After making superstars of Jimmy Wang Yu, Ti Lung, David Chiang, Chen Kuan-tai, and others, esteemed martial arts movie master Chang Cheh decided it was time to cement the stardom of soon-to-be international favorite Alexander Fu Sheng. This film - following the director's SHAOLIN MARTIAL ARTS, FIVE SHAOLIN MASTERS, and DISCIPLES OF SHAOLIN - was clearly Fu's showcase. Rather than sharing the screen, as he had in the previous Shaolin trio, here he was clearly the sole hero, and took full advantage of that fact. He gives both a great dramatic and martial arts performance as an honorable carriage driver who finds love and death when he comes to the rescue of a girl being harassed by particularly venal, homicidal punks. This fight-filled thriller was made even more special by its introduction of the unusual 'Tsai' 'Li' 'Fu' kung-fu style - for which it had its own separate off-stage instructor (Yen Yat liang).
Alexander Fu Sheng, Jenny Tsang, Wang Lung-wei, Liang Chia-jen
Island East Police Station headed by Madam Lui is known for its “Cop Shop Babes” as all the officers there are female. Two police officers, Beer and Satay, apply for an internal transfer to this station in order to approach the girls. It is at this time that the police receives a bomb threat – can they resolve the case?
The Empress Dowager has arranged young available women for Emperor Kangxi‘s selection. Kangxi is uninterested and becomes bored of the process. He decides to travel incognito as a businessman around the country where he meets Nalan Qiong Yao who disguises herself as a man to avoid a possible arranged marriage with the Emperor…
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.
Lo Wei's reputation was cemented by his being credited as director on both Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan's first major starring roles. But before The Big Boss and New Fist Of Fury, Lo Wei was acting, writing, and directing at Shaw Studios. This, however, was his very last Shaw Brothers film - the fabulous tale of a frostbitten swordswoman out to get her parents' murderers. An audience can only marvel at Li Ching's talent as she struggles to cure her hypothermia in time for the final "snow-down."
Li Ching, Yueh Hua, Chang Chung, Tien Feng, Chiao Chiao, Ku Feng
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.
Cheng Pei-pei plays Hsiao-yun, a young singer forced to choose between love and her ultimate career. After filling in for another singer at the eleventh hour, Hsiao-yun becomes an overnight sensation. However, with success comes a heavy price and her relationship with a pianist Li Yen-nan (Peter Chen Ho) suffers. As if that is not enough, she must also deal with the unwanted affections from an influential backer Tu Pang-chieh of her show...
In 1975, Ho Meng-hua, master of the "esoteric weapon" kung-fu thriller, started an international sensation with The Flying Guillotine. But while he went on to direct such further "crazy cutlery" hits as The Dragon Missile, popular demand insisted upon a sequel to the original decapitator-on-a-chain. So, first, they got a script by a trio of writers, featuring a new, improved "Ring-Chain Flying Guillotine" and the only weapon that can stop it, the "Toothed Wheel". Next they matched Cheng Kang, the director of their popular true crime thriller The Criminals, with Hua Shan, the director of their superheroes Super Inframan, to double-team the project. Then they cast some of the best martial arts actors in their repertory - all ably choreographed by the often unsung, but universally respected Tang Chia. Finally they filmed Ti Lung as a fugitive from the emperor’s cruelty, against the whole F.G. gang in a blade-on-blade battle to the headless death!
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.
Chi will inherit his dying grandfather’s fortune with one condition – he has to be married in a month, otherwise the money goes to his uncle, Robert. Chi falls in love with Siu Siu, but Robert intends to stop them by sending Moraine to seduce Chi. When Moraine decides to marry Chi for money, Robert stops her and reveals their plot.
Monk Tang San Zang, Monkey, Pigsy and Sha Wu Jing find themselves in Womanland, where women give birth to baby girls by drinking the magical spring water.
The Lady Hermit is hiding for years, plotting revenge after she has been defeated by the sinister Black Knight. Shaolin Handlock is a lethal go-getter who begs Lady Hermit to teach her, hoping to slay the demon herself. The Black Knight's days are numbered as the Lady Hermit and her protege perfect the technique to take him down.
This is an epic tale set during the time of the Sino-Japanese war. A painter Yu saves a young girl, Lotus, who is being sold to a brothel. They fall in love, get married and settled in to a peaceful life. However, their life is soon shattered by the Japanese invasion and the brutal regime that follows.
One great movie deserves another, and this is one of those rare sequels that many feel is superior to the original. The audience certainly seemed to think so, making this one of Shaw Studio's highest grossing movies ever. And why not? Ti Lung is back as Li Chin Huan, the renowned, charming, elegant, majestic, and yes, sentimental swordsman who must face the Chief of the Money Clan and his legion of assassins for the fate of the "Martial Arts World".
