Some of the Shaw Brother best fake beards showcased in this one. A Hitchcockian mystery masquerading as a trashy Kung Fu flick. When it comes to Kung Fu styles I understand Snake, Scorpion, Centipede, and MAYBE Toad style.
But tell me how Lizard style is going to do anything? You can stand on a wall? Great.

"That's a cool-ass vest." - RZA

The packed screening with an enthusiastic audience, a perfect 35mm print and a Q&A with RZA afterward was probably the most ideal way to see my first Shaw Brothers movie, so perhaps I'm overrating it a little. But I was sufficiently drawn in by the characters and the fighting to forgive some of the slower or drier bits. It helps that all the characters delightful cartoons with fighting styles to match (Toad acts like he's invincible because, well, he is literally invincible) and the fights, while taking up less of the running time than I expected, are meaty and extremely fun. The most surprising element was the running theme of political corruption, but mostly I just enjoyed the colorful fights and fun, often shirtless characters.

This is firmly in the "it was really awesome at the time" category. Certainly a solid Kung fu picture, but after having seen what would follow soon after, it's hard to get too excited about Five Venoms. It helped to imagine that I was watching this in a gigantic 42nd street movie palace where every streak of blood stretched for 6 feet.

Good story, but not as much action as I expected

A kung-fu classic that all kung-fu fans need to see.

i need to see more trashy kung-fu flicks these are right up my alley

This film really breaks from any generic expectations. On the plus side it features charming vibrant production design, suitably dramatic acting and a decent core concept. My problem with the film was its disinterest in satisfying the expectations set up by its opening 20 minutes. We’re introduced to a young skilled fighter who will have to pursue a series of 5 expert martial artists over the course of the film each with their own unique and thrilling fighting styles. Our hero journeys to the film’s central location to begin his quest and from then on he is largely absent from the story, as is any fighting until a strong climactic scene. I didn’t feel the dialogue or plotting were strong enough for a suspense thriller and therefore found myself often bored. The film is not without some entertaining scenes but it is overall a confusing mess.

Classic Kung Fu action with a decent plot and some bonkers Martial Arts.

A good plot idea.

A good time with a plot that holds interest. Well-crafted fight scenes make give the film a little extra punch along the way.

too much chatting, not enough twatting