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jddog130
Reviews
Mang nu jin jian (1970)
Golden Sword and the Blind Swordswoman 1970
I have this film "Golden Sword and the Blind Swordswoman" distributed by JIA's Motion Picture (H.K.) Co. and have also seen this titled "Zatoichi the blind swordsman" distributed by Ocean Shores. Starring Lee Shu, Shen Yi and Kong Ban, with Yee Yuen, Han Chiang, Ho Yu-Hua, Ho Fan and O Yau-Man.
The Blind Swordswoman (Lee Shu) is out for revenge against the man (the evil mr.Lee) that killed her father and blinded her. She has a best friend (that call each other sister) that's also blind, and happens to be mr. Lee's daughter, which also seeks revenge because he killed her mother, but is reluctant to do so, being it is her father. It seems that everyone in this film is after mr. Lee (the evil bastard has killed everybodys family).
Anyway... The blind swordswoman was saved and trained by a teacher and the blind daughter was taught by her mother (wait... I thought she was dead) which turns out to be the same woman teacher for swordswoman. I guess that this woman isn't dead, or is she? maybe a ghost? Oh... and a wandering swordsman (Kong Ban) that's been spying on the blind girls, helps them out of some trouble and we find out that he's a cousin. Later we find a long lost brother, another blind girl (or maybe not) and a bunch of characters that pop in.
This movie can be confusing, yet makes perfect sense. Has some decent fight scenes, yet some slow staged ones. It makes you say "that was stupid", yet keeps you intrigued enough to keep watching. A 50/50 for me. I've seen better and I've seen worse.
Maengsu (1969)
Men Zoo (1969)
This Korean films original Chinese (English) title is "Men Zoo" aka "Hurricane Sword" aka "Master of the Sword". The video I have is a Venom Mob Films presents Old Skool Killaz video titled Master of the Sword". Funny thing, I ordered Hurricane Sword thinking I was getting the 1972 film aka Treasure Castle aka Devil Spider but ended up with this instead.
I was a bit confused when this movie started. The opening credits said " Starring Chen Saukei and Li Tai Shing and directed by William Sun. OK... I'm confused... even after looking up these unfamiliar names and come up with nothing. If someone could explain I would love to listen.
Starring Sa Mi-Ja and Lee Dae-Yeob and directed by Lim Won-Sik , the movie starts out with an old man running and a bunch of thugs chasing him. This is when we meet the blind orphan Elaine (Sa Mi-Ja), who woops some ass on the thugs. Basically this story is about Elaine's journey when she learns that her mother (that abandoned her when she was very young) may still be alive, and to revenge the murder of her uncle (or caretaker).
On her quest, Elaine meets a new master (Lee Dae-Yeob) who trains her (she was already pretty good) to become a skilled swords-woman. She later finds herself up against a Madam (with a spinning bladed ball on a chain) and a brutal crime lord.
The story is pretty good but the fight choreography isn't the greatest. I found it to be fairly entertaining and those that are classic fu fans should like it, I mean, it is from '69.
Daetalchul (1975)
Close Kung Fu Encounter (aka Great Escape) 1975
Starring Ko Keung, Whang In-Shik, Jang Jeong-Kuk, Gam Kei-Chu, Lee Ye-Min and Bruce Cheung Mong.
The story starts out with two men traveling with horse and settle down for the night next to a fire they built. One stays up (on watch) as the other rests. After time, they switch positions and while the other rests, the one on watch attacks and tries to kill him, but fails. The next day the one sneaks into town, past the guards, posing as a woman carrying her husbands body for cremation.
This is when we meet Suzuki (Whang In-Shik), a Japanese chief of intelligence, who suspects they have just been tricked, thinking it may have been a man they've been looking for and not a woman. The stranger shows up in a bar and we notice another man is following him. Suzuki's thugs find the stranger in the bar and a big fight starts. Soon after, the stranger is captured and tortured by Suzuki to talk, then thrown into a prison cell, where the man that was following him is also at.
This is when we find out everything... The man that was following him was thrown into prison for getting caught screwing Suzuki's woman. The stranger is Commander Khan (Jang Jeong-Kuk) who is attached to the Nanking government on a mission to save some gold taken from the Japs. The man that's been following him is Kang Min Wu (Ko Keung), (referred to in this movie as Captain Wu or Mr. Kang) who has orders from the 6th army to help Commander Khan with his mission. Luckily, Khan slips Kang a map where the gold is hidden just before Khan is taken and executed, and Kang escapes from the prison cell (all of this happens in the first 15-20 minutes of the movie), so I will leave the rest to you.
Its a race to see who gets the gold with a few twists and turns along the way. For those looking for the movie where gold gets hidden in a pig, this is the one. Decent story, wish there was more fighting and better action when it does happen. Overall mediocre to me.
Fei cui hu li (1980)
The Jade Fox (1979)
Starring Tien Peng, Doris Lung Chun-Erh and Lo Lieh, with Eddy Ko Hung, Kao Pao-Shu, Wong Yat-Lung, Lam Yi-Wa and Nick Cheung Lik.
The movie starts out telling the story of a king that came to power at the age of nine and since he was too young to govern, he had to rely on a corrupt prime minister that was in league with the kings enemy Ya Shen (Lo Lieh). A traitor sends a secret map to Ya Shen's sister Madam Shu Shen (Doris Lung) who is planning to take over the country. Fortunatly a general learned of the plot and sent a troop (one man) to the area, who meets up with Madam Shu Shen but she assassinates him. Along the way, our hero Jade Fox (Tien Peng) ends up intercepting the secret map, and so it all begins.
Obviously the whole of the movie is based around this secret map, the Jade Fox and this nasty bitch Madam Shu Shen, but the overview sums it up a little better. Overview: In her bid for domination of the kingdom, a wicked woman invites opponents to their doom at her "Fairyland" estate. Funny thing though, it seems that anyone who is invited has to be beat and kidnapped to get there. Of coarse, the Madams' biggest chore is to get the Jade Fox, which isn't an easy task.
The movie has a good cast, good fights, good scenery and we also get to see the kid Wong Yat-Lung (that's only found in 9 or so films, like Snuff Bottle Connection) who's name is "Come Again" and his master is a monkey (we get to see him showcase his monkey style).
Overall a movie that's average fare for 1979. Watch it and write a review (I cant believe I'm the first, maybe these are becoming "the same old thing" to others).
Shui yue shi san dao (1982)
Miraculous Sword Art (1982)
aka An Everlasting Duel aka Liquid Sword II aka Lone Ninja Warrior.
The movie starts out with Snowy White (Tien Peng) and his partner Jade Stone (Chan Sing) receiving a message via messenger pigeon requesting a challenge from Eagle (Tin Hok). Snowy suggests the he and Jade exchange clothes to hide their true identity. Then we jump to the forest where Eagle and his sister Little Wren (Ha Ling-Ling) are hunting and receive a message via carrier pigeon with a challenge from Snowy. They arrive at the meeting place but both are smart enough to realize that someone else has sent these messages as a setup. We learn that 7 years earlier, Eagle and Snowy had a duel and Eagle lost an arm. Overall, Eagle and Snowy are friends but also enemies. How will this end? Will they fight each other or join forces?
The main plot behind the story is that Snowy White has the magic sword of the 13 moons and the one who defeats him can take over the sword, so everybody is after him. The movie is all over the place and will often keep you confused in a guessing game. In addition there are vampires, ridiculous woman disguises, false teeth anyone would be ashamed of and fighting midgets. At times, It simply makes little sense.
The fight scenes are solid, but nothing more, beautiful scenery to look at, but usually quite short staged fights and most things happen quickly. You will notice where the cuts are. Some will love the cheese and others will hate it. I've seen better, and I've seen worse.
Si da tian wang (1974)
Four Real Friends (1974)
aka Dragon Squad...
I watched the German VHS titled "Die Stahlharten 4" (Die Stahlharten Vier) and there was a lot of scenes cut from the film at 84 minutes in length. I have the Four Real Friends DVD and it's runtime is 93 minutes.
I'm surprised there are no reviews on here for this movie. Starring Jimmy Wang Yu (Hsiao Pao), Chan Sing (Master Wu), Chang Yi (Master Hung) and Kam Kong (Hsun) as the four friends (or as they end up being). Also with Luk Chuen (Mr. Chin), Lung Fei (Mr. Hsu), Shan Mao (Shin Kun), Yee Hung (Tavern owner) including other stars and familiar faces.
The movie starts out in a fight where one lone man (Hsun) is defending himself against a group of thugs but escapes. Later we find that Hsun was a member of an escort party which the bandits stole coins and a case of gold. Hsun gets to town in search of help from Master Wu, but finds that he's now a worthless drunk because he just spent 6 months in prison (involuntary manslaughter) from killing a man during a fight. Wu's friend (Master Hung) decides to help Hsun by enlisting a conman (Hsiao Pao), who has come upon some evidence against the bandits and their leader (Mr. Hsu). Justice must be served.
This is a great movie from 1974 with a good story, scenery and fights. A must see for classic Kung Fu fanatics.
Shui ling long (1977)
The Fierce Fist (1977)
Fierce Fist was made in 1976 and released in March of 1977 Starring Yueh Hua (as Sher Lee Chan), Chia Ling (as Shiu Chow), Lo Lieh (as Ku Shun), Terry Hu Yin-Meng (as Su Ling Lung) and Got Siu-Bo (as a deaf mute).
The Story gets a bit twisted throughout the film and you find yourself putting the pieces together or waiting for parts to come together.
We start out seeing Sher Lee Chan and Shiu Chow for a brief moment in the woods, then we flash to a scene taking place in a restaurant where a secret message is being exchanged. Some thugs witness the exchange and beat the men, trying to intercept the message. This is when Shiu Chow shows up, interferes and beats up the thugs. The man that holds the secret message (is dying) asks Shiu to deliver it for him.
We meet Su Ling and find that every man is infatuated with her beauty and would do anything to have her. Later Su Ling is traveling in a wagon that's attacked by thugs that want to kidnap her, thats when Sher Lee shows up, kicks ass, saves her and delivers her home safely. This is when we meet Ku Shun, only to find out that he's an abusive husband, blames Sher Lee for having an affair with his wife, wont listen to reason and proceeds to beat and abuse her.
Word spreads and now everybody thinks that Sher is a womanizer, even his girl Shiu Chow and hell... even his own family. This movie is loaded with abuse, neglect and I don't think I've ever seen so much jealousy before in one place. Sure... eventually we get back to the secret message and even the boss that uses a golden pumpkin as a weapon.
The film is a bit twisted but it's loaded with good scenery and lots of good fights so it's actually quite enjoyable.
Shao Lin zu shi (1976)
Shaolin Monk (1976)
aka "Shaolin Tamo Buddhist Monk" aka "The Fighting of Shaolin Monk" (aka Killer Priest)... OK, lets stop there, i'll try to clear up the confusion. Like ckormos1 said in his review - "What movie are we really watching here?". It's not your fault ckormos1, this does lead to confusion. The box covers shown here of "Killer Priest" are for the movie "The Furious Monk from Shaolin" aka "Shaolin Vengeance" (1974), unfortunately ckormos1's review belongs there too and the other reviews are correct here.
Shaolin Monk (The Fighting of Shaolin Monk) 1976 has a video release by Wu Tang Collection called "Killah Priest" but also has a Xenon's Wu Tang "VHS title" Killer Priest. The Furious Monk from Shaolin (Shaolin Vengeance) 1974 has the Xenon Martial Masters "DVD title" Killer Priest, which is the one most commonly seen. I don't know why they didn't reference Killer Priest in The Furious Monk from Shaolin page ckormos1, which led you to place your review here. Oh, also, both movies have Chan Sing and Phillip Ko on the box covers (they're in both movies) which leads to more confusion.
The easiest way to tell the two apart is to look at the female star roles - Chia Ling is in this one (Shaolin Monk) and Joan Lin Feng-Chiao is in the other (The Furious Monk from Shaolin). Hope this helps someone.
There's not much I can add to this for a review because Brian Camp nailed it again. Good job Brian. I liked this movie, it was good.
Shao Lin he shang (1974)
The Furious Monk from Shaolin (1974)
aka Shaolin Vengeance aka Killer Priest.. WHOA.. Let's stop right there. Before I go any further let me use this quote - "What movie are we really watching here?". This quote was used by ckormos1 when he reviewed "Fighting of Shaolin Monks (1976)" and he was talking about the issue between these two movies and the title "Killer Priest".
Let me explain... This movie (The Furious Monk from Shaolin) has a "DVD" from Xenon "Martial Masters" titled Killer Priest. The movie "Fighting of Shaolin Monks" has Xenon's Wu Tang "VHS" title Killer Priest and a "Wu Tang Collection" titled "Killah Priest". The biggest issue is that "Chan Sing" and "Philip Ko" are on the cover of all of these, so the confusion begins. The biggest difference you can find is the female stars - "Joan Lin Feng-Chiao" being the lead in this one and "Chia Ling" on the "Fighting of Shaolin Monks". Hope this helps somebody out there.
This movie starts out with our hero (Chan Sing) finalizing his ceremony to become a Buddhist monk and his girlfriend (Chia Ling) is trying to stop him, then it flashes back in time to where it all began. Chan works for a logging company and a fight breaks out because he's defending an old man that the boss was being cruel to. The owner shows up (Chia's father), ends up getting knocked down in the hustle and someone kills him, but with the blame being put on Chan Sing. Chan runs and ends up at a temple where they except him and start training him. After a while, Chan leaves the temple and goes back to expose the truth and seek revenge before returning to finish becoming a monk.
This is a good movie and I enjoyed it all the way through. If you like these classics, I'm sure you will too.
Mo gui tian shi (1973)
Devil and Angel (Mo gui tian shi) 1973
The DVD I have is from Germany titled "Wu Kung - Herr der Blutigen Messer" ("Wu Kung - Lord of the bloody knife"), English Dub with a release date of 2010, starring Lo Lieh and Gracy Tong Ka-Lai.
In the beginning we some thugs hiring a guy to make a phone call to report a robbery at a certain time. Then our hero (Lo Lieh) shows up and we soon find him laying in the road to stop a truck carrying money. The truck stops, the men help him up and all hell breaks loose, but our hero gets hit in the back of the head. The cops show up and then we roll into the opening credits.
The credits stop rolling and we start with his release from prison (5 year term), which he heads to his fathers house to be forgiven for the mistake he made. "What the hell just happened"? "Am I missing something here"? and so I thought (and you will too) for a moment. When Lo leaves his fathers, he goes to find his girl (Gracy Tong Ka-Lai) at the hospital (where she works). This is when we find out more detail about what happened, why and how. She wants to know why he kept her waiting for so long (they were supposed to get married) and he explains everything.
Anyway... now that he's out, he wants to seek revenge against the lowlifes that set him up for the fall. Interesting movie, not bad for 1973 and a pretty decent cast.
Nu han meng niu (1974)
Assignment (aka Buffalo Hsiung) (1974)
aka Hong Kong A Kung Fu (France Title) which is the video I have, English dubbed and dated 1976. Starring Liu Ping, Lung Tien-Hsiang, Chan San-Yat, Sally Chen Sha-Li and Wong Fei.
The beginning of the movie we see Mr. Ma (Liu Ping) traveling toward town. When he gets there we see a man throw out a lit cigarette but when Ma goes to pick it up, a bully steps on his hand which starts a fight. Obviously, Ma is poor, down on his luck and it seems that everywhere he goes he gets ridiculed. He goes to a restaurant owned by Master Kao (Wong Fei), is refused service, a fight breaks out and after the damage is done, Ma leaves starving.
This is when Ma runs into Shu Ling (Sally Chen Sha-Li) which feels sorry for him, takes him home and feeds him. Unfortunately, as he's leaving, Master Kao and his thugs are waiting outside. They proceed to beat him bad and leave him for dead floating in the river. Shu Ling comes to his rescue, drags Ma from the water, saves his life and takes him home to heal. This is when we meet her two fiends (Lung Tien and Chan San-Yat) who help protect Ma from Master Kao when he returns again, but it costs them their jobs (they worked for Kao at the restaurant).
They give Ma a Kung Fu book and he learns three deadly strikes (armpit, temple and heart). They then give Ma all their savings and he leaves to better his life. A couple years go by and Ma returns as a wealthy man, to exact his revenge on Kao (which he does with the three strikes) and anyone who ridiculed him in the past.
Ma turns his cheek on his friends that once saved him and becomes no better than the bullies he used to deal with. You'll have to watch this to see the rest of the movie and find out the outcome. This is a decent movie. I've seen better and worse so I would say split it down the middle 50/50.
Ben chu jiang hu lu (1978)
Assault of Final Rival (1978)
Wow, really? OK... Normally I wouldn't even think about posting a review after reading Brian Camp's review on this movie. Brian's review is a must read if your looking for detail and wanting to know exactly what its about. There's really not much anybody could add to it. I just wish he would give a rating score on his reviews to help the overall rating and help us understand where he would rate them.
That being said... I cant believe that this movie has been rated by 30 people and holds a rating of 4.9 out of 10. The arithmetic score is 4.9 but if you look at the median score its 5.5 which is more like it. I mean like really? 4 users scored it a 1 and 7 users scored it a 2? I hope this didn't stop anybody from watching it. If anybody would like to see some 1 or 2 rated 70's Kung Fu movies just ask, i'll send a list and you can compare them with this movie to understand where I'm coming from.
I understand that there could have been more fights especially in the middle where we focus more on story, and if it did it would be a solid 7. Even so, this is a decent story with a decent cast and also sports some great fighting. For those of you that are looking for that movie where the star uses his hair as a weapon, well this is it.
A rating of 1 or 2 most definitely not. Its a good movie, read the review from Brian Camp. I have to give it a solid 6.
Hou quan kou si (1974)
Monkey Fist (1974)
Starring Chan Sau-Chung, Gang Jun-Fat, Sek Kin and Tien Feng. The lead role is played by Chan Sau Chung (a real life monkey fist master).
Monkey Fist is based on the true story of Master Koo Sai, who developed a monkey style of fighting while imprisoned. This is about a Chinese patriot called "Comrade Chan" (Chan Sau-Chung) that is arrested by a corrupt government official named Chow Li Ming (Sek Kin) for not wanting to join the army. Chan finds his friend master "Kang" (Tien Feng) in a martial arts school who hides him and even turns his school over to him while away on business. It is while Kang is gone that Chan is arrested when he defends a student who's luck has run out gambling.
The crime lord Chow Li Ming controls the town, hates Kang's school and uses Chan's arrest as a way to hurt Kang by getting Chan charged with life in prison and demanding Kang pay for the damages to his club. Kang goes broke paying off officials to get Chans sentence reduced to 8 years and eventually loses his school. While Chan is locked up in prison, he watches a monkey out of his window and teaches himself a new monkey style Kung Fu. Chan finally gets out and finds that Kang has passed. Chan sets out to form a new school in tribute to Kang, to train and get revenge against Chow Li Ming. Of coarse Ming finds out that they are trying to open a gym and brings out his thugs to stop them. Let the battle begin (and its pretty good).
My copy was a typical tape transfer with the usual worn out, faded color, soft sound with some specks and spots. Not too bad for a typical 70s low budget Fu flick.
Shuang long gu (1974)
Kung Fu of Tai Kwan Do (1974)
The name of the video I have is "Kung Fu of Tai Kwan Do" aka "Valley of the Double Dragon" and can also be found as "Fist Fighter", starring Kam Chun-Pak (Kim Jin Pai), Sylvester Williams (William Shiela), Robert Baker and Lam Jan-Kei (Lin Chen-Chi).
This film takes place during Japan's occupation of China during World War 2. A downed U.S. fighter pilot George (Williams) forms an uneasy alliance with a group of Chinese freedom fighter Guerillas, Wang Lung, Wang Fung, Fa Par Chi and Shi Gin Don (Kim Jin Pai and crew) as they oppose the Japanese soldiers who have been destroying the countryside with the help from a crazy Nazi (Robert Baker).
Starting off, an American pilot is shot down and forced to parachute into the hands of the Japanese army where he becomes a POW but soon escapes. At first he is angry and distrustful of his soon to be Guerilla allies who use the martial arts. In addition to the protection from the Guerillas, some Chinese lose their lives to protect George, he was thankful for the friendship of the Chinese and learns some Kung Fu.
He soon finds himself in disguise as Guan Yu for protection as the team attempts to infiltrate the Japanese HQ and return him safely to his homeland. This new bond will be tested as the pilot plans each next move. Will honor and trust prevail?
Kung Fu of Tai Kwan Do is a choppy, uneven but worthwhile low budget 70s style war/fu. I watched this one mainly interested in the cast, but I enjoyed it more than I thought I would.
Nu hou (1972)
Chinese Boxing (1972)
When his father is killed, the son goes to Japanese controlled Taiwan to search for the killers.
Starring Li Hung-Chih, Tsi Lan and Hung Chao-Hsiung.
The movie starts out with a man walking down the road, the Japanese jump out of the forest then beat and kill the man. Then we jump to the scene where a new man (our hero) is walking into the village. We find out that he is looking for Master Mann (his father) because he never returned home (obviously the man that died in the beginning) and nobody knew he was dead or missing.
Of coarse, the Japanese are controlling the village, using the women and abusing the people. Our hero sees some foul play and interferes, causing a fight and ends up killing one of the Jap officers. He goes into hiding because the japs want his head. You could only guess what happens next.
Our hero will eventually find his fathers killer, clean up the town and save the village. Its not the greatest film but I've seen a lot worse. There's fighting spaced between the drama and the last 20min is mostly fighting. Maybe I should give it a 3 but I've seen some really bad flicks lately so i'll be nice to this one.
Tiger Man (1983)
Tiger Man (1978)
Tiger Man is an American-Taiwanese co-production made and released in 1978 starring Don Wong Tao, Cecil Peoples and Gam Ming (Tommy Lee). I believe the date listed here (1983) was the release date in Germany. Also... Let me say that as I write this review, the rating score is 8.2, which is beyond laughable.
The movie is a story about "Don Won" (Don Juan) and starts with him as a child working with his father on the farm. We learn that his dream was always to go to America... anyway... Some thugs show up in the village, Don's dad stands up to them and is beaten and killed. Later that night the thugs return and burn down the village forcing Don and his mother to move. They go to Don's uncle, who is a great kung fu master, and Don starts his training to become Tiger Man.
The Movie then jumps to 10 years later in the city of Taipei where Don interferes with the Tongs (gangsters) while defending his best friend (Bruce Lee). The gangsters swear that Don can never run and hide, they will find him and kill him. Don's mom gives him money that she saved and tells him to go to the America where he'll be safe, but it's not enough so he ends up in Hong Kong and the gangsters catch up to him again.
Basically, we follow Don through his life travels, trials and tribulations and yes he finally makes it to America about half way through the movie. There is some brief nudity and a few fights here and there, but I wish there was more. Some of you like this type of thing but it's just not my cup of tea and feel like I just wasted time.
Passionate Dream (1992)
Hardman (1992)
The copy of this I have is titled "Hardman" and was originally released as "Passionate Dream" made in 1992. It seems as though this is a rare film to find when searching for it, but I found this in a cheap bin in a store.
The story is mostly based on 5 friends: Carmen (played by Ngok Hung, known here as Hung Yue), Annie (played by Wong Sin-Yue, known here as Annie Shizuka Inoh), Jackie (played by Vincent Chiu Yan-Jun, known here as En-Chun Chiao), Leon (Played by Alexander Lo Rei) and Chan (played by Yau Ying-Hung).
Carmen writes comic book stories for her company and Annie is her little sister. Carmen is writing a new fantasy story and bases her friends as her characters (Leon is the good guy and Jackie the bad). Jackie is infatuated with Carmen and starts getting too involved with the story when he learns that the bad guy ends up with the woman (Carmen) in the end. Later when he finds Carmen kissing with Leon, he goes to pieces in a jealous rage.
Jackie ends up joining the triads (with Cheung Aau-Tang as Boss Kuen) and feels as if he's become the character from Carmen's book. Chan is Jackie's friend and roommate, owns a pizza shop, but ends up losing it when Jackie is no longer around to help.
The story jumps back and forth a little between reality and the story (fantasy) with lots of wirework in both, including firearms with endless ammunition, villains that can't hit anything but heroes that hit most everything with one shot, exploding ammo and 40 kicks in mid air etc...
Some people like this type of thing but its not for me. Although I made it through the movie to the end, I would rather watch a cheesy 70's kung fu flick.
Chen jian (1983)
General Invincible (1983)
Starring Pearl Cheung Ling, Adam Cheng Siu-Chow, Wang Hsieh and Tien Feng. Produced by Chou Kuang-Ti, directed by Cheung Paang-Yee and Pearl Cheung Ling.
The movie begins with a lot of flying kung fu, the white haired guy who does that funny wiggling of the ears (that you've seen before) and states that no one is qualified to fight with him, which a young man tries, but fails.
A mean master and his thugs devise a plan to kill the four lords and gain control of the country but the fourth lord manages to chop off the hand of an assassin before he dies. His daughter called General Women returns to find her father dead but is hesitant to start more fighting.
General Woman's master kills himself to entice her into revenge, which she does, wielding the Shadow Sword with her sidekick that's a mute. She plans her attack, finally meets up with the young man at the beginning of the movie and they end up in a complicated love triangle.
The main fight is with our couple against the mean master and they win with the help of the Falling Star Sword, but its not over yet. There's another showdown with the old master at the beginning of the film (who thinks no one is qualified to fight him) and our General Women does just that. The last scene is with General Women sitting by the ocean with the sword in her hand.
This movie has women dancers, nice sets, nice costumes and flying fantasy kung fu if that's what you like. It is a roller-coaster ride that has a fast pace with some really slow areas and places that seem to make no sense whatsoever. If this is your type of thing you may find it quite enjoyable, but others may not. It was a 50/50 for me.
Shao Lin huo bao bei (1994)
Two Shaolin Kids in Hong Kong (1994)
Or... Shaolin Kids in Hong Kong. Starring Choi Yue, Gordon Liu Chia-Hui, Anita Lee Yuen-Wa, Lee Hiu-Tung, Phillip Kwok Chun-Fung, Johnny Wang Lung-Wei and Gabriel Wong Yat-San.
This movie starts in Shaolin Temple where the Master (Gordon Liu) has a task of trying to train kids into shaolin monks. Two of his youngest students try to escape their master's punishment, so decide that there's a better world out there and go out to seek their fate in Hong Kong.
The Master follows them but must face his own ignorance of the outside world. The two boys are taken in by a young woman named Money (Anita Lee) and find themselves in trouble over a belt of counterfeit money belonging to a local drug boss (Lung Wei). Only our Master can save the day and the kids.
This is a cheap movie that seems to be made to appeal to kids, but there is some casting that makes you wonder. Besides the overacting and goofy sound effects I was wanting more and who wouldn't with that cast.
Of coarse, there's Gordon's fight in one section with Philip Kwok, the end fight with villain Lung Wei is good and the Shaolin Kids are also pretty good even with weapons.
It's hard to grade a film like this (as it seems as it was meant for kids) but that doesn't mean it can't be good. Some will like it and some will hate it.
Zei zei zei (1975)
Thief of Thieves (1974)
Not to be confused with the Shaw Bros production Thief of Thieves (1975).
The copy I have is titled Shaolin Thief released by Ocean Shores dated 1986. Starring Yu Tien-Lung, Chi Lan, Tsai Hung and Cho Kin. Also Tsui Fu-Sheng, Lee Wai, Seung-Goon Leung, Wong Lik and directed by Fang Hsieh.
The rebels have built a strong force and the military need more weapons in order to beat them. The Japanese have offered Firearms and ammunition to the corrupt general in exchange of priceless Chinese treasures. Master Kwa is celebrating his 60th birthday and is going to reveal his priceless family heirloom (the 8 jade gods). The Japanese want it and the corrupt general will stop at nothing to get it for a trade.
Of coarse... Master Kwa ends up killed, his daughter kidnapped and its up to our heroes to save the day.
Another mid 70's flick that some will like and others wont. Not bad... I've seen worse.
Tang Shan a di (1977)
The Blood Hero (1976)
The copy I have is on VHS titled "The Blood Hero" dated 1976 and dubbed in English.
The movie stars Meng Fei and Little Unicorn (as brothers) with Ruben Ramos and Ernie Ortega as the main villains. Also starring Romy Mallari, Christina Reyes, Dick Israel and Anna Marie Chen.
Directed by Chik Yiu-Cheong, filmed in the Philippines and a Hong Kong / Philippine co-production, this film (from that era) is one of the better ones you'll find.
I remember seeing this in the late 80's or early 90's. The movie was OK as I remember with a decent storyline.
The villains try to buy Unicorn Chan and Meng Fei's father's land to grow opium in exchange for weapons from the Japanese. Unicorn was willing to sign it over to them because he was enticed by the money and women, but has problems getting ahold of the deeds to the land. Because they were holding out, the thugs came and caused a fight which led to their father's death.
Of coarse Meng Fei blamed Unicorn for this, but the brothers reunite in the end to get their revenge.
Some would give this a poor rating, but others would enjoy one of the better Hong Kong / Philippine co-productions of the 70's. I would recommend giving it a try.
Huan tie xiong di (1982)
Huan Tie Xiong Di (aka Blood Brothers) 1982
The story starts off (set in 1933 Shanghai) with two friends (blood brothers) Chen Kuan-Tai and Don Wong Tao working at a casino and collecting bets for they're boss. Chen decides to bet the bosses money and loses, starting some serious trouble.
The two decide to split up, leave Shanghai and vow to meet again one day. Chen ends up finding a job at a brothel, meets a girl, gets married, but the casino boss finds him, kills his wife and leaves him in a body cast. That's when don shows up and we find out that he has become a cop. Chen later ends up working for a crime boss that he saved once and as time goes on he keeps getting promoted becoming a "big wig". So... as the story goes... one friend working as a cop and the other in a crime organization. What will the outcome be?.. You'll have to watch to find out.
Decent movie, decent plot, decent fights and has nudity.... 6
Also... The leading cast are: Chen Kuan-Tai, Don Wong Tao, Chan Sing, Chen Hung-Lieh and Lung Fei.
Gu tong xiao (1978)
Revenge of the Shaolin Kid 1978
Revenge of the Shaolin Kid... The video I have is titled "Master of Death"... Magnificent Bodyguards can also be found titled Master of Death.
I'm not quite sure which movie Davidyyl2000 is reviewing (Claws weapon in suitcase, and, main character is dead before the end), it sounds familiar, but I can't put a finger on it - I can tell you that it's "not" this movie.
Here we start out with our hero (Chi Kuan-Chun) finishing up 13 years of training by an Abbott (Woo Wai) and is let go to seek revenge for his murdered father.
Three killers were hired by our villain Marshal Kim Man Kang (Lo Lieh) 13 years earlier to kill his father, now it's time to seek out the killers, with some help from a white haired old master (Lee Wan-Chung).
Great fights, decent choreography and a nice cast.
Tie han (1973)
The Iron Man 1973
Another movie starring Jimmy Wang Yu made only months before "Beach of the War Gods" and three years before any "One-Armed Swordsman" or "Master of the Flying Guillotine". The credited cast shown here (IMDB) is Yu Wang (Jimmy Wang Yu), Li-Min Chang (Cheung Lee-Man), Bin-hwa Lee (Lee Bin-Hwa) and Fei Lung (Lung Fei). I'm not sure about Lee Bin Hwa... Maybe she played the mother in the very beginning, but the other actual credited female is Tung Fong Mei-Fung (known here as Mei-fung Tung Fang). Anyway.....
When the movie starts we find our hero Chin (Jimmy) as a little boy (played by Kam Ting-Hsun). The Japanese (Lung Fei and thugs) come to the house, kill his parents and chop his hand off. Then "Bam" the opening credits roll and the little boy is now a grown Chin looking for revenge with the faces of his enemies burned into his brain.
Chin now has a fake hand covered by a black glove and goes on a killing spree of Feng's (Lung Fei) associates and tries to stop Feng's arranged marriage.
The fights are decent, there's stabbing, slicing, shooting and even poison darts... and there's a bit more nudity than usual. I'm up in the air on this one and thinking about it remains 50/50 for me but leaning more towards 4 - 4.5....
Also... I hear that this movie is also being distributed with the title "Tough Guy" (which isn't listed here or anywhere that I've seen). If that's the case, then it could cause some confusion. There's Tough Guy 1972 aka Revenge of the Dragon, Kung Fu's Hero 1973 aka Tough Guy, Tough Guy 1974 aka The Black Dragon, Duel at Tiger Village 1978 aka Tough Guy and Tough Guy 1997 Directed by Ka Ka and stars Woody Chan Chin-Pang, Xu Jing-Lei (Jinglei Xu), Yu Rong-Guang (Rongguang Yu) and Billy Chow Bei-Lei. So... as long as you keep an eye on the director and cast, you'll know which "Tough Guy" you have or viewed.
Zhui lie (1978)
Shaolin Kung Fu Master
I forgot all about this movie. I haven't seen it since one of those late night movies I saw in the early '80s on TV.
The copy I have is directed by Wong Fei Lung and is dated 1978 and "not" directed by Jimmy Shaw in 1980 as stated here.
There are five deadly fighters all trained in they're special techniques including monkey, arm, eagle claw, staff and one that's not mentioned only to assume that he's the main villain. These fighters are being killed off one by one and our star is trying to find out who is doing it.
This kung fu movie is a bit of a mystery with good choreography, plenty fights and Wong Tao (Don Wong) as a standout. It has a pretty decent cast, with Wong Goon Hung (Kuan-Hsiung Wang) as the leading man and Tsang Chiu (Chao Tseng) plays his sidekick.
Cheung Paang (Peng Chang) has a good villain role and Chang Yi plays the main villain (which isn't revealed until later in the movie). Chang Yi has a fight with Wong Goon Hung near the end of the movie and Wong gets defeated easily by Chang Yi, but he lets him go to train for six months hoping that Wong can come back and give him a good fight. It leads to his training scene where Wong uses bamboo poles and has a bunch of cobras around him and he catches them with his hands.
All of this is over a hidden treasure of gold buried in a well on a hill. I enjoyed seeing this again, I give it 6