The Invincible Fist is one of Cheh’s more artfully constructed efforts, one that relies on a surprisingly low number of sets as well as an impressively high number of quiet moments that build tension with patience and subtlety.
Thinking about the brand of comedy championed in older martial arts pictures causes one to realize that more often then not, slapstick and extremely obvious tomfoolery is preferred over anything with a grain of subtlety. If such a style is not the viewer’s cup of tea, then they best stay away from most of the Shaw films that were either outright comedies or dabbled in lighthearted fair in the midst of their action epics.
The Wandering Swordsman Written by Ni Kuang Directed by Chang Cheh Hong Kong, 1970 A hero need not be impervious to error. The most noble of heroes can in fact lack gravitas because they are too clean cut, too perfect. A character that can be led astray and commit errors in judgement will often make …
Every so often one watches a film that simply must be accepted on its own terms if said viewer is to gain anything out of the experience. It has become all too facile to criticize a film for not being what the viewer wished it had been as opposed to analyzing what it is aspiring to and how.
Five Deadly Venoms Written by Chang Cheh Directed by Chang Cheh Hong Kong, 1978 Despite what great films have been reviewed in the column, few have, thus far, been privileged with a gift that may be only measured with time: contemporary cultural relevancy. By contemporary cultural relevancy it is meant that a given film continues …
Dead End Directed by Chang Cheh Written by Chiu Kang Chien Hong Kong, 1969 The name Chang Cheh should be recognizable to any self ascribed Shaw Brothers fan. The man was a true legend within the studio system, directing movies at such a rapid rate that even Woody Allen would blush. With a whopping total …
I’ve been lucky enough to attend the Fantasia film Festival since the very first year and make no mistake about it, Fantasia has always been a highlight of every summer since. This year is no exception. With another impressive and diverse line-up, any movie crazed die hard genre fans such as myself are left with …
Golden Swallow (also known as The Girl With the Thunderbolt Kick) Directed by Chang Cheh Written by Hang Cheh and Tu Yun Chih Hong Kong, 1968 Who has never watched a film a second, third or even fourth time and only then come to understand some of its virtues which upon initial viewing remained hidden …
The Boxer from Shantung Directed by Chang Cheh and Pao Hsueh Lieh Written by Chang Cheh and Ni Kuang Hong Kong, 1972 Anyone who has seen just a few Shaw martial arts films has noticed a trend: all of the stories transpire centuries ago, during the era of the many Chinese dynasties. The beautiful costumes, …
The One Armed Swordsman Directed by Chang Cheh Written by Chang Cheh and Kuang Ni Hong Kong, 1967 One knows exactly when it has happened. Any movie aficionado is familiar with that odd feeling which takes over when one has watched a film that manages to overcome its flaws and provide some solid entertainment despite …
All Men Are Brothers Directed by Chang Cheh Written by Chang Cheh and Kuang Ni Hong Kong, 1975 In 1972, The Water Margin exploded onto the Hong Kong cinema scene, courtesy of acclaimed director Chang Cheh, an eclectic cast and impressive production values that clearly upped the ante in comparison to most Shaw films which …
The Water Margin Directed by Chang Cheh and Wu Ma Screenplay by Chang Cheh and Ni Kuang Hong Kong, 1972 However many qualities may be admired about the martial arts classics from the late 60s and early 70s, their scale is not one that frequently produces feelings of awe from within the viewer. In …
Blood Brothers Directed by Chang Cheh 1973, Hong Kong In the vast landscape of films that came out of this most famous of Hong Kong studios, far and few between are those which can be remembered for concentrating their efforts as much if not more so on developing a story which could stand on its …