1974 ‘洪拳與詠春’ Directed by Chang Cheh
After the destruction of the Shaolin Temple, the Chings are in control and send their best students to wipe out all of the remaining Shaolin practioners. They almost succeed, but two students escape. They learn various Kung Fu styles from different teachers to combat the Ching's two kung fu fighters.
Hong quan yu yong chun, As Artes Marciais de Shaolin - 1974, 홍권여영춘 (1974) (洪拳與詠春)
Hong Kong
Hong Kong
No man is invicible.
-Master Lin Zan Tin
Legendary director Chang Cheh made close to 100 films for Shaw Brothers Studios and is without a doubt it's most prolific director. With that many films though there's a lot of gems that get lost between his masterpieces and mega cult hits. Especially the pre-Venom Mob films.
This is such a gem. It's IMDb page doesn't even have a proper synopsis and there's not a Wikipedia entry to be found and yet it is one of the most entertaining Chang Cheh films I've ever seen. Great action, drama, story and performances.
On the surface this looks like your old Kung Fu training-to-avenge film, but it's so much more. First up the film…
CHANG CHEH FILMOGRAPHY #41/90
SHAOLIN CYCLE #3/7
This is two full martial arts films in one. Not like an anthology style, but rather the way the story plays out you get two full martial art movie arcs - two beginnings, two intense training sequences, and yes even two finales. I won't give away the twist that allows all this to happen (other reviews do, tho, so be warned!), but needless to say, this is a very entertaining flick for the martial arts addicts out there.
Part of Chang Cheh's "Shaolin Cycle", unlike the previous two (HEROES TWO and MEN FROM THE MONASTERY) this one is stand alone, taking place long after the events of the first two films. But the…
On the Shaolin timescale this takes place sometime in the third generation after the destruction of the Temple, which I guess would make it contemporary with the Wong Fei-hung stories. Fu Sheng and his pals are students at a Shaolin kung fu school in Canton who fight with a rival Manchurian school. The Manchus bring in a couple of ringers with apparently unbeatable skills to trash their joint and kill some heroes (Lau Kar-wing is the first one to die, victim of a sucker halberd to the gut). Retreating to a hiding spot, their aged master sends a pair out to learn new skills from more advanced masters (one of the two is Gordon Liu). There's a long training sequence,…
Probably among Chang Cheh's most underrated films, notable for its tighter focus on the nature and discipline of martial arts training--emphasized to a greater extent in the Shaolin Cycle's concluding title, SHAOLIN TEMPLE--than the action sequences themselves. (Tarantino fans will no doubt pull a Rick Dalton meme when they notice a homage from KILL BILL: VOLUME 2 pulled directly from one of this film's training sequences.) SHAOLIN MARTIAL ARTS isn't as efficient or as brute in its pacing compared to some of Chang's more noteworthy films--There is a bit of dead air to fill with some inconsequential but minor romantic subplots--and this cycle's key star, Alexander Fu Sheng, is in one of his least charismatic roles, but the core thematic…
How to be a hero? In Hollywood, it takes a montage. In China, it takes extended training sequences. Plural. In this edition of the Shaolin Cycle, it takes a struggle. It takes failure. To learn a special new technique to defeat the bad guys and protect the 'princesses', it'll take determination and dedication to the craft of martial arts. It's inspiring to see a hero become great, rather than be invincible from the get-go. As always, with Shaw Bros, the process is thoroughly entertaining. Skills learned: Groot-Claw ripping bark from trees and Close-Quarter Coffin Punch (perhaps inspiring Tarantino's Kill Bill).
Long-winded Shaw brothers martial arts film, with the typical "my kung fu is better than yours so I'll kill your clan until you get better kung fu" plot.
The Manchurians and the Han feud over a small matter, that leads to blood shed. The Manchurians bring in two master fighters, one who has a retractable penis technique and another whose stomach can absorb and deal pain in equal amounts. They set about defeating and murduring many of the Han in small skirmishes. Two dopey brothers then go into the forest to train in the hope of becoming powerful enough to defeat their enemy.
As with many of the other Shaw brothers movies it features a large cast, all with similar…
Looooong winded, but ultimately interesting. The first hour felt like a whole film. Then realizing it's only half over I was a little deflated. You get twice the normal training sequences, which is an interesting structure, but not interesting enough to be worthy of so much runtime. Also the "comedy" interludes with the two giggling girls was a waste. Neither funny or captivating.
Luckily the final fight sequences do redeem a bit. I still don't think they are among the top end, but mostly worth the wait. There's talent throughout and good hand to hand combat. There are certainly many worse fu-films.
My life will not be complete until I learn to mix the tiger and stork style in order to defeat my rivals.
Another Chang Cheh winner.
"Go, let the Qing dogs know that Shaolin disciples would rather die than yield!"
At the core of many martial arts lies the betterment of the body and the application of studied technique. Shaolin Martial Arts takes this devotion to the extreme, a single dismissive comment about a rival clan's capabilities triggering an immediate blood feud, resulting in the overwhelming annihilation of all Shaolin schools.
Through this Cheh illustrates the vast consequences of mastery, showcasing the unlocked capabilities of synchronised mind, body and spirit. An absurd path of converting your stomach to steel or being able to retract your penis, like a turtle retreating into a shell (I'm honestly not sure if I truly comprehended that technique).
But also the…
A hidden gem amongst gems from master director Chang Cheh! A slight provocation at a festival pits two martial arts schools against each other. The Shaolin and the Manchus. Manchus kick their asses pretty regularly until it's down to just the two last Shaolin guys to set things right. Really good presenting how different styles defeat one another. Tarantino must have watched this one a lot. There's a technique called Steel Armor that will blow your mind. It involves the ball area. What is it about this movies and the strength of the balls? Not kidding! Netflix has me spoiled with this batch of Shaw Brothers flicks.
VHS rewatch (Made In Hong Kong widescreen release, English dubbed).
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Chang Cheh’s Shaolin cycle of films gets blessed with a premium effort in the form of Shaolin Martial Arts. Alexander Fu Sheng and Chi Kuan-Chun are back after Men From The Monastery but playing different characters in a new conflict with the Qing oppressors of a rival martial arts school. The running time may seem daunting for what is really a simple setup but Chang Cheh argues well that we should stick around. The film has a layer of thoroughness, professionalism and really the opening ceremony where opposing schools are present for a festival ceremony that ends in bloodshed is really quite shocking. What's brewing under the surface ultimately…
Chang Cheh’s Shaolin cycle of films gets blessed with a premium effort in the form of Shaolin Martial Arts. Alexander Fu Sheng and Chi Kuan-Chun are back after Men From The Monastery but playing different characters in a new conflict with the Qing oppressors of a rival martial arts school. The running time may seem daunting for what is really a simple setup but Chang Cheh argues well that we should stick around. The film has a layer of thoroughness, professionalism and really the opening ceremony where opposing schools are present for a festival ceremony that ends in bloodshed is really quite shocking. What's brewing under the surface ultimately can't be set aside out of respect for tradition and soon…
