This is widely regarded as one of the most controversial and erotic films in Hong Kong cinema. Chu Yuan helmed this 1972 cult classic featuring Lily Ho in her most audacious role as a beautiful and mysterious courtesan caught in a web of sex and murder with her powerful and ruthless madam (Pei Ti). The film's unprecedented genre crossover of lesbian-themed period thriller with eye-popping martial arts is a real screen gem for generations of movie aficionados.
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon could be called "Swordswomen Two." Three decades earlier, Shen Yi, Essie Lin Chia, and Pan Ying-tzu took on Shaw's first international superstar, Lo Lieh for the Han Family Sword - making this a four-star treat for action fans.
Shen Yi, Essie Lin, Pan Ying-tzu, Chang I, Lo Lieh
There is no Chinese novel more famous than Journey To The West; and while there have been many movie adaptations, this memorable version presents a unique interpretation with humour, action, and fantasy galore. Ho Fan (who later became a celebrated erotic film director) plays the monk who undertakes a journey for Buddhist scriptures, encountering Monkey, Pigsy, and a damsel in distress (played by the actress named "The Most Beautiful Creature In China"), among many fun and fascinating others.
The chase may be long, but the action is fast and furious is this tale of a dart master-for-hire and the innkeeper’s daughter, Hsueh-niang (Li Ching) who loves him. Kou Ying (Yueh Hua) is under deadly threat from a police officer after he assassinates a Government Minister, while Hsueh-niang is the target of murderous local bandits. The consummately versatile director, Ho Meng-hua soon to be declared a master of the “esoteric weapon” kung-fu film, develops his style with this sharp thriller that really gets to the point.
Shaw's and TVB's biggest stars join hands in this ensemble cast tale of the woes of falling headfirst into a hunger chase for money and riches. In 1973, the Hong Kong Heng Seng Index hit extraordinary peaks, and people from all walks of life go stock market crazy. Meanwhile, Hong Kong's social problems pile up without anyone paying any attention to what's happening to the crazy lives of this mad city that so many people call home. An ingenious tongue-in-cheek tale from talented director Chu Yuan.
After a remarkable career helming such diverse cult favorites as THE FLYING GUILLOTINE and THE MIGHTY PEKING MAN, trusted director Ho Meng-hua started wrapping up his Shaw Studio career with this memorable kung-fu adventure starring internationally renowned David Chiang. While he was best known for his roles as a grinning, streetwise, fighter in many Chang Cheh - directed classics, David Chiang rarely played a noble warrior monk, making this production all the more notable. Here he portrays the great Chih Shim, the monk who saved the Southern Shaolin Temple from the Ching Government and traitors alike. Shaw's first international star, Lo Lieh, returns to the role he also made famous - that of Shaolin renegade Pai Mei. Rounding out the superlative action cast is the "first lady of Shaw kung-fu," Lily Li, as one of Monk Chih Shim's best allies. They unite for a true martial arts epic of the first order.
When an absent-minded nutty professor creates a "Super Pill", a gang boss wants it and the clever complications compound until it's up to a fast-thinking super girl to save the day.
Sun Chung started exploring the kung-fu genre with this fascinating tale which mixes music and martial arts. It's a tale of conflicting clans and a mysterious song called 'The Proud One' which leads to slowly blossoming love as well as sudden death.
Famed action director Chu Yuan helmed this engaging Chinese Robin Hood adventure with martial arts battles choreographed by Yuen Cheung-yan (Charlie's Angels, Daredevil). Action star Yueh Hua is a master thief who earned his nickname by gliding on walls. The film features universal screen idol Connie Chan Pao-chu in her final performance as the Lizard's faithful partner-in-crime against a corrupt police chief, played by genre veteran Lo Lieh.
A comedy about a naïve villager who arrives in the big city to seek his fortune. "The Crazy Bumpkins" is hilarious and bittersweet, much like its simple tragic-hero who has a heart of gold but pockets of lint.
It is little wonder why Chang Cheh is considered legendary. Not only did he usher in a whole new kind of "yanggang" (macho) cinema, but he was also one of the most prolific and consistent directors in the world. He made more than 70 films in the period between 1960 and 1975, but this was considered one of the most notable. A nominal sequel to the equally acclaimed SHAOLIN MARTIAL ARTS, this powerful production came a year later and cemented Alexander Fu Sheng's superstardom with a performance many proclaimed the best of the young lead's career. It is also one of the last Chang Cheh films choreographed by Liu Chia-liang, who was becoming a legendary director in his own right. Together, they made this tale of the Shaolin vs. Manchu conflict -- played out at a textile mill -- one of the highlights in kung-fu film history.
This glorious pageantry was awarded Honourable Mention for Drama at the 2nd Golden Horse Awards. Li Li-hua gives a magnificent performance as Wu Tse-tien, the most famous woman in China's more than four thousand year history. The screen fairly bursts with royalty, intrigue, tragedy, and triumph as the script charts her from her teenage years to old age.
Li Li-hua, Chao Lei, Chiao Chuang, Lo Chi, Yu Feng-chi
Wong Jing writes, directs and co-stars in this romantic-comedy about a young man (Wilson Lam) who must marry within the month if he is to inherit his dying grandfather's fortune.
Of all the classics maximal martial art moviemaker Liu Chia-liang made, this one really stands out. It is almost more a slapstick comedy than any film he had previously created, and a tailor-made showcase for the "odd couple" skills of international favorite Alexander Fu Sheng and the elegant "Cary Grant of kung-fu" Cheng Shao-chiu (ZU WARRIORS FROM THE MAGIC MOUNTAIN, SHAOLIN AND WUTANG). Their wushu squabbling for supremacy ultimately imperils an incognito emperor, leading to a bang-up battle featuring the participation of both the director's and star's brothers (Gordon Liu Chia-hui, Liu Chia-yung, and Chang Chan-peng). Also in the mix are MY YOUNG AUNTIE Hui Ying-hung, MAD MONKEY KUNG FU Hsiao Hou, and Shaw villain supreme Wang Lung-wei. The result is a sparkling, unexpected family affair from the king of kung-fu filmmakers.
