin by force after she rejects him and when Shu San comes to her rescue, they give him a very bad beating. Fortunately he managed to send a telegram back to Shaolin and help soon comes when Master Fok Yuen Gap (Chen) and his best student Yu Fong (Li) come to town to take down Chan.

Can they overcome Chan and his men and accomplish their mission? Watch and find out!

"Bruce Lee...." does have a few holes in its storyline and the kung fu gorilla scene might be a little on the cheesy side, but this is actually a very good kung fu movie. The vast bulk of the storyline is well-written and easy to figure out, the kung fu (which was choreographed by Nick Cheung) scenes are very good, and there is also a very interesting reenactment of the story of the Indian monk Da Mo, who discovered the Eighteen Lohan Fists and taught them to Shaolin monks in the 6th century AD.

For those of you who are curious, Bruce Li does a good job in his role with only a bare minimum of Bruce Lee mannerisms toward the end!

Also in this movie are cameos by Bolo Yeung as the master with long hair and Mars as the teacher wearing as mask.

If you're looking for some good kung fu escapism or are a fan of Bruce Li, look no further than this movie! It's sure to fit the bill for you!

Also known as: Nan yang tang ren jie (original Mandarin title-HK), Bruce Li the Invincible (original English title-HK), Bruce Lee the Invincible (English video title-HK), Bruce Li the Invincible Chinatown Connection (international English title), The Invincible (alternate HK English title), Wei zhen tian nan (Mandarin video title-HK), Die gelben Augen des Gorillas (West Germany), Sygrousi giganton tou karate (Greece), Game of the Dragon (unknown English title)

Two Great Cavaliers (1978, Taiwan/HK)

2011-07-09T07:25:00.000-04:00

Starring: Angela Mao, John Liu, Chen Sing. Directed by: Yeung Ching Chen

In the West, this movie is commonly known by three titles: "Two Great Cavaliers", "Blade of Fury", and "Deadly Duo", which is also the name of a Shaw Bros. movie.

No matter what name you may find this movie under, it's a kung fu movie that stars two of '70s kung fu cinema's greatest: Angela Mao and John Liu!

In this movie, Chen Sing plays Kuan Yu Chung, a fief in a Chinese province who has sworn his loyalty to the Manchu (Qing) Dynasty who are starting to establish their rule across China. Angela Mao plays Hsiao Mei, the leader of a group of anti-Qing rebels who are all members of the Fung Wan kung fu clan. The clan has been entrusted with the task of defeating Kuan and delivering a list of names of other anti-Qing rebels to the resistance leaders. Naturally, Kuan wants to crush the resistance in his province and he wants this list very badly.

In order to deliver the list and defeat Kuan and his men, the rebels are going to need the help of their best fighter Ou Yang Chun (Liu). Unfortunately for the rebels, Chun has met the woman of his dreams and decided to leave the Fung Wan clan, settle down, and make a quiet life for himself. If his brothers and sisters in Fung Wan want his help, they must get a little persuasive, especially where Chun's fiancee (who Hsiao Mei is extremely jealous of) is concerned......

The storyline of this movie can be a little confusing to understand as there are many characters who have their own swerving loyalties and motivations. However, we get to see Angela Mao and John Liu perform some of their greatest fighting scenes in "Two Great Cavaliers" and that alone is worth watching the movie in its entirety! Both perform some awesome legwork that makes Chuck Norris look like child's play throughout this movie! The end fight scene in particular is amazing and both are at their best in the final showdown.

Also in this movie are Leung Kar-Yan as brother-in-arms Sung Hua and Man Kong-Lung as the mysterious Pai Lung Hsing, who joins the rebels. Both have some very good fight scenes that are also worth watching. Chiang Kam also makes an appearance in this movie, but only as an extra baddie.

If you think you can keep track of all the characters and want to see some good Angela Mao and John Liu action, be sure to check this movie out! There's some awesome kung fu that's waiting for you to watch!

Also known as: Ci xiong shuang sha (original Mandarin title-Taiwan), Two Great Cavaliers (English title-HK), Blade of Fury (international English title), Deadly Duo (international English DVD title), The Two Great Cavaliers (international English title), Wang Yu - Härter als Granit (West Germany), Les 2 cavaliers de Shaolin (France)

The Ninja Avenger (1982, Taiwan)

2011-07-07T06:50:00.000-04:00

Starring: Elsa Yang Hui San, Yun Chang-yueh, Don Wong, Yasuaki Kurata, Yuka Mizuno. Directed by: Gam Ming (Tommy Lee)
This movie seems to be a forerunner to the femme fatale genre of movies that started with the 1989 French megahit "La Femme Nikita", and the storyline bears a striking resemblance to the storyline of the 2000 Wong Jing movie "Naked Killer".

In "The Ninja Avenger", Yang Hui San (a popular actress in Taiwan during the 1970s-80s who made appearances in many a kung fu/martial arts movie) plays Mo Ling, a Japanese woman who was saved from a gang of rapists in Tokyo by the female Triad boss Chao (Mizuno). Chao trains Mo in the ninjutsu arts and transforms her into a deadly assasin. Chao puts Mo Ling to use against her rivals with great effect.

But when Mo starts to fall for Chao's younger brother Wei Li, things get complicated. And when the police start tracking Mo down and Chao decides Mo is a major threat that needs to be eliminated, things get even more complicated.

Mo must elude Chao's hitmen and the police and do whatever she can to survive. As for Wei Li, he must do whatever he can to protect the woman he loves. But can they succeed against overwhelming odds and stay together?

"The Ninja Avenger" seems to have been filmed on a fairly low budget, but despite this it has some very good action scenes. We get to watch Mo Ling fly across the (presumably) Taipei skyline on a body kite and kill her target with a poisoned dart, scale up buildings, and more...just as you would expect from one of the "Nikita"-type movie or TV shows that have come out over the past 20+ years. Also, the fight scenes are very good and Yasuaki Kurata's fight scenes toward the end of the movie are good to watch as always, but it's too bad he didn't have more in this movie!

As is the case for many Asian movies up until recent times, the English-dubbed version muddles this movie a little. The characters are all given English names and much of the emotion is lost, particularly the romance between Mo Ling and Wei Li. If you can find an original Chinese version of this movie, consider yourself lucky!

"The Ninja Avenger" is a very good ninja/kung fu movie that was directed by Gam Ming (alias Tommy Lee), who is the action director for many kung fu classics such as "Shaolin Wooden Men", "Butcher Wing", and "Tiger vs. Dragon". It seems to be a bridge between the kung fu movies of the 1970s and the modern action movies that have come out in Hong Kong and Taiwan since the 1980s that incorporate martial arts into the storyline. If you're a fan of "Nikita"-style femme fatale movies or martial arts movies with a female lead, this movie is one you won't want to miss!

Also known as: Fei yan zou bi (original Mandarin title-Taiwan), Impossible Woman (original English title-Taiwan), The Ninja Avenger (English title-HK, international English title, poster title-Netherlands), Fly Sky Run Wall (literal English title), Ninja - Die Kampfmaschine (West Germany), Ninja Apocalypse (VHS title-USA). Also released in Hong Kong in 1983???

Rivals of the Silver Fox (1979, HK/South Korea)

2011-07-03T09:21:00.002-04:00

Starring: Casanova Wong, Phillip Ko, Chan Siu-Pang, Chin Chi Chu (as Gam Kei Chu). Directed by: Chan Siu-Pang

From the director of "Choy Lee Fat Kung Fu" Chan Siu-Pang (who also co-stars as the Invisible Thief) comes this Hong Kong-South Korean co-production.

In "Rivals...", a kung fu master is out to avenge the death of his wife at the hands of the evil kung fu master Ma Tien Chang, who wants some "secret medicinal documents" that were in the possession of her father. This master must raise his baby alone and take it with him as he searches for the evil master.

Unfortunately for our hero, taking on Ma is no easy task as he is holed up in the formidable Death Valley with an army of Shaolin bronzemen! Fortunately he has some help along the way in the form of the Invisible Thief (who he rescues from the thugs of a local lord he robbed), a woman (Wong) who helps him take care of his baby, another kung fu master who wants to take on Ma, and the priest Wu Kuo (Ko) who teaches him the kung fu skills he will need to take on the army of bronzemen.

This movie was obviously made on a shoestring budget and the storyline is just a little complicated, but it's much more complex and emotional than it seems. This can be an emotionally involving movie if you make the effort to understand our hero's motivations and all the pain he's feeling as he tries to avenge his wife, protect his baby, and ultimately, protect Casanova Wong's character, who he obviously has feelings for. Also, this is a very unusual movie where the storyline involves a baby and all the good guys, despite whatever motivations they may have, take care of and take up for each other. Of course the kung fu scenes are very good, but it's too bad Casanova didn't get as many fighting scenes in this movie!

Also, the Korean countryside used in this movie is gorgeous! It gives this movie a very tranquil atmosphere and blends into the storyline well.

This is a relatively unknown kung fu movie, but one worth checking out if you're into unusual storylines, or are a fan of Phillip Ko, Casanova Wong, or Chan Siu-Pang.

Also known as: 오대관문/Odae Gwan Mun (original Korean title), The Five Barriers (original English title-South Korea), 決戰銀狐/Jue zhan yin hu (original Mandarin title-HK), Mei hua tang lang (Taiwan)

A Fistful of Talons (1983, HK)

2011-06-28T23:39:00.000-04:00

Starring: Billy Chong, Whang Ing-Sik, Liu Hao-yi, Pai Ying. Directed by: Sun Chung

This movie is perhaps one of Billy Chong's most popular movies, and a very good early 1980s independent production from Shaw Bros. director Sun Chung.

"A Fist Full...." takes place in the early 20th century, just after the overthrow of the Qing Dynasty and the establishment of the Republic of China in 1912. A group of Qing loyalists are in a small Chinese town plotting to overthrow the Republic and restore the Qing to power.

Billy plays Ching I Ming, a young man who works at a tavern run by his uncle and spends his free time harassing the Qing loyalists and cutting their ponytails (a sign of loyalty to the Qing Dynasty) off. Pai Ying plays Ding Wei Chung, a mysterious stranger staying at the tavern who turns out to be a high-ranking Qing defector and one who is highly wanted by the Qings because he has in his possession a number of valuable documents and the Imperial seal, which is the symbol of authority.

After giving the Qings a good butt-kicking in his own town, I Ming gets a little restless and decides to go to a neighboring town, where he catches some more Qings and turns them in. He gets a job with the local constabulary...and is "encouraged" by the local constable to marry his daughter (Liu), who he claims can't get married because "she is too fierce."

Very soon I Ming and Ding cross paths again purely by accident, and trouble soon follows....both in terms of the Qing and the soon-to-be bride who is hunting for I Ming!

Can Ching I Ming and Ding Wei Chung get the documents and seal to Sun Yat-sen's government? Also, can they take on the head of the Qing loyalists Nai Sin (Whang), who is a very skilled kung fu master with a powerful kick?

All in all this is a good kung fu movie from the early '80s that has a very coherent storyline (that's even more understandable if you know a little about Chinese history), good directing, and very good production qualities. The actors and actresses in this movie do a very good job and Billy Chong's performance is sort of a combination of Jackie Chan and Alexander Fu Sheng rolled into one. His kung fu skills are amazing and they really show off in this movie. Pai Ying does a good job as Ding Wei Chung and Liu Hao-yi not only has her own fight scenes but is an eagle trainer in this movie. And of course, Whang Ing-Sik does a very good job as Nai Sin.

A word of warning to animal lovers though: You may not like the very last scene of this movie.

Don't miss this movie if you're a fan of Billy Chong or just want to see a good Jackie Chan-style kung fu movie!

Also known as: 風林火山/Foo ying (original Cantonese title-HK), Guo lu ke (original Mandarin title-HK; original script title), Feng lin huo shan (Taiwanese Mandarin title), Wind, Forest, Fire, Mountain (literal English title-Taiwan), A Fist Full of Talons (original English title-HK), A Fistful of Talons (English title-HK)

The Killer Meteors (1976, HK/Taiwan)

2011-06-25T08:50:00.000-04:00

Starring: Jimmy Wang Yu, Jackie Chan, Lan Liu-li. Directed by: Lo Wei

"The Killer Meteors" is a movie that has, in the various Western video and DVD releases, been marketed as a movie with Jackie Chan as the main star. This is not exactly true. Jimmy Wang Yu is actually the star of this movie and Jackie was given a secondary role since Wang Yu was one of the big martial arts movie stars in Hong Kong at the time and "Jacky" (as he was known at the time) was still struggling to get his career going.

In "The Killer Meteors", Wang Yu plays the Killer Meteor Mei Sin Her, who is a master of both kung fu and the Killer Meteor, which is a weapon well-known and feared all over China. Master Mei is so feared that men get down on their knees, cut their fingers off, and beg for mercy just so he will spare their lives!

Jackie (in a rare villainous role) plays the Immortal Meteor Wa Wu-bin who believes his wife has poisoned him. He needs the antidote which, unfortunately for him, is in the hands of his scheming wife. Getting the antidote from his wife is going to be no easy matter because she has four kung fu masters serving as her bodyguards and the Immortal Meteor is in no condition to take them on. Therefore, he must get a little help from the Killer Meteor......

This movie is the big-screen adaptation of a novel from famed wuxia novelist Ku Feng, who is also credited for writing the screenplay for the movie. As is the case for the novel, there are many plot twists and turns and get ready for those before watching this movie! In fact you'll want to pay very close attention, especially at the end.

Also in a supporting role in this movie are Phillip Ko as Go Yuen So and Sit Hon as the Lightning Swordsman Wan Fong.

All in all this is an excellent old school kung fu/wuxia movie....as long as you keep in mind that it's a Wang Yu movie and not (quite) one starring Jackie Chan. As a matter of fact, Jackie only has one fight scene in the whole movie! Apart from this, the cast pulls the movie off very well and Wang Yu is in his prime as the Killer Meteor, who can kill his opponents (and "friends") with no mercy and do a bit of womanizing afterwards! This is a must-see if you are a fan of Wang Yu or Jackie Chan!

Also known as:風雨雙流星/Feng yu shuang liu xing (original Mandarin title-HK), Fung yu seung lau sing (original Cantonese title-HK), Wind, Rain, Two Meteors (literal English title-HK), Jackie Chan Versus Wang Wu (VCD title-Thailand), Tiger der Todesarena (West Germany), Anikitos aetos tou karate/Oi ongolithoi tou kung fu (Greek VHS and DVD titles respectively), Meteoro inmortal (Spain), Karate Death Squad (bootleg title-US)

The Holy Robe of the Shaolin Temple (1985, HK/China)

2011-06-22T07:22:00.005-04:00

Starring: Yu Rongguang, Chui Heung-Wing, Lam Chau-Ping. Directed by: Tsui Siu-Ming

This is a movie that has been incorrectly released in the West as the sequel to the 1984 Gordon Liu blockbuster hit "Shaolin and Wu Tang". In actuality it has nothing at all to do with the latter movie, but it's a very good martial arts flick nonetheless.

In "The Holy Robe..." Qi Tian Yuan, an ex-Wu Tang monk (Yu), has been dispatched by the government to kill the abbot of Shaolin Temple and take over Shaolin, which he cannot do until he has the ultimate symbol of honor and authority: the Holy Robe of Shaolin.

When Qi and a brigade of Royal Guards storm Shaolin and try to kill the abbot, a group of monks escape with the wounded abbot and the precious robe. Naturally Qi and the soldiers set off in hot pursuit of the fugitive monks, who have fled into a nearby village and onto the steppes of Inner Mongolia.

Also hiding out in Inner Mongolia is a hidden ace up Shaolin's sleeve: a monk by the name of Hui Neng (Chui). When all of Shaolin's best monks have been slaughtered, the task of saving Shaolin and defeating Qi falls on his shoulders. Fortunately for Hui Neng, he has some help from a very talented female fighter named Miss Lin Ying (Lam). But the task at hand becomes a little more complicated when the two start falling in love with each other.....

Can Shaolin be saved and can the Holy Robe be kept off Qi Tian Yuan's shoulders? Can the traditional enemies of Shaolin and Wu Tang work together to defeat Qi and the government forces? And furthermore, can Hui Neng and Ms. Lin set their feelings for each other aside to accomplish the tasks at hand?

This is a very good Hong Kong/China co-production with some excellent, well-choreographed kung fu scenes and a well-written, dramatic storyline. This movie is also the first movie for Yu Rongguang, who would go on to play the villain in the 1993 box office smash hit "Iron Monkey" and in the 1995 Jet Li hit "My Father is a Hero" (aka "The Enforcer").

Also, if you are learning Mandarin Chinese, you might want to check this movie out because it's one mainland Chinese movie where the subtitles, while a little iffy English-wise, seem to have been translated almost verbatim from the original Chinese track. I personally noticed this while watching the movie and understood portions of the dialogue very well.

This movie is a must-see if you're a fan of Shaolin and/or Wu Tang movies or want to watch a good Jet Li-style movie. All in all it's highly recommended!

Also known as: Mu mien jia sha (original Mandarin title-China/HK), Shaolin and Wu Tang 2: Wu Tang Invasion (US video and DVD title), A Saolin templom szent köntöse (Hungary), Shaolin Vs. Wutang 2: Holy Robe of Shaolin Temple/Holy Robes of Shaolin (unknown English titles)

Five Superfighters (1983, HK)

2011-06-20T05:29:00.001-04:00

Starring: Kuang Hsiung, Hau Chiu-Sing, Austin Wai, Wong Mei-Mei. Directed by: Lo Mar

This is one of the lesser-known movies from Shaw Bros, and one that was filmed on a relatively low budget.

In "Five Superfighters", a wandering kung fu master (Kuang) with a huge ego comes to a Chinese town, goes to the local monkey kung fu school, and gives the sifu (Hau) and his students a pretty bad beating as a way to "correct their bad kung fu."

The sifu, feeling humiliated and worthless, quickly takes to the bottle. One night his students quietly leave him to learn better kung fu skills from other masters and promise to return after six months to defeat the wandering master.

One student goes to a poor crippled old man, the other a widow (Wong), and the third student a fisherman. All three are kung fu experts, but can they teach the young men the skills they will need to restore honor to their school and redeem themselves and their master?

This movie has some awesome, high-octane kung fu action throughout that will blow you away! The scenes with Wong Mei-Mei and Jamie Luk (the fisherman) are particularly amazing to watch and of course, the movie's main protagonist is every bit as good as he says.

If you can find a copy of this movie, this is a minor Shaw Bros. classic that you won't want to miss!

Also known as: Tong San ng foo (original Cantonese title-HK), Tang shan wu hu (original Mandarin title-HK), The Drunken Fighter/Superfighters (unknown English titles), Das Schlitzohr mit dem Dampfhammer (West Germany), Los cinco superluchadores (Spain), Bruce Lee lotta di titani/I maestri del kung-fu (Italy)

Killing Machine (1976, Japan)

2011-06-18T08:09:00.002-04:00

Starring: Sonny Chiba, Yutaka Nakajima, Makoto Sato, Etsuko "Sue" Shiomi. Directed by: Noribumi Suzuki

This is a very good martial arts flick, and a movie that is regarded as one of Sonny Chiba's best. It's also based on the real-life story of Doshin So, the originator of Shorinji Kenpo.

In "Killing Machine", Doshin So (Chiba), a Japanese army commando, has returned to Japan from China in 1946. He has returned to a nation that has been ravaged by war and is mired in deep poverty and hardship. He takes it upon himself to take care of some of the street orphans, as well as the many Japanese and Koreans living in dire poverty on the streets of Osaka.

When he is arrested by American soldiers after getting into a fight with the local racketeers (who, in turn, are profiting from the GIs), he is forced to flee the city and start his own martial arts school.

He starts his school in the countryside, opens his doors to anyone who wants to learn his Shorinji Kenpo style, and installs pride in his students so the Japanese people can become a strong, proud people once again. He brings in some of the homless people, the orphans, and the ex-soldiers who are now disillusioned and lost with nowhere to go and teaches them Shorinji Kenpo.

But will the local authorities stand by and let him teach under the nose of the American occupation authorities? Or the racketeers who want to make their own profit from his school? Most importantly of all, can he protect the helpless and needy people and help them stand on their own two feet again?

The martial arts in this movie is very brutal, but excellent. A word of warning though: There is one scene where Doshin So inflicts an excruciatingly painful punishment with a pair of scissors on a local thug/rapist. This scene will make most male viewers cringe!

While the Japanese patriotic sentiment may not rub off on or even settle too well with many Western viewers, this is an excellent karate/martial arts movie and one you'll want for your collection if you're a Sonny Chiba fan.

Also known as: Shôrinji kenpô (original title-Japan), Shaolin karaté (France)

The Prodigal Son (1981, HK)

2011-06-15T07:08:00.003-04:00

Starring: Yuen Biao, Lam Ching-ying, Sammo Hung, Frankie Chan. Directed by: Sammo Hung

This movie is one of Sammo Hung's most popular films, and one that scooped up the awards for Best Director, Picture, and Action Choreography at the 1983 Hong Kong Film Awards. It's also largely based on some real-life Chinese historical figures of the same names as the main characters of this movie.

"The Prodigal Son" is about a spoiled young man in the city of Fatshan (Foshan, located in central Guangdong province, China) named Leung Chan (Yuen). He thinks he is a kung fu master, but he is unaware that his powerful rich father is paying fighters to lose fights to him in order to keep him from being hurt.

One day the Lok Fung Lin opera troupe starring the beautiful Leung Yee-tai (Lam) arrives in town and Leung attends the performance. He sees Yee-tai perform and is immediately lovestruck. When he goes backstage to get to know her better, he finds out that Yee-tai is a man....and a true master of the Wing Chun style to boot. Yee-tai then proceeds to beat up Chan and all his friends, and only when Chan's servant tries to bribe Yee-tai into losing the fight that Chan learn the harsh truth about his so-called martial arts skills.

Chan then begs Yee-tai to teach him kung fu, but he refuses. The opera troupe packs up and moves on to their next performance in Canton (Guangzhou), but Chan is determined to learn kung fu no matter what the cost. He manages to convince his dad to buy out Lok Fung Lin and make himself Yee-tai's personal assistant!

When a local lord named Ngai Fai (Chan) finds out about Yee-tai's martial arts skills, he challenges him to a fight, and doesn't give Yee-tai a chance to say no. However, he doesn't know that Lord Ngai Fai is the "prodigal son" of a powerful Manchu lord and one who is determined to protect him from any threat, including Yee-tai.

What happens next is something you'll have to watch and find out!

Sammo Hung plays Yee-tai's Wing Chun brother and "scholar" Wong Wah-bo who tries to learn a little something everyday, including calligraphy and the art of using kung fu to relieve constipation!

This movie is a true Hong Kong classic and the stars of the movie have some very memorable performances! Of course, the fight scenes will blow you away and the usage of the Wing Chun style in this movie is breathtaking.This truly is one of Sammo Hung's best movies and one that you won't want to miss!

Also known as: 敗家仔/Bai ga jai (Original Cantonese title-HK), Bai jia zi (original Mandarin title-HK), Son Ruining the Family (literal title-HK), Pull No Punches (unknown English title), El hijo prodigo (Spain)

Dragon on Fire (1981, HK)

2011-06-13T05:30:00.003-04:00

Starring: John Liu, Philip Ko, Tino Wong, Dragon Lee, Bolo Yeung, Chan Lau. Directed by: Godfrey Ho

This is another one of Godfrey Ho's better movies, and one with a top-notch cast that pull off a fine job in this movie!

In "Dragon on Fire", a group of foreigners is seeking to buy rare Chinese antiquities from the rabid strongman (Chan) of a Chinese village. Two local men (Wong, Lee) object to the sale and decide to stop the sale of these priceless national treasures whatever the cost and bring down the strongman's business empire. These two men are also the only two fighters of the Stone Rock Fist style left in China and they must use their skills for the benefit of the nation.

However, this strongman isn't going to give up his empire without a fight and hires two powerful fighters (Ko, Liu) to defend his interests.

The fight scenes in this movie are just plain amazing. John Liu is at his best in this movie and it's jaw-dropping to watch him take down several men with one kick plus use his special fist and palm styles. Next to John would be Philip Ko in terms of awesomeness in this movie. He carries an hourglass with him in this movie and before the fight scenes begin, he says "When the sand stops running in this hourglass, you're dead!" He doesn't tell a word of a lie either because can give his opponents a good beating with his fancy kicks and Snake and Crane moves! Then there's Tino Wong and Dragon Lee. In terms of acting and fighting, both of them do a good job in this movie. Dragon Lee, who is in a relatively minor supporting role in this movie, pulls out his usual Bruce Lee mannerisms. Surprisingly enough, these work very well in this movie. Chiang Kam also has a good supporting role as the dishwasher who helps Dragon Lee and Tino Wong in their efforts to bring down the strongman.

This is also a very noteable movie for Chan Lau, who plays one of the most memorable characters you'll ever see in a kung fu movie! As the crazed strongman suffering from a bad case of rabies, you'll most certainly remember him panting like a dog, chasing his opponents down, and biting them long after this movie is over!

Bolo Yeung has a very good cameo at the beginning of this movie as the strongman's fighter "Muscleman". The strongman holds a contest where the local fighters can win 50 taels of silver if they can defeat Muscleman, and our heroes take him on. Also in this contest is a very brief cameo by Bruce Lee's good friend and fellow kung fu star Mars, who plays a defeated contestant.

This is an excellent kung fu movie and one worth checking out for some top-notch actors and good old-fashioned chop socky fun!

Also known as: Guai quan guai zhao (original Mandarin title-HK, Taiwan?) The Dragon, the Hero (original English title-HK), Dragon, the Hero (international English title), Bruce Lee - Die Todesklaue des Tigers/Todesgrüße von Bruce Lee (West Germany), Dragon and the Hero (unknown English title), Dragón de fuego (VHS title-Spain). Released in the USA in 1982 and originally released in Taiwan in 1979?

Ten Tigers of Canton: The True Story

2011-06-11T07:50:00.003-04:00

We've all seen the Ten Tigers of Canton in movies such as "Ten Tigers From Kwangtung", "Magnificent Butcher", "Drunken Master", and so on, but who were the real Ten Tigers?

Recently I've gotten interested in the true story of the Ten Tigers of Canton (or Kwangtung or Guangdong if you may) and have done some reading-up about their history and who some of the others besides Beggar So and Wong Kei-ying were. It makes for interesting reading! If you're interested in reading more about them yourself, here's some reading material below:

Wikipedia entry on the Ten Tigers of Canton
Ten Tigers of Canton - Who are they and what did they do? A discussion thread at Kung Fu Magazine.
Ten Tigers of Canton
Ten Tigers of Guangdong (Canton) - Discussion at the Shaolin Wahnam Institute discussion board

It's been said that the real-life Wong Fei-hung was one of the Ten Tigers, but that's not the case. Wong Fei-hung's father Kei-ying was one of the ten, but Wong Fei-hung himself is called the "Tiger after the Ten Tigers" for that very reason.

Anyway, I thought I'd share these links with you and hope you enjoy!

Drunken Master (1978, HK)

2011-06-11T07:43:00.003-04:00

Starring: Jackie Chan, Simon Yuen, Hwang Jang Lee. Directed by: Yuen Woo-Ping

This is without a doubt one of the most successful kung fu movies of all time and the movie that cemented Jackie Chan's reputation as the "king of kung fu comedy." It's also the first of several Drunken Master movies that Yuen Woo-Ping would direct and the movie that brought the Drunken Fist style of kung fu into the international spotlight.

In "Drunken Master", Jackie plays a young Wong Fei-hung who has mastered his dad Wong Kei-ying's kung fu techniques, but is getting into quite a bit of trouble both in his kung fu school and in town with some of the other local kids.

When Fei-hung tries to make time with a new girl in town (who turns out to be his own cousin) and beats up the son of a local bigshot, Kei-ying sends Fei-hung away to his uncle Beggar So (Yuen) for a year to learn his own style of kung fu....and undergo the rigorous training that Beggar So is notorious for.

Fei-hung gives Beggar So quite a bit of trouble, but he gradually accepts his lot and learns...and becomes a master of the Drunken Fist techniques.

When the kung fu master known as Thunderlegs (Hwang) comes to town, Wong Fei-hung must put all his training to the test. But is he ready for the challenge?

Apart from the three main characters, the supporting cast also did a very good job in this movie. Lam Kau played Wong Kei-ying very well and Dean Shek did a great job as Professor Kai-hsien. Lee Chun Wah did a fine Bolo Yeung-style performance as the waiter known as "Gorilla" and his beating heart was a nice touch! Also in this movie is a cameo by Yuen Woo-ping himself and supposedly cameos by Casanova Wong and Shih Kien, but I haven't been able to find out who they played or where they appear in the movie.

This movie is a classic kung fu comedy you can't miss and if you haven't seen it, find it and watch it now! It's definitely one of Jackie Chan's greatest early movies!

Also known as: 醉拳/Jui kuen (original Cantonese title-HK), Zui quan (original Mandarin title-HK), Drunken Fist (literal English title), Challenge (India), Drunk Monkey (Japan), Drunk Monkey in the Tiger's Eyes (alt. English title-HK), Cakar monyet dalam pandangam harimau (Malay title-Malaysia), The Drunken Master (English title-Philippines), Ein Halleluja für 2 Schlitzohren/Jackie Chan - Der Superbomber mit der schnellen Faust/Sie nannten ihn Knochenbrecher (West German titles), Pijany mistrz (Poland), Le maître chinois (France), El mono borracho en el ojo del tigre (Spain), Eagle Claw, Snake Fist, Cat's Paw, Part 2 (unknown English title), and others.

The Bloody Fists (1972, HK)

2011-06-09T05:43:00.002-04:00

Starring: Chen Sing, Chen Kuan Tai. Directed by: Ng See-Yuen

This is a very good old-school kung fu movie and one that features the Yuen brothers (Yuen Woo-Ping, Yuen Cheung-Yan) as action directors.

In "The Bloody Fists", a group of Japanese karate experts led by the long-haired, masked fighter Okagawa Takeo (Chen Kuan Tai) has been dispatched by the Emperor before or during (presumably) World War II to secure the world's only supply of the Dragon Herb, which is a powerful drug that can cure many ailments. The only place in the world where this herb grows is in a village in China and the Japanese must take it over and terrorize the villagers into submission.

Chen Sing plays Jang Wu-dip, an infamous outlaw and kung fu expert who is on the run and happens to hide out in this village after nearly wiping out a whole police squad single-handedly. After the local kung fu fighters have all been defeated or killed, it's up to Jang to take on the Japanese and keep the Dragon Herb out of their hands. But can he accomplish the task?

Also in this film is Henry Yu Yung, who does a very good job as Yu Yang, one of the village's Dragon Herb farmers/kung fu fighter, and Suen Lam as the Chinese Quisling Chen San who assists the Japanese in their mission. He is a truly despicable, nasty character who willingly hands over his own family and fellow villagers to the Japanese and even laughs as his own sister is brutalized by one of the Japanese thugs! Hon Kwok-Choi, who also appeared with Chen Sing in "Kung Fu: The Invicible Fist" the same year, does a great job as Ya Ba the mute villager, and Yuen Woo-Ping and his other brother Yuen Shun-Yi both have cameos. Woo-ping plays Chen San's brother who is handed over by Chen San and Shun-yi is an extra in this movie.

The only big flaw in this movie was the soundtrack. The original version uses "Nadia's Theme" (also the theme of the US soap opera "Young and the Restless") throughout the movie, as well as a few seconds of the Black Sabbath song "The Wizard". However, in the 2006 Warner Bros. DVD release, the whole soundtrack had to be replaced due to US copyright laws and the soundtrack used was a cheezy synth and breakbeat score that sounds much like the ones used by Dimension in their HK movie releases of some 10 years ago. There are many who will no doubt find either score to be distracting. Also, why did all the Japanese wear flannel pants in this movie???

All in all this is a great film from Ng See Yuen that is a must-see if you are a fan of old-school kung fu!

Also known as: Dang kou tan (original Mandarin title-HK), Dong kau taan (original Cantonese title-HK), Deadly Buddhist Raiders (original US title), Durs combats de karaté (France), Zakato - Die Faust des Todes (West Germany), The Bloody Fist (unknown English title #1), Death Beach (unknown English title #2)

Hong Kong (& Macau) Film Stuff: Fist of Fury - Bruce Lee (1971) - Jardin Luis De C...

2011-06-07T12:08:00.004-04:00

In the movie "Fist of Fury", the famous "No Dogs and Chinese Allowed" scene at "Huangpu Park" in Shanghai was actually filmed in Macau at a place called Jardin Luis De Camoes in Santo Antonio. For those of you who want to see what that film location looks like now, be sure to check out the blog post below from Hong Kong (& Macau) Film Stuff:

Hong Kong (& Macau) Film Stuff: Fist of Fury - Bruce Lee (1971) - Jardin Luis De C...: "Fist of Fury was one of the very first films shot at Golden Harvest's newly acquired studios in Diamond Hill. The premises were previously o..."

Fist of Fury (1972, HK)

2011-06-07T11:27:00.008-04:00

Starring: Bruce Lee, Nora Miao, James Tien. Directed by: Lo Wei

This is Bruce Lee's most famous film and one that's based on the true story of Huo Yuanjia (Fok Yuen Gap in Cantonese). Furthermore, "Fist of Fury" is an enduring cinema classic that is widely regarded to be the movie that made the kung fu genre famous worldwide. The image of Bruce Lee with blood smeared on his face from this movie is one of cinema's most recognizable images and some of the scenes from this movie are some of the most famous in martial arts cinema history.

In "Fist of Fury", Bruce Lee plays Huo's fictional student Chen Zhen, who has come back to the Chingwu School in Shanghai to marry his fiancee Yuan Le-erh (Miao, in an equally powerful and memorable performance). He returns only to find his beloved sifu dead from poisoning. Rage and grief consume Chen day by day. Le-erh stands by her man and is there for him as much as she possibly can be, but he drifts further and further away.

When some Japanese karate students from the Bushido School start taunting the Chingwu students and bring a sign saying "Sick Men of Asia" to the school, Chen unleashes his anger. He returns the sign to the Bushido School and defeats the entire school single-handedly. Chen then proceeds to take a walk through Huangpu Park in Shanghai, where he smashes a sign saying "No Dogs or Chinese Allowed In" (a scene which famously caused the crowds to cheer at the movie's premiere in Hong Kong) and beats up a Japanese man who refuses him entry.

Unable to accept their humiliating defeats at the hands of Chen, the Japanese decide to take their revenge on the Chingwu school. They trash the school, beat up the students, and demand that the school hand Chen over or else they'll have the authorities close the school and arrest the students.

Reluctant to hand over their beloved brother Chen, he lays low and hides from the Japanese. However, after hearing a conversation between the Chingwu cook and caretaker about what really happened to Sifu Huo, Chen sets out to avenge his master, kill all those responsible. In addition, he must defend Chingwu and uphold the honor of the Chinese people.

Also appearing in "Fist of Fury" are a number of future Hong Kong stars, including Jackie Chan (as the Japanese master Hiroshi Suzuki when being kicked through some paper windows by Chen), Yuen Biao, Corey Yuen, Hon Kwok Choi, Yuen Wah (as Bruce Lee's double during the fight scene between Chen and Yoshida), Mars, Unicorn Chan, and Lam Ching Ying.

There's no doubt that this is a very dark movie, but it's one of the most famous kung fu movies of all time and Bruce Lee's most powerful perfomance in his very short career. This is an excellent movie and if you should only see one kung fu movie in your lifetime, this is the one.

Also known as: 精武門/Jing wu men (original Mandarin title-HK), 精武门 (Simplified Chinese characters), Jing mo mun (original Cantonese title-HK), The Chinese Connection (dubbed English version-USA), The Iron Hand (English title-Japan), School for Chivalry (literal English and Mandarin title-HK/China/Taiwan), Todesgrüße aus Shanghai (West Germany), Bruce Lee - Todesgrüße aus Shanghai (West German edited version), Bruce Lee - Die Faust des Rächers (German TV title), Öldüren karatecinin intikami (Turkey), Dalla Cina con furore (Italy), Tekken (Japan), and others.

Choy Lee Fat Kung Fu (1979, HK, Taiwan?)

2011-06-05T07:46:00.008-04:00

Starring: Cliff Lok, Yeung Pan Pan, Phillip Ko, Chan Siu-Pang, Lam Kau, Chiang Kam. Directed by: Chan Siu-Pang

This is an excellent Jackie Chan/Sammo Hung-style feature that's been extremely hard to find until the past decade or so, when at least two companies released it on DVD. This movie stars Cliff Lok and was made when Jackie Chan's popularity was beginning to soar worldwide. As such it seems to draw a lot of inspiration from his movies. However, it is a very unique movie in its own right.

In CLF, Cliff Lok plays Ah Sing, a drifting young man wanting to learn kung fu who wanders into a village. He has some of the locals perform a black magic spell on him in front of the local kung fu school so he can "have his body possessed by the spirit of a kung fu master". The sifu at this school, Sifu Chan (Lam) brings him out of his trance and wants to teach him kung fu, but cannot due to local village laws prohibiting him from teaching kung fu to those from outside the village.

However, he hires Ah Sing to work at the school and, naturally, he watches and learns. Eventually Sifu Chan agrees to teach him in secret until the local village elders find out and force him to stop and make Ah Sing leave.

Fortunately for Ah Sing, Sifu Chan puts him in touch with Monk Grass (Chan, who also directed this movie), who continues to teach him kung fu and helps him become an expert in the Choy Lay Fut techniques. However, Monk Grass must leave due to "problems" with the Ching authorities and he sends Ah Sing down to Guangdong Province to get in touch with some anti-Ching fighters.

Unfortunately for Ah Sing, the Ching authorities have a problem with those who know just as much, if not more, kung fu than they do. And sooner or later, Ah Sing runs afoul of the Ching authorities and their fighters as well, and must put his kung fu skills to the ultimate test.

Cliff Lok's training scenes in this movie are amazing to watch, and can wear you out by just watching them! Of course, the fighting scenes are excellent and it's fascinating to watch the different Choy Lay Fut techniques (which are named in Chinese on the side of the screen) being used in this movie. The acting in this movie is very good, and Cliff and Chiang Kam do excellent jobs as two Jackie Chan and Sammo Hung-style characters. The bad guy, played by Phillip Ko in this movie, is the typical white-haired evil kung fu master, but Phillip plays the part well. It's also worth mentioning that many of the supporting actors were in fact from the real-life Choy Lay Fut Student's Association in either Hong Kong or Taiwan, but it's not clear from the credits which country.

Also of interest in this movie is the Chinese dragon dance scene, which is very interesting to watch!

This is a good old-school kung fu movie to watch, especially if you're a fan of Cliff Lok or are interested in the Choy Lay Fut style of kung fu.

Also known as: 無刀快斬/Xiong sheng Cai Li Fo (original Mandarin title-HK and Taiwan)

Face Behind the Mask (1974, Taiwan)

2011-06-03T05:50:00.004-04:00

Starring: Lo Lieh, Yueh Hua, Hsu Feng. Directed by: Chen Chi-hua

Until it was released in 2006 or so by Rarescope, this wuxia movie was a movie that was extremely hard to find and seemed to be forgotten. Now that it's available on the market again, we can enjoy this awesome wuxia movie/costume epic, which was directed by Chen Chi-hua (who directed several of Jackie Chan's early movies).

In this movie, a famous martial artist and swordsman named Chi Tien-Wei has been elected "Chief of the Martial World" after the other challengers were eliminated by some of his fighters.

However, a group of martial artists and wizards are not happy with the outcome of the elections. So much so that they try to kill Chi Tien-Wei by sending various fighters and wizards after him and setting some very interesting booby traps both in his household and at various ambush sites.

The most lethal of the whole group is known as the "Mystical Fighter" who wears a mask and is skilled in both kung fu and the art of poison and he uses both skills to his advantage. Also, there is a deadly traitor in the Chi household who is helping Szu Tu-Ming and the Mystical Fighter. The identity of this traitor is something Tien-Wei must find out before it's too late.

According to the Rarescope DVD cover and some Internet forums, the face behind the mask is widely speculated to be none other than Jackie Chan in an early cameo role! While the role has never officially been listed as a Jackie cameo, the moves of the Mystical Fighter are pure Jackie. Also, at the time this movie came out, Jackie was doing a lot of stunt work and making minor movie appearances and he and Chen Chi-hua were friends in the mid-1970s when his career was just starting. So it's quite possible that this is indeed an early Jackie Chan cameo!

The English subtitles are horrible and can make the storyline confusing, but all in all this is a very good wuxia movie with fast-paced swordplay and kung fu as well as lavish, high-quality production. In fact, some of the sets they used in this movie were beautiful and gave a unique backdrop to some of the fight scenes! If you're looking for a good wuxia flick, be sure to check this one out!

Also known as: Long she xia ying (original Mandarin title-Taiwan)

Kung Fu Zombie (1982, HK)

2011-06-01T06:54:00.003-04:00

Starring: Billy Chong, Chan Lau, Kwan Young Moon, Cheng Kang-Yeh, Wang Yu. Directed by: Hua Yi-Jung

"Kung Fu Zombie" is one of the most noteworthy flicks to come out of the "supernatural kung fu" craze of the 1980s/early 1990s in Hong Kong. While it lacks the big budget of Sammo Hung's classic "Encounter of the Spooky Kind" or Ricky Lau's "Mr. Vampire", it more than makes up for it in the relentless humor that will have you rolling on the floor laughing throughout all the movie and of course, through the awesome kung fu scenes.

In "Kung Fu Zombie", Billy Chong plays Pang, a young man who has foiled the attempts of a local criminal's attempts at a robbery. This criminal attempts to get his payback on Pang by hiring a priest to raise a group of zombies to kill him after challenging him to a fight at a local cemetery. However, the plan goes horribly wrong and the criminal is killed instead!

The criminal's ghost tries desperately to find a new body and come back to life...and wreaks havoc with the bumbling priest while looking!

Meanwhile, Pang has problems with his own starting with his dad. When a family with a vendetta comes to town looking for dear old Dad, Pang's problems only get worse.

"Kung Fu Zombie" is a hilarious "geung si movie" (meaning "stiff corpse movie", or a zombie movie in Cantonese) that only gets better every time you watch it. If you're lucky enough to find a copy, watch it ASAP!

Also known as: Woo lung tin see chiu chik gwai (original Cantonese title-HK), Wu long tian shi zhao ji gui (original Mandarin title-HK), Wu long tian shi zgui da gui (Mandarin poster title-HK)

Breakout From Oppression (1973, HK)

2011-05-31T09:57:00.003-04:00

Starring: Liu Chia Hui (Gordon Liu),Paul Chun, Dean Shek, Fung Hak-On, Li Lin-Lin. Directed by: Liu Chia Hui (Gordon Liu), Liu Chia-Liang, Yang Fan

This is one of Gordon Liu's earliest movies, and one that was directed by Gordon, his brother Liu Chia-Liang, and Yang Fan.

In "Breakout...", Gordon plays Tsao Chan, a postman who, at the beginning of the movie, is captured by several (presumably) Japanese policemen and is rounded up with some other people for execution. Without blinking an eye he kills all 3-4 of these policemen and escapes with all the other captives.

He then makes his way to East Village, where he has to break the bad news to the villagers that their mail is lost due to his capture. He makes his way to a local house where a murder of several family members has just taken place and the "killers" are fleeing the scene.

Tsao Chan takes the task of tracking these killers down and bringing them to justice all by himself. He traces them to a neighboring village, where they are working for a local packing/shipping company that's managed by a heavy-handed boss and his son. During their spare time the workers all practice kung fu and are very efficient fighters. Tsao must infiltrate the company by becoming the boss's top enforcer while gradually exposing the killers and waiting for the right moment to enforce justice on them. However, are they the true killers? Furthermore, is Tsao Chan's kung fu a match for the workers at this factory?

This movie was obviously shot on an extremely low budget and suffers from some horrible film quality in places, as well as a storyline that can be confusing at times. Also, did the Liu brothers have permission to use the themes from "The Big Boss" and Sergio Leone's "Man With No Name" trilogy in this movie??

Despite these flaws, "Breakout From Oppression" is a notch above most other low-budget kung fu movies from the '70s. The storyline seems to be inspired by, but does not directly use the "Yojimbo" storyline. The fight scenes are excellent, particularly the scene where Gordon Liu covers himself in oil and proceeds to whip the factory's fighters. Also, there are some creative uses of dynamite in two of the movie's big fight scenes! This movie also has the main characters thinking aloud to themselves at times, a couple of creative camera angles, and flashbacks with red camera filters used to enhance the flashback. These are somewhat unusual for martial arts movies of that time.

If you're a fan of Gordon Liu or want to see some of his early stuff, be sure to check this movie out! Also, if you just want to see a good old kung fu movie or one that runs under 80 minutes, you might want to give this one a watch!

Also known as: 最佳搏殺/Sha chu chong wei (Original Mandarin title-HK)

New Feed Address

2011-05-29T11:32:00.002-04:00

Since there have been some issues with the feed address for this blog (an overly long name and some inadvertent issues with spam filters among them), I'm changing the feed address. You can now subscribe to the RSS/Atom feed for this site at:

http://feeds.feedburner.com/oldkfmovies

Be sure to update your bookmarks or news readers!

The Lost Swordship (1977, Taiwan)

2011-05-29T09:32:00.003-04:00

Starring: Tien Peng (Roc Tien), Tang Bao-yun, Bai Ying, Wang Ping. Directed by: Chia Li

"The Lost Swordship" is the movie version of a novel by famous wuxia novelist Ku Lung and was adapted for the big screen by Shaw Bros. screenwriter Kuang Ni and director Chia Li.

In this movie, a mysterious martial arts clan known as Tien Cheng Chiao is headed by an even more mysterious masked figure known simply as The Bishop. The organization has some of the best fighters in the land among its ranks and is out for full-fledged supremacy. Roc Tien plays Lu Nan-jen, a swordfighter who opposes Tien Cheng Chiao. His wife Hsueh Jo-pi (Tang) is kidnapped by Tien Cheng Chiao and his best friend and fellow swordfighter Ling Pei-hsiu (Bai) defects to them.

In the midst of fighting with some of their fighters, Nan-jen is badly wounded by one of the fighter's Iron Palm technique.

In order to defeat The Bishop. Nan-jen will have to go to a secret location known only by his family, heal up from his Iron Palm injuries, spend five years learning his family's famous Fragrant Sword technique, and become master of the Fragrant Sword. However, The Bishop is also interested in learning the Fragrant Sword technique.....

Can Lu Nan-jen defeat The Bishop and rescue his beloved Jo-pi?

Also in this movie is a mysterious female fighter known as Lady Hsiao aka the Flaming Beauty who is also opposed to Tien Cheng Chiao. She gives Nan-jen some much-needed assistance in bringing down the organization. However, she is also in love with Nan-jen and makes it clear she wants to be the object of his affections and not Jo-pi.

This is a very good swordplay movie, except for a few flaws. The subtitles are horrible and make the storyline a little confusing. In addition, there are a few small gaps in the storyline, particularly when Nan-jen is shown teaching at a school after his Iron Palm injury. Is it safe to assume that he disguised himself as a village schoolteacher? Also, the romantic drama in the movie might be annoying for some, but at least Lady Hsiao more than makes up for it by becoming a kick-butt heroine in the movie!

If you're a fan of swordplay movies, wuxia, or costume epics, you'll probably like this movie. So much so you might want to watch it one or two more times!

Also known as: Yu jian piao xiang (original Mandarin title-Taiwan), Lost Samurai Sword (international English VHS title), The Lost Swordship (subtitled English version-HK)

Kung Fu: The Invincible Fist (1972, HK)

2011-05-27T06:01:00.002-04:00

Starring: Chen Sing, Yasuaki Kurata, Irene Ryder, Wong Yuen-San (as Huang Yuan-sheng), Hon Kwok-Choi. Directed by: Ng See-Yuen

"In Japan, they call me the 'Hungry Tiger'. Oh really? Is that so? Well in China, they call me the 'Crazy Dragon'." With a quote like that, you know the movie has to be good! This one is a martial arts classic.

"Kung Fu: The Invincible Fist" stars early kung fu star Chen Sing in one of his best and most memorable movies as Chinese soldier/policeman Cpt. Li Chang, who is sent to Shanghai to infiltrate a smuggling ring in the days prior to Japan's invasion of China in 1933. Accompaning him is his lieutenant Su Tung (Wong). Yasuaki Kurata plays Cpt. Jai Tai, a Japanese military officer who is sent as Japan's liaison to the "shipping company" to help smuggle the cargo (which includes drugs and women). Unofficially he is in China to rendezvous with some spies to pass on secret information about Chinese military installations to Tokyo. Information that will be extremely vital to Japan's imminent invasion of China.

Unfortunately for Jai Tai, a shoeshine man/pickpocket (Hon) just happens to steal the wallet of one of the spies containing one of the maps of the Chinese military installations. He passes this info on to Li Chang and Su Tung. Can they stop the two Japanese agents before they return to Japan with the vital information? Furthermore, can they stop the smuggling syndicate?

This movie is worth watching for the final fight scene alone, which is an electrifying half-hour duel between Chen Sing and Yasuaki Kurata, or the Japanese Tiger vs. the Chinese Dragon. This fight scene is just plain amazing!

There are also some recognizable faces from other old-school kung fu movies in "Kung Fu...", including Chan Wai-Man as one of the syndicate boss's subordinates. Chiang Nan played the boss himself, and Bruce Leung played a soldier who is defeated by Li in a demonstration fight at the beginning of the movie. Irene Ryder, who was a pop star in Hong Kong at the time this movie was made, played a Russian orphan who is trying to dodge the syndicate and falls for Su Tung. Hon Kwok-Choi (the shoeshine man) went on to play in a few more kung fu movies besides this one, including "Master With Cracked Fingers" starring Jackie Chan.

The only low points of this movie are the film and sound quality, which seem to have greatly deteriorated over time.

In the duel between the Tiger and the Dragon, kung fu vs. karate, and China vs. Japan, who will win? Watch and find out!

Also known as: E hu kuang long (original Mandarin title-HK), Ngo fu wong lung (original Cantonese title-HK), Tiger vs. Dragon (original English title-HK), The Good and the Bad (alternate HK English title), Kung Fu: The Invisible Fist (unknown English title), Dragon and Tiger Ways (Phillippines English title), Der Schlaghammer aus Shanghai (West Germany)

Supernatural Kung Fu Movie Articles

2011-05-25T20:10:00.005-04:00

Three weeks ago, an excellent article was written by Jacob Walker for the Den of Geek website and a week ago, a follow-up article was written by Ryan Lambie for the same website about the movie that sparked the whole genre in the '80s: "Encounter of the Spooky Kind".

Both of these articles make for some very interesting reading and I thought I'd share those with you for your reading pleasure:

Celebrating the world of supernatural kung fu
Looking back at Encounters Of The Spooky Kind

Enjoy!

The Water Margin (1972, HK)

2011-05-25T12:39:00.003-04:00

Starring: David Chiang, Tamba Tetsuro, Ti Lung, Chen Kuan Tai, Toshio Kurosawa. Directed by: Chang Cheh

"The Water Margin" is another big hit from Shaw Bros. in the early days of the kung fu movie craze, as well as a fine entry in the wuxia genre. Largely based on the classical Chinese novel of the same name by Shi Naian, the movie has become a wuxia classic and its official release on DVD in the US by Image Entertainment in 2006 was much anticipated.

In "The Water Margin", a group of 108 men and women living during the Song Dynasty in 11th century China banded together and became a group of anti-government bandits.

When Master Lu (Tetsuro) is falsely imprisoned on charges arranged by a government official having an affair with his wife, the 108 bandits set out to free him and avenge the injustice. They free him from the government prison and are pursued by Song forces, led by Master Lu's former classmate Golden Spear (Toshio).

The action is non-stop and relentless as the bandits fight the government forces pursuing them, and there are a wide variety of weapons and plenty of fight scenes. Also, 40 minutes or so that were cut from the US version of this movie were restored in the American DVD issue and this contributes much more to the viewing of this movie!

If you're a wuxia fan or just want to see something a little different from the usual kung fu movie, you might want to check this out!

Also known as: Shui hu zhuan (original Mandarin title-HK), Sui woo juen (original Cantonese title-HK), Seven Blows of the Dragon (USA title), Die sieben Schläge des gelben Drachen (West Germany), Piedi d'acciaio (Italy), Los siete impactos del dragón (Argentina), Water Margin (English subtitled version-HK), Waterside Story (unknown English title)