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 …
Time to shake things up a bit for the Shaw Brothers Saturday column. In addition to offering readers another review this week (The Mighty One), the column feels like it has run long enough and witnessed enough bloodshed to take a step back and reminisce on some of the more fondly remembered films reviewed since …
The Mighty One Written by Tyrone Hsu Tien-Yung Directed by Joseph Kuo Nan-Hong Hong Kong, 1971 For as fast and furiously as Shaw Brothers studio churned out its action films and made stars of previously unknown actors, the number of names people recognize heavily favour the male performers. There were certainly women who became famous …
The Magnificent Swordsman Written by Ko Jui-Fen Directed by Griffin Yueh Feng and Ching Gong Hong Kong, 1968 At what point should movie watchers applaud a film which borrows heavily from other familiar sources for the quality of the filmmaking and when is it too apparent that said film is incapable of overcoming the fatal …
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. …
Killers Five (also known as Killers 5) Directed by Ching Gong Written by Sung Hoi-Leng Ching Gong Hong Kong, 1969 The easiest thing to highlight when reviewing these Shaw Brothers films is the action. Then might come the recognizable names of the actors who typically play their parts with the requisite gusto. Costumes, weapons …
One of the strengths of the film is that both men are right and both men are wrong. Lu’s vision of the law stripped of compassion is a law that is also vulnerable to corruption as judges use the letter of the law to line their pockets rather than represent justice. Liu’s belief that he can literally remake himself as a better man ignores the addictive nature of violence. (When Liu begins to fight the robbers, he can’t stop himself from killing them – instead of subduing them – any more than a drunk can have one shot from a bottle and stop there.)
The Man with the Iron Fists Directed by RZA Written by RZA and Eli Roth U.S.A., 2012 The RZA’s directorial debut, The Man with the Iron Fists, is not a Shaw Brothers picture. It was released by Universal Studios, although its inclusion in the column feels right for reasons that shall be discussed in the …
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 …
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 …
Asia-Pol Directed by Matsuo Akinori Written by Gamasaki Twao Hong Kong/Japan, 1967 Historically, not many non-Chinese directors had the privilege of working within the Shaw Brothers studio system. Unlike with major American studios, where American, British, Canadian and directors from elsewhere in the world can try to make a splash, Shaw Brothers was very much …
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 …
Vengeance is a Golden Blade Directed by Ho Meng-Hua Written by Ho Meng-Hua and Yun Chich Tu Hong Kong, 1969 Ah, the McGuffin, the prized object that each and every character in a film is influenced by, seeks out but which in the end bears no relation to the heart of a story. The story …
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 Twelve Gold Medallions Directed by Ching Gong Written by Ching Gong Hong Kong, 1970 It would be a bit of a stretch to argue that the Shaw Brothers studio was an excellent venue for actors for flex their thespian muscles to the fullest extent. Naturally, the emphasis in these movies is put on action, …
Lady of Steel Directed by Ho Meng Hua Written by Liang Yen Hong Kong, 1970 Movies whose stories are set within the parameters of grand scale wars can tell one of two types of stories. Either the film speaks to the grandiose nature of the conflict, with the themes and ideologies concerned with the overall …
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 Thundering Sword Directed by Chiang Hung Hsu Written by Chiang Shen Hong Kong, 1967 Heroes behaving virtuously and villains relishing in evildoing are the archetypical behaviours of characters which make up action adventure films. This is the easiest route to take for a filmmaker, but with said ease comes the potential for great effectiveness …
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 …
The Flying Guillotine Directed by Ho Meng-hua Hong Kong, 1975 Despite all the genuine thrills Shaw Brothers films can produce, it is quite apparent that the studio always had half a foot planted firmly in ‘camp.’ Oftentimes, specific elements elevate the movies from being farcical. Mesmerizing action and a charming ensemble cast, such as in …