When Shaw Studio decided to produce an epic about the famous Italian explorer Marco Polo and his meeting with Mongolian emperor Kublai Khan, they turned to one of their most famous and respected directors. Chang Cheh, who had already proven himself by making such sweeping sagas as ALL MEN ARE BROTHERS, co-wrote this adventure of four Han blood brothers and their quest to avenge their comrade's killing at the hands of three sadistic Mongol warriors. He then surrounded famed Caucasian actor Richard Harrison (as Marco Polo) with the best the Shaw Brothers kung-fu film units had to offer, including future lead "Venom" Kuo Chue, "Master Killer" Gordon Liu Chia-hui, and "Thundering Mantis" Liang Chia-jen. The result is a splendid historical tale as well as a superlative martial arts thriller.
The crazy bumpkin returns in a sequel for more bittersweet laughs and heart-wrenching misfortune, as his true love becomes the wife of an abusive husband and his uncle further exploits his naïve nature.
After her father's murder at the hands of the Golden Knight organization, swords-women Yu Fei-hsia (Lily Ho Li Li) is accused of killing clan members in vengeance. To prove her innocence, Yu Fei-hsia attempts to track down the real killer.
Master of the "brotherhood" films, award winning director Chang Cheh has always had a good eye for martial art talent and in INVINCIBLE SHAOLIN he re-introduces what was to become known as the THE FIVE VENOMS to the world of heroic bloodshed. Chang intelligently weaves a mythical tale of treachery centered around the historic attempts of the Ching Dynasty trying to destroy the Shaolin Monasteries. It's a story of misunderstanding, revenge and doomed heroes who finally realize their error in judgment through the sanctity of their martial arts. The various fighting styles used are choreographed with such amazing precision and insanity, that it's hard to believe that all this psychotic stylish action was shot and made up as they went along. It's marvelous to behold.
Kwan leads a double life as a waitress and as an infamous outlaw, The Black Butterfly. When she steals a cache of gold from the Five Devils Rock bandits, she soon has the bandits, and the government, on her tail.
This is Jenny Hu's stunning debut as a struggling singer who tries to keep her career and marriage intact. This movie also includes seven memorable hit songs.
Peter Chen Ho, Paul Chang Chung, Jenny Hu, Lily Ho
This "bloody good" film is generally considered the second last 'Venoms' film... and what a penultimate adventure it is! Kuo Chue takes on an amazing dual role that comes along with complications and kung-fu that are wonderful to watch. Judging by exceptional 'Venom' film standards, Ode To Gallantry stands out.
Starring the stunning, teenage heartthrob Pat Ting Hung, The Butterfly Chalice marks the important directing debut of the kung-fu film genre's most principle figure Chang Cheh, as he burst the martial arts and swordplay movie doors wide open, announcing the beginning of the end for the Cantonese musicals.
Sun Chung, an established comedy, romance, and modern crime filmmaker, now breathes mortality into this tale of the 100 Poison Clique's obsessive ambition to destroy all rivals. This is one spectacular martial arts viewing like never before. Kung-fu superstar David Chiang and prominent choreographer Tang Chia lead the cast in a bloody clan clash centered on the trial of an admitted mass murderer and serial rapist.
Hailed as “one of the most hilarious comedies among the Mandarin productions in recent years”, this smart action comedy has Tien Ni as a gorgeous pickpocket who attracts troubles as easily as men, and newcomer Liu Lu-hua in his screen debut. Filled with tongue-in-cheek humor in a zany plot where cops and robbers work together to make a better Hong Kong, you can ensure non-stop fun in this sexy and entertaining film.
"Without a doubt," it was written in the seminal Study Of The Swordplay Film, "Hsu Cheng-hung is one of the key figures in the Mandarin new style." And this is both one of his key films and one of his last for Shaw Brothers. The lovely Ching Li and handsome Chang I star as star-and-sword-crossed comrades who take on the vicious Black Tigers gang in a quest for hidden wealth. There’s action galore, until the final, fiery fight in a temple of treasure.
Ching Li, Chang I, Shu Pei-pei, Lin Ching, Tien Feng
This is the sequel to The Mad Monk, which was made in 1977 by director Li Han-hsiang and starring Yeh Feng. Striking again alongside The Mad Monk (Yeh Feng) is equally legendary Lu Tung-pin (Hua Lun), the immortal scholar-turned-genie. The duo wreck havoc as they vie with one another be it mirth, magic, women or weapons!
Ma Wing Jing and his brother arrive in Shanghai to make their fortune. Befriending a powerful mobster Tam, Ma is given his nightclub when he saves Tam’s life. Ma’s fortune rises but he must overcome the corruption and violence to survive.
Takeshi Kaneshiro, Yuen Biao, Husan Jessica Hester, Yuan Te
Pan Lei, winner the China Literary Award for three consecutive years, wrote and directed this film about the lives and loves of a fishing village. It starred the glorious Cheng Pei-pei in her first film as a woman (she had debuted in a man’s role), and her much-lauded performance won her the prestigious Golden Accolade Award from the International Association Of Independent Producers a first for any Asian woman.
