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.
The seminal Huangmei Opera adaptation from Shaw, The Crimson Palm features the unforgettable film song “Country Road” by Ivy Ling Po. The story evolves around Lin Shao-teh, a poor student who was engaged to Chien-king (Chin Ping), the daughter of billionaire Wang Chun (Yu Kuan-chao). To support her lover for the exam, Chien-king offered gold as Lin’s traveling expenses and asked to meet him at midnight. When Lin arrived as scheduled, all he could find was the bloody corpse of Chien-king’s maid (Li Ching)!
Young Lin Hsiao-hung (Shih Szu) is a poor orphan. She seeks the help of her wealthy uncle, Fang Chen-chuan (Ching Miao) and his sons, Fang Cheng (Yueh Hua) who is brave and honest, and Fang Feng (Chen Hung-lieh), a playboy. Strangely, Fang Chen-chuan favors only Fang Feng. When Fang Feng refuses to pay a gambling debt, his father pays up. Later, Fang Feng is prevented from molesting a girl by Fang Cheng who explains she is their cousin, Lin Hsiao-hung. But soon the same thing happens again and Fang Cheng intervenes once more, causing enmity between the brothers. Fang Feng seriously wounds the Magistrate's son, Li Teng-yao in a fight but Fang Chen-chuan exerts his authority to protect his son from the law. Fang Cheng is banished from the house after a fierce argument with his father over Fang Feng's uncontrolled behavior. To avenge himself, Li Teng-yao ambushes and wounds Fang Feng, and while she dresses his wounds, he rapes Lin Hsiao-hung. Fang Chen-chuan is furious to discover that Lin Hsiao-hung is pregnant, and refuses to believe her true explanation. A servant, Ta Shan Ken intervenes, taking the blame for her condition, and Fang Chen-chuan drives them both from the house. Fang Feng discovers their whereabouts, and beats Ta Shan Ken to death. This forces him to become an outlaw. His acts of robbery and subsequent murder of Li Teng-yao, make him a hunted criminal. Fang Cheng, now a lawman, is sent to capture Fang Feng. The brothers and Lin meet in a final confrontation. Though wounded by her, Fang Feng kills Lin before dying himself from her fatal bullet wound.
Legendary director Chang Cheh brings heroic bloodshed to the streets of contemporary Hong Kong in Police Force. It's also the debut of Chang's latest talent discovery, Alexander Fu Sheng, who quickly rocketed to stardom. Alexander Fu Sheng was the only Shaw actor to successfully challenge Jackie Chan's foothold on the kung fu comedy. Fight scenes choreographed by the celebrated Liu Chia Liang (Lau Kar Leung) just rock and roll with eye-popping delight.
In Pale Passion, Chin Ping-hsing's only directed film, the gorgeous Chiang Li-ping plays a scorned wife Ah Hsia in an unsettling tale about cheating, adultery and blatant abuse, which develops into a deadly love triangle. The vivacious Elaine Chin Yen-ling plays the other woman Ah Hsing, who teaches the hypocritical husband Ah Fa (Ai Ti) that what goes around comes around! Unknown to him, karma returns in a much more damaging way...
Director Chu Yuan reunited with novelist Ku Lung and superstar Ti Lung in this exciting sequel to Clans of Intrigue. Ti returns to our favourite costume drama role and plays the hero, sexy swordsman Chu Liu-hsiang, whose exploits on the battlefield are rivaled by those in the boudoir. This time he travels to the mysterious Island of the Bats, where he encounters treacherous monks, beautiful women, and a strange Prince of the Bats. Filled with non-stop action and erotic romances, the film is definitely an exhilarating feast for the eyes.
Shaw Brothers pulled out all the stops to make this star-studded magnificent drama. Fan Chia-soo (Kwan Shan) is a kind-hearted student who is smitten with Shen(Li Li-hua), a heart-rending love song singer. The General's henchmen are determined to present the songstress to their superior as a gift no matter what. Fan receives aid from an unexpected person just in time to save the woman he loves...
The young Chen Chi-chin (Liu Yung) loses heavily to experienced gambler Hu Kuan-ten (Lo Lieh). His father loses at cards and dies of shock. Chen appeals to his uncle who summons seven fellow professional gamblers to carry out vengeance. Much more than a gambling film, this is a thrilling melting pot of martial arts stars, extortion, illicit love, poker-face vengeance, and all sorts of edge-of-your-seat gambling duels. Featuring two of the leading action stars of the era, Chen Kuen-tai and Lo Lieh, in a series of intense poker game standoffs. Famed director of the genre, Wong Jing, also has a guest appearance as one of the Notorious Eight.
Liu Yung, Chen Kuan-tai, Wong Jing, Lo Lieh, Linda Chu
One of Hong Kong's top directors reunited with its biggest comedy star after several previous hits (ROYAL SCOUNDREL, JUSTICE, MY FOOT) – only this time their subject was the gods themselves. Internationally proclaimed comic genius Stephen Chow plays petty, arrogant god Dragon Fighter Lo Han, who is changed into "Monk Chai" and ordered to alter the fates of three bad people on Earth, lest he be retransmigationized. Unfortunately for him (but to any viewer's delight), the trio he finds are a prostitute (played by the radiant, remarkably talented Maggie Cheung Man-yuk), a beggar (played by award-winning actor Anthony Wong), and a cold-blooded killer. Chow and To wring honest pathos and many laughs from this wonderful scenario, ably supported by the star's welcome sidekick Ng Man-tat and vaunted action director Ching Siu-tung (the director of A CHINESE GHOST STORY and the producer of THE HEROIC TRIO).
Stephen Chiau, Maggie Cheung, Ng Man-tat, Anthony Wong
Months before Bruce Lee burst into the international scene with ENTER THE DRAGON, this powerful story of tragedy, torture, redemption, and revenge premiered across America under the unforgettable title FIVE FINGERS OF DEATH. And, under that title, it went on to become the first international martial arts movie hit, and a perennial best-selling video. It made a continent-spanning star of Lo Lieh, and established the Shaw Brothers as the preeminent studio for high quality action and adventure. Now, finally, after more than thirty years, the original KING BOXER takes its rightful place as the film that started it all for the Western world. Not surprisingly, the tale of an honorable fighter's retraining in the "Iron Palm" style after corrupt invaders crush his hands remains as potent and exciting as when it premiered.
Renowned director Yueh Fung (Lay General Hua Mu-lan, Silent Love) directs this sensitively toned melodrama focused on the rarely touched upon subject of single motherhood. In a time when single parenthood was a less acceptable in Hong Kong, attractive Wen-lan (Fang) finds herself the target of the desires of 3 men. But as a single mother, if Wen Lan wants to be loved, she has to give up her beloved son. In an era when female chastity and purity are valued over all else, how can a single parent woman to find emotional contentment and fulfillment? Watch out for a rare dramatic turn for action superstar Jimmy Wang Yu (One Armed Swordsman).
In one of their last films, Wang Ping helped veteran Yueh Feng to finish this saga of a murdered brother, a determined sister, and the suspects and swordsmen who both hinder and help in a search for a killer. Shu Pei-pei lends her exceptional talent to the production alongside hero Yueh Hua, who is her stalwart companion in a pitched battle to rid the town of all killers, gangsters, and thieves.
Stephen Chow is a delight in this supernatural action comedy about a murdered cop returning from beyond the grave to persuade a rookie (Chow) into avenging his death.
Stephen Chow, Tung Piao, Fung Shui-fan, Chan Tak-yong
Toward the end of the Ching Dynasty, the South China Sea was swarming with pirates looking to plunder treasure-rich Portuguese merchant ships. This titanic tale of a daring and heroic "Robin Hood" of the seas took no less than three directors: the "godfather of the kung-fu film," Chang Cheh, his trusted co-director Pao Hsueh-li, and soon-to-be pioneer filmmaker Wu Ma. Adding to its importance is the fact that it is a starring showcase for Ti Lung, who came to prominence just a few years before, teamed with the charismatic David Chiang. Although Chiang guest stars as a suspicious but noble government officer, this is clearly Ti’s show as he swashes and buckles with the best of them - not just to save his pirate pals, but to aid persecuted fisher-folk against a corrupt and evil local ruler. It all adds up to epic entertainment which ranks with the finest seafaring adventures.
