Jimmy Wang Yu heads the stellar cast from the golden era of Shaw Brothers under the brilliant directing of auteur Chang Cheh, and here underlies their next collaboration on the classic One-Armed Swordsman. The story centers on a swordsman on the run (Wang), with his beloved trailing to find him. The intensive action scenes are beautifully choreographed; setting an example for Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and the like, 34 years later.
The Liu Chia-liang trained Hui Ying-hung was considered the top action martial arts female star in the 1980s. It is her martial arts abilities that Michelle Yeoh tries to emulate. In The Tiger and the Widow, Hui Ying-hung is somehow mixed up in a salt smuggling ring that stinks of missing persons and rotten dilemmas. The film gathered two Golden Horse Awards in 1981; Best Costume Design and Best Art Direction.
Li Ching plays, Ah Chiao, a girl from a rural village stranded in the city, who befriends a kind-hearted tramp and a retired actor. They are all poor, but Ah Chiao’s fortune change for the better when she becomes a singer. However, she ultimately learns money can't buy happiness.
Shaolin firebrands Fang Shih-yu,Hung Hsi-kuan, and Hu Huei-chien are as famous in Asia as the Three Musketeers are in America and Europe. So when the "godfather of the kung-fu film," Chang Cheh decided to tell their stories with Alexander Fu Sheng, Chen Kuan-tai, and Chi Kuan-chiin the roles, it was cause for celebration. The resulting film is one of the most lauded and beloved in the director's filmography, and remains a highlight in all the stars' careers. Each hero is given his own story, but when they all come together in a final, day-long battle with hundreds of troops, the effect is unforgettable. Although known and loved by American fans as Disciples Of Death, that cropped, dubbed, edited version cannot compare to this magnificent original.
Two Con Men is a wonderfully twisted, pseudo-romantic comedy in the vein of "Robin Hood" meets "The Sting". Starring Liang Tien as Clever Chan and Chang Ying (who's done over 400 films) as Tricky Ching, it's the age-old competition between a rookie con artist versus the ultimate, experienced flimflam man. It's a game Chen cannot afford to lose, because people's lives - including his own, hang in the balance of good versus evil.
Long before he became internationally famous for directing Bruce Lee's first film and giving Jackie Chan his big break, Lo Wei was famous for his acting. He was, in fact, a wellknown matinee idol in the 1950's. He enjoyed appearing in front of the camera throughout his career - even in his five years working at the Shaw Studio. This was one of his most central roles, as the loyal swordsman ShangkuanHao, leader of the Black Dragon Clan. Sharing the screen with him was swordswoman supreme Cheng Pei-pei, the lovely and luminous superstar who also created an international stir with her one and only villainous role (in Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon). Here she is as most fans love her best: the heroic woman warrior who saves the country. But she must face the duplicitous White Dragons, the Flying Leopard, and the Red-headed Monk, among others, to secure the throne and safeguard a hoard of treasure.
Cheng Pei-pei , Yueh Hua , Wu Fung, Lo Wei, Tien Feng
No list compiled of all the screen's comic geniuses would be complete without Michael Hui. He created a hilarious and lovable comic persona that was both uniquely Asian and universally beloved. The Warlord, his first film, not only showcased his incomparable sense of humour but also a revolutionized Hong Kong comedy. Evoking Chaplin, he plays a warlord in early 20th century China, but makes the role his own with comedy. Some of the sexiest ladies on the Shaw Brothers lot add on to the ingenuity of the movie.
"Godfather of the kung-fu film" Chang Cheh had made stars of Jimmy Wang Yu, David Chiang, and Ti Lung. With this film, the sequel to the smash hit THE BOXER FROM SHANTUNG, he and co-director Pao Hseuh-li did the same for real life martial arts champion Chen Kuan-tai. Master of the "Monkey King Split and Deflecting Arm" style, Chen exuded incredible power on screen, which his directors used to great advantage in this fight-filled follow-up. All the title character did was win some money gambling with a Shanghai gang leader's playboy son, but that's enough for the father and child to want obsessive revenge. It all culminates in an incredible climatic fight, choreographed by the legendary Liu Chia-liang and Chen Chuan, co-star of Bruce Lee’s FIST OF FURY.
Forbidden love and magical weapons are at the centre of this enjoyable martial arts comedy. A reunited couple must recover the titular swords and avenge a murder from their past!
Tales Of A Eunuch reunites the potent mix of martial arts superstar Gordon Liu Chia-hui, who plays Emperor in cognito Kang Hsi, with the kung-fu comedienne Wang Yu, an anti-Ching revolutionary. It is a film laced with wild barrages of excellent martial arts chiefly choreographed by Yuen Hua and Yuan Pien; Jackie Chan's long-time kung-fu classmates. At one time, Wang was considered to be the next Alexander Fu Sheng.
Wang Yu , Ku Feng , Linda Chu , Liao Li-ling , Liu Chia-hui
This musical production showcases personable singer/actor George Lam, who tries to find love and success in the world of TV commercials along with his buddies Hamburger and Snoopy.
Avid international kung-fu films fans have a special place in their hearts for this outstanding martial arts drama, which marked the ascension of director Sun Chung and action choreographer Tang Chia to legendary status. Tang also appeared as the "Chief Security Officer" in this powerful tale of the Thirteen Eagles Assassination Sect of the infamous Iron Boat Clan. Ku Feng is excellent as the poisonously patriarchal leader of the killers, but conflicted "son" Ti Lung and vengeful victim Alexander Fu Sheng command the screen as consummate warriors united in tragedy. Everything is exceptional in this endlessly entertaining production: from the cinematography of Lan Nei-tsai, to the script by Shaw Brothers' writing wizard Ni Kuang, to the editing of Chiang Hsing-loong and Yu Hsiao-feng, which deservedly won the Golden Horse Award.
The subtle repackage of the most filmed Ching Dynasty novel, The Dream Of The Red Chamber by renowned director Li Han-hsiang has earned public acclaim by attaining The Best Art Direction of The 15th Golden Horse Award, The Best Costume and The Best Art Direction Of The 24th Asian Film Festival. Brigitte Lin and Sylvia Chang play the adorable yet sorrowful couple Bao Yu and Dai Yu; playing their roles to the hilt in this gloomy love story of their uncontrollable destinies.
Brigitte Lin , Sylvia Chang , Deborah , Michelle Mei Suet
Greed, power struggles and adrenalin-pumping action form the basis of this sequel which bears all the trademarks of director Wong Jing, often called the Roger Corman of Hong Kong. It is 20 years since Part 1 and Ho Hsin (Canto-pop idol Andy Lau) is now the proud and powerful owner of a chain of casinos in Macau. His former partner Nieh Ao-tien (Liu Shao-ming), now reliant on him, is bitter at the turn of fortunes and schemes to overthrow Ho. He isn’t the only one out to get Ho, however. A young man, Cheng Chen (Tsai Yi-chieh) is hired by Ho to work in the casino, not knowing that Cheng is the son of his former lover (Joey Wang Jo-yin) who is out to kill him. But Ho isn’t about to just roll over and die.
Andy Lau, Michelle Lee, Chingmy Yau, Alex Man, Liu Shao-ming
