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.
Writer-director Jeng Cheong-Woh was the instigator for one of the most important films to have ever been produced by the Shaw Brothers studio, Five Fingers of Death (also known as King Boxer). Not only is said film widely considered to be among the very best kung fu pictures ever made, it played a pivotal role for the unparalleled popularity of martial arts films in the United States since the 1970s.
The Lady Hermit Written by Yip Yat-Fong Directed Ho Meng-hua Hong Kong, 1971 ‘Always two there are. A master and an apprentice.’ Such words replete of knowledge are not uttered by anyone in director Ho Meng-hua’s The Lady Hermit but rather by the greatest Jedi master who ever lived, Yoda (Frank Oz), in 1999 oft …
What would life be like if, rather than face problems head on with courage, honour and a sense of duty, people opted out of showing an inkling of gut and resorted to magical tricks to sway fate in their favour? For one, laziness would settle in rather quickly, but so would be lack of acceptance towards fate and the differences that make everyone unique. Someone disagrees with a course of action? Put a spell on his or her mind.
King Cat Written by Ting Shan-Hsi Directed by Hsu Tseng-Hung Hong Kong, 1967 Honour can be a tremendously important element between great warriors of high ranking. While in today’s military culture it would appear unthinkable for two officers to challenge one another to a duel to settle personal matters, such was not always the case. …
Fists of the White Lotus (aka: Clan of the White Lotus) Directed by Lo Lieh Written by Tien Huang Hong Kong, 1980 *This week’s film was recently viewed at the 2012 Fantasia International Film Festival on a 35mm print, hence its inclusion in both the Fantasia 2012 and Shaw Brothers Saturdays columns. The old, evil …
Executioners Fom Shaolin Directed by Liu Chia-Liang Written by Ni Kuang Hong Kong, 1976 The Shaw Brothers column is back after practically a one month absence! To get back on track in style, this week we take a look at a slightly earlier effort from one of the all-time greats, Liu Chia-liang, who is most …
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 Web of Death Directed by Chor Yuen Written by Ni Kuang Hong Kong, 1976 Is there value in creating a remake? The safe answer is a resounding no given how, unfortunately, too many of them fail to live up to expectations. In fact, the frequency with which remakes disappoint is high enough that said …
The Sword and the Lute Directed by Hsu Tseng-Hung Written by San Kong Hong Kong, 1967 After Temple of the Red Lotus and The Twin Swords both emerged onto the Hong Kong cinema scene in 1965, showcasing several brand new, soon to be insanely popular actors moulded by Shaw Brothers studios, among them Lo Lieh, …
Duel for Gold Directed by Chor Yuen Written by Ni Kuang Hong Kong, 1971 A heist film presents a host of wonderful potentialities to engage a viewer. There is the attraction of a sizable bounty, the disparate individuals who contest for the prize, the moral ambiguity in cheering on the protagonists who seek to circumvent …
The Twin Swords Directed by Hsu Tseng-Hung Script by San Kong Hong Kong, 1965 Few would debate that the single defining decade in the all too short history of the Shaw Brothers studio was the 1970s. The staggering amount influential films produced and released in that decade alone, films which made uncompromising impact upon release …
Human Lanterns Directed by Sun Chung Written by Kuang Ni and Sun Chung Hong Kong, 1982 There is an exciting element of risk whenever creative minds willfully choose to go against the grain. Directors, writers and actors, when feeling adventurous, can attempt to defy the expectations by involving themselves in a picture that few would …