Film lovers and critics went out of their way to praise this Liu Chia-liang version of the Shaolin destruction and revenge epic. Many called it the preeminent kung-fu director's best and certainly his greatest on the theme of history, martial arts, and family. Little wonder, since, beyond the Shaolin story, it also shows how Liu's own family style of kung-fu, Hung Fist, was created. There are unforgettable sequences throughout, highlighted by Hung Hsi-kuan (the mighty Chen Kuan-tai) and Fang Yung-chun's (the wonderful Lily Li) wedding night... where the lovers inexorably test their Tiger and Crane kung-fu styles in a symbolic treatment of a couple's power struggles. Almost equally unforgettable are the training sequences and a full three titanic confrontations with the White-Browed Hermit (the impressive Lo Lieh), betrayer of the Temple. The critics were right: Liu has out-done himself...as usual!
Wong Jing, who is now considered one of the leading lights in Hong Kong cinema, wrote, directed, and co-starred in this Asian-accented Cinderella story starring the glorious Maggie Cheung Man-yuk as a TV actress who inadvertently buys a shoe with a stolen diamond secreted in it. That makes her the target of the two bumbling thieves, as well as a bunch of greedy killers. After action, laughs, and romance, it, of course, turns out that she lives happily ever after…!
Wang Jing, Chan Pak-cheung, Maggie Cheung, Wang Yu
Kuei Chih-hung was famous for his modern day crime thrillers, his horror flicks, and even his comedies. But if the only kung-fu film he ever made was this one, he’d still be spoken of with respect by even the most ardent martial arts movie fan. Many consider this real life martial arts champion Chen Kuan-tai’s best performance. As a deeply, even obsessively, dedicated Chief Court Constable, he illuminates the screen with fighting skill and emotional passion. Award winning actor Ku Feng is his equal, playing an especially homicidal robber-chief who thinks nothing of throwing all his men at their relentless pursuer. Lu Tsun and Huang Pei-chi choreograph the many battles featuring such action stalwarts as Pai Piao and Ai Fei.
Danny Lee, Jason Pai and Sun Chien play newly-recruited law enforcers whose crime-fighting is hampered by their corrupt superiors, in this period-set martial arts thriller.
Pai Piao, Danny Lee, Sun Chien, Lin Hsiu-chun, Lo Lieh
On a continent which reveres its martial arts, the director's nickname is "Kung-fu Liang" - holder of a filmography unprecedented in its innovation of theme, ingeniousness of plot, and imagination of its astonishingly designed kung-fu. This production is clearly the culmination of his initial Shaw Brothers work - the film which he used as a showcase for his and his brothers' - Chia-yung and Gordon Lui - skills. In the premiere, groundbreaking book on the genre, Martial Arts Movies, author Ric Meyers called it "the quintessential martial arts movie" and perhaps the greatest kung-fu movie ever made. Showing prescience customary with this visionary, the plot revolved around early 20th century pugilists vainly attempting to find a kung-fu which could defeat the bullet... years before the same theme would be used in Once Upon A Time In China. It also features the rarely dramatized magician-spies of China, who would ultimately inspire the Japanese ninja. But most importantly, it is a beautifully made action comedy featuring international fan favorite Alexander Fu Sheng and supremely brilliant kung-fu.
Liu Chia-liang , Liu Chia-yung , Hui Ying-hung , Gordon Liu
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.
In a great rendition of The Silver Fox and Legend of the Fox comes this exciting adventure, where the only thing between the clan leaders and certain death is Hui Ying-hung.
Fatherless as a child, Hsiang (David Chiang) supports his mother, but gangsters kill his mother, so he starts killing in revenge. Unlike his swordplay heroes, Hsiang admits guilt, expresses sorrow and is imprisoned. Directed and played by Ti Lung, the film features great fights by Yuan Hsio-tieng (The Matrix's fight choreographer Yuen Woo-ping's father).
Wei Fu is an unremarkable woodcutter. However, when psychotic marauders killed his family and abducted his sister, he goes through vigorous martial arts training with an expert swordsman in order to exact revenge on the evildoers.
Respected veteran director Li Han-hsiang capped it all off with this fascinating period drama of royal intrigue. Li Kun plays the ingenious Lord Liu, whose intelligence is envied by the Emperor (Liu Yung).
Liang Jia-jen delivers an awesome display of screen presence and martial art prowess in Secret Service Of The Imperial Court where he plays secret service agent Chao Pu-fun, who must rise up above the odds to protect the innocent against a power-crazy Eunuch (Liu Yung).
Queen of the silver screen, Li Ching is Ma Chin-ling, the gifted archer is sent to save the Cao King's kidnapped daughter from the notorious Golden Dragon Hill bandits. There are many dangers on their journey to the Mansion on Golden Dragon Hill... and the attack on Golden Dragon Hill stronghold is just the beginning for Ma's team, who must face trickery, double-crosses, and death! Also starring martial arts stalwarts, Tang Ching and Ku Feng...
Li Ching, Tang Ching, Ku Feng, Chin Miao, Wang Kwong-yu
Cheng Kang both wrote and directed this exciting, historical, martial arts drama. Yueh Wah, a co-star in Trilogy Of Swordsmanship here plays the Sung Dynasty army's Chief Instructor, on a danger-fraught pilgrimage to the Tung Yueh Temple. From his first step, there are deceits, double crosses, and dirty tricks as a corrupt minister plots to ruin him and kidnap his wife. Only a lovable, capable monk played by the noted character actor Fan Mei-sheng can help him take vengeance in this exciting, satisfying chase thriller.
