REVIEW #003: COME DRINK WITH ME (1966)

REVIEW #003: 

COME DRINK WITH ME (1966)

October 1965 saw the first release of Shaw Brothers’ new genre of movies "wuxia" : TEMPLE OF THE RED LOTUS and in December of the same year a sequel followed: THE TWIN SWORDS. It would not be until the spring of 1966 that Sir Run Run Shaw would produce the next Shaw Brothers’ wuxia movie: COME DRINK WITH ME.

Released on April 7^th, 1966, COME DRINK WITH ME is an adaptation of a Beijing Opera called The Drunken Beggar. In fact, the Chinese translation of the actual title of this movie is Da Zui Xia or Big Drunken Hero. It’s director, King Hu Chin-Chuan also co-wrote the screenplay with newcomer Ting Shan-Hsi (who some sources say also co-directed the film). Han Ying-Chieh served as action director and played a small role in the film. This, Shaw Brother’s third wuxia film would become so well known that it is often mistaken as their first. We shall see why the film is a bona fide classic and is so well loved. Let’s get busy!

A highly skilled and well-organized group of bandits have suffered a defeat at the hands of the provincial governor’s troops, who capture the bandit’s leader and sentence him to death. The remaining bandits kidnap the governor’s son with the intent to trade the governor’s son for the return of their leader and write a petition outlining this request along with a deadline of five days. The governor’s military commander, who also happens to be his daughter, intercepts the petition and offers the bandits another option: release her older brother and surrender in exchange for leniency from the governor –or die!

In the midst of this turmoil is a drunken beggar and a Buddhist abbot fighting over the leadership of a clan whose grand master has died. As they each choose opposing sides, this story has just gotten even more interesting, thus a classic is born!  

Yueh Hua as Fan Ta Pei aka Drunken Hero

Yuen Chi-Hing as Abbot Liao Kung

CAST REPORT:

the good: Cheng Pei Pei as Commander Chang aka Golden Swallow. Yueh Hua as Fan Ta Pei aka Drunken Hero (Drunken Cat) 

the bad: Chen Hung-Lieh as Jade-Faced Tiger. Lee Wan-Chung as Smiling Tiger Tsu Kan. Yueng Chi-Hing as Abbot Liao Kung.

 HONORABLE MENTION: Cheng Pei Pei screen presence is absolutely fascinating to behold. A true movie star!

Simon Yuen Siu-Tin

SPOTTED: Simon Yuen Siu-Tin seasoned action director and actor in independent films including Wong Fei Hung films and destined to become best known in the United States as Sam Seed, the Drunken Master.  His career spanned 325 films and 30 years (1949 to 1979) according to Hong Kong Movie Database.

Han Ying-Chieh  ACTION DIRECTOR

FIGHT TIME: All right, time for my favorite part of the movie review: the fights! Han Ying-Chieh is the fight choreographer for COME DRINK WITH ME (1966) and I counted six (6) major fight scenes pretty much evenly distributed throughout the film. However, they are not all created equal. The first fight scene is the raid on the prisoner’s procession where they kidnap the governor’s son. This fight is brutal, cruel and “economically” shows the viciousness of this group of bandits. 

Golden Swallow's "game face"!

Golden Swallow has three major fight scenes and they are masterpieces of effective double dagger combat against multiple opponents. Drunken Hero Fan Ta Pei has two major fight scenes that work when his martial arts are displayed at the level of master, however when the film tries to depict grand master level skills, the film technology of 1966 just doesn’t do it justice but it is both understandable and forgivable. 

HONORABLE MENTION: Han Ying-Chieh has a small role as a henchman but is the action director of record for COME DRINK WITH ME (1966). However, it seems to me the director King Hu Chin-Chuan gets all the credit for how great the movie is but the fight choreography is always mentioned in the reviews of this undisputed classic. I think it should be a bit more balanced but it is just my opinion. 

RECOMMENDATION: “Mama told me there’d be days like this…” There will be movies such as this that are undisputed classics and as such no recommendations are necessary. Whether you are a collector or casual viewer of films, COME DRINK WITH ME (1966) is a "must see" and "must have". 'Nuff said!

If you liked this review please comment on the blog, become a follower of the blog, join me on my Facebook account by sending me a message first and then a friend request so I know who I am friending (  https://www.facebook.com/Michael529P   ) and like my Facebook page: SHAW Brothers Kung Fu Movies 1965-1986. I thank you and would appreciate it very much!

NEXT UP: KNIGHT OF KNIGHTS (1966)

REVIEW #001: TEMPLE OF THE RED LOTUS (1965)

REVIEW #001: TEMPLE OF THE RED LOTUS (1965)

Released on October 1^st, 1965, TEMPLE OF THE RED LOTUS (1965) was produced by Sir Run Run Shaw and was the first movie that showcased wuxia themes and action without being encased in Chinese Opera. The script was written by San Kong based on a series of wuxia stories written by Ping Jiang Bu Xiao Sheng called Jiang Hu Qi Xia Chuan (Shang Xia). Unfortunately not much else is available on the author or his series in English. The movie adaptation was directed by Hsu Tseng-Hung, a long time cinematographer, TEMPLE OF THE RED LOTUS (1965) was the first time Mr. Hsu directed a movie! There is no action director or choreographer credited for this movie. Let’s get busy!

JIMMY WANG YU as Gui Xiao Wu

Central to the story of TEMPLE OF THE RED LOTUS (1965) is the Jin (Gan) family Castle located in Dragon Valley and the “knights” of Jin Family that are known for bringing justice to others in the Jiang Hu even if it means challenging other martial artists. A young warrior (Gui Xiao Wu) with a military background has been betrothed to the Jin family and on his way to reunite with his bride-to-be stumbles upon an escort caravan being attacked by masked armed warriors. 

Gui Xiao Wu decides to get involved and defend the escort caravan. He is injured and knocked unconscious for his trouble by the masked attackers. When he wakes up, he discovers the great swordswoman; the Scarlet Maiden has treated his wound and they become acquainted. 

The Scarlet Maid seems very concerned with Gui Xiao Wu and advises him to stay focused on training to revenge his parents and go to Jin Castle to improve his kung fu. She tells him how to get to Dragon Valley and Jin Castle and sends him on his way. After Gui Xiao Wu gets to Jin Castle, in the middle of the night, the monks of the Temple of the Red Lotus attack Jin Castle.  After the battle, Gui Xiao Wu believes he knows the identity of the masked robbers, --the very family he is to be wed into! What is he going to do, now?!

IVY LING PO as The Scarlet Maiden

CAST REPORT: Sir Run Run Shaw assembled an all-star cast of some of the greatest actors Shaw Brother Studios had to offer!

the good: Introducing: Jimmy Wang Yu as Gui Xiao Wu. Introducing: Lo Lieh as Du Zhuang. Chin Ping as Jin Lian Zhu. Guest starring Ivy Ling Po as The Scarlet Maiden. Li Ming as Great-grand Madame Jin. Tien Feng as Master Dragon Jin. Lin Jing as Madame Jin (Lian Zhu’s mom). Petrina Fung Bo Bo as Jin Xiao Ling. 

Petrina Fung bo Bo as Jin Xiao Ling

The bad: Introducing: Chow Lung-Cheung as Monk Zhi Bao. Fung Ngai as Red Lotus Chief Fa Fu. Wong Ching-Ho as Red Lotus Chief Yan Zong. Lee Wam-Chung as Red Lotus Chief Zhang Yuan. Chen Hung-Lieh as Monk Zhi Yuan. Wu Ma as Monk Zhi Lai. 

SPOTTED!: Tang Chia, Liu Chia-Liang, and Yuen Wo-Ping are listed by Hong Kong Movie Database as cast members in the movie as Red Lotus members. While I did spot Tang Chia and Liu Chia-Liang, I was unable to spot Yuen Wo-Ping.  

Tang Chia

Liu Chia-Liang corner left

FIGHT TIME: TEMPLE OF THE RED LOTUS (1965) has no action director credited. I counted five (5) fight scenes including the big finale at The White Dove Convent. There is almost no empty-handed combat. All combatants excel in throwing projectiles but it is particularly a specialty of the Jin Family. The fights at Jin Castle are the main battles of the movie. The Yuan-Yang Sword technique is a featured sword style that is very powerful but the young couple has yet to master it. 

Now, let's talk about the kung fu, because, let's face it, it is why I started watching these movies and got hooked on Shaw Brothers in the first place. I remember in the 1980's when wushu in America first became a big thing and there was a lot of discussion on what was the difference was between "kung fu" and "wushu" techniques. Well, as I am currently watching "The Journey of Flower" a Chinese drama from Chinese television on Youtube, the answer would be to watch any pair of fights one from " The Journey of Flower" and one from "Temple of The Red Lotus" and it would be obvious as to what the difference was, although to express it in words still might prove challenging. The words that came to mind as I watch the fights in Temple of The Red Lotus were "raw" and "realistic". The techniques displayed in Temple of The Red Lotus were also "to the point" and very practical. I really appreciated that even though I also like the fancy stuff as well. There is very little flailing and waving arms and weapons about pointlessly. The martial arts here are definitely worth looking at and every so once in a while someone throws in a nice stance. As far as the amount of action, I am going to say that five fight scenes is a fair amount of action and will use five battles as the standard by which to judge the amount of action in future movies. 

HONORABLE MENTION: Jimmy Wang Yu shows off his athleticism and seems skilled in martial arts. (Lo Lieh, not so much.) Chin Ping also does a good job when performing her stunts although she is still occasionally stunt doubled. The casting here is very balanced between male and female.

a technique from the Yuan Yang Sword Style

The Scarlet Maiden watches over them

RECOMMENDATION: TEMPLE OF THE RED LOTUS (1965) is a great adaptation than makes me want to read the novel and learn more about The Scarlet Maiden and her previous adventures. But, as I said earlier, the novels are not available in English. These are all interesting characters and in addition to being a historical collector’s item, I recommend this movie because the story and action are worth-while, for any viewers of martial arts movies. I honestly did not think I would enjoy this movie because of its age. If the rest of the movies are this good then I can be very excited about all the work ahead of me. See you next time!

If you liked this review please comment on the blog, become a follower of the blog, join me on my Facebook account by sending me a message first and then a friend request so I know who I am friending (  https://www.facebook.com/Michael529P   ) and like my Facebook page: SHAW Brothers Kung Fu Movies 1965-1986. I thank you and would appreciate it very much!

NEXT UP: THE TWIN SWORDS (1965)

THE WINGED TIGER (1970)

THE WINGED TIGER (1970)

THE WINGED TIGER (1970) is a heist movie with a "Mission Impossible" twist. Produced by Sir Run Run Shaw, written and directed by San Kong ( Shen Chiang ).  The action direction is handled by the long time duo of Tang Chia and Liu Chia-Liang. Released on February 18th, but it feels like it was around a bit before they released it. Anyway, let's get busy!

In the world of martial arts (Jiang Hu) the supreme master created a manual summarizing all of his martial skills in it. Having two top students and knowing they would be rivals, The supreme master devised a plan whereby the one manual became two. One manual held the odd numbered pages and the other manual held the even numbered pages. Each student received one of the manuals. Many years later the manual with the even numbered pages ended up in the hands of Master Yin, "the King of Hades" and the manual with the odd numbered pages ended up in the hands of the swordsman known as "the Winged Tiger" Deng Fei . Master Yin proposed to Deng Fei that he marry Master Yin's sister: Yin Cai Fa and unite the manuals and the skills of the supreme master and rule the martial world. 

The Jiang Hu has many schools, clans and styles but they can all be divided into two categories: Orthodox and Heretic. The orthodox clans like Ermei, Wudang and Shaolin are considered the righteous clans. The heretic clans such as The Sun Moon Sect, The Heavenly Eagle Clan and Xuanming Clan are considered the evil clans. Both Master Yin and Deng Fei's clans are considered heretic clans. The orthodox clans are not happy with possibilities of the evil clans ruling the martial world and have a plan of their own to stop them.  

The majors schools of the orthodox clans recruit Flying Hero Guo Jiou Ru to first murder and then impersonate Winged Tiger Deng Fei and get the two manuals for the orthodox clans hence not having the manuals in the hands of the heretic clans and having a evil clan rule the martial world. Guo Jiou Ru agrees to take on the mission and sets off. After he has succeeded in murdering Winged Tiger Deng Fei however, two emissaries of the orthodox clans approach him and say the orthodox clans have changed their minds. They want him to destroy the manual he now has, rather than risk his life to get the other manual. Flying Hero Guo Jiou Ru insists on carrying on with the mission saying the manuals are too precious to be destroyed and should be shared with the world. Will he succeed? 

CAST REPORT

the good: Chen Hung-Lieh in his first role as a hero plays Flying Hero Guo Jiou Ru. Annette Sam Yuet-Ming in her very first role on the silver screen as Liu Yan Qing. Fang Mian as Master Liu Yi Ying and Cheng Miu as Chief of Huashan.

the bad: Tien Feng as Master Yin, King of Hades. Angela Yu Chien as Yin Cai Fa. Paul Wei Pin-Ao as You Ming. Cheng Lui as Winged Tiger Deng Fei. David Chiang in his first featured role as a villain plays Jade Face Bai Yun Sheng.

HONORABLE MENTION: Stunt and extra cameos by Wang Chung, Yuen Woo-Ping, Liu Chia-Yung, Yuen Shun-Yi and Hsu Hsia.

FIGHT TIME: THE WINGED TIGER (1970) has action choreography by the great team of Tang Chia and Liu Chia Liang. It has been a minute since these two have had any work released and I am going to say this movie does not look like a product of the 1970's. It is not uncommon for Shaw Brothers to have a project in the can and release it much latter or not at all and this movie's dust is a bit obvious, at least in my opinion but, that said, the work is up to their (Tang Chia and Liu Chia-Liang's) usual standard which is to say it is quite good. I counted 5 fight scenes including its multi-part finale but with the suspense of the hero's infiltration, there is nothing boring about this movie. Great job!

HONORABLE MENTION: The fight scene one hour into the movie was fierce as all get-out and "well worth the price of admission"! 

THE WINGED TIGER (1970) has drama, suspense, romance, sex and action, so yeah, this is a good movie! It has the first heroic role for a traditional villain and the first villain role for a traditional hero and the first appearance of an actress on the silver screen so collectors have a winner here as well! Please go out and get this movie and I'll see you next time!

  

If you liked this review please comment on the blog, become a follower of the blog, join me on my Facebook account by sending me a message first and then a friend request so I know who I am friending (  https://www.facebook.com/Michael529P   ) and like my Facebook page: SHAW Brothers Kung Fu Movies 1965-1986. I thank you and would appreciate it very much!

NEXT UP: LADY OF STEEL (1970)

TWIN BLADES OF DOOM (1969)

TWIN BLADES OF DOOM (1969)

Runme Shaw produces a good straight forward wuxia yarn with TWIN BLADES OF DOOM (1969), our first film of 1969. There are no problems whatsoever with director Doe Ching's  work and as a matter of fact his direction is very much above par. However, there is a flaw in the script from writer Chiu Kang-Chien. Lets take a look.

Our story begins with Chang Qi Liang also known as the TWIN SWORDS OF DOOM and Hero Lu Chun Yee also known as the Jade Unicorn on a field amongst a mountain range for a duel. The are both reading letters presumably written by each of them for the other and afterwards gentlemanly and honorably begin the duel. Chang Qi Liang defeats Hero Lu with his unique weapon but is immediately overcome with grief over his win and retires from the Jiang Hu and refuses to kill for three years. 

SPOILER ALERT: Now, if you have read my previous 30 reviews you know I like to write spoiler-free reviews, if I can do such a thing for such old movies but in this case there are two things that are NEVER revealed in this movie and I would rather mention them, than not, so it does not diminish one's enjoyment of this movie. One is: what was in the letter the heroes wrote to each other and the other is why Chang Qi Liang is devastated over his killing of Hero Lu. The additional factor of not speaking Mandarin Chinese means that something more could have been revealed that was not translated in the subtitles but there's nothing we can do about that as the movie is rare enough as it is, only available in VCD, if you can find it at all. So with a movie released in 1969 we just have to live with the fault in the movie and carry on. It happens sometimes. Aside from these two things the movie is very straight forward and I liked it very much as you will see. 

It is three years later and Chang Qi Liang is struggling and living with his parents taking on odd jobs to help make ends meet. It just so happens that the house where he and his parents live is part of the territory of The Ghost Gang. The Ghost Gang is a huge underworld criminal organization engaged in all kinds of criminal activity. The leader is called the Ghost King, and his lieutenants are known as The Five Great Killers, namely: Red Killer, Yellow Killer, Green Killer, White Killer and Black Killer. The Ghost Gang employs scores of down and out citizens across China in their operations and supply weapons and masks to their henchmen.

Qi Liang's latest odd job is as a paladin carrier. Unfortunately for Qi Liang, the passenger happens to be  the provincial governor of Han Dan whom the Ghost Gang has decided to rob and assassinate this rainy night. Unfortunately for the Ghost Gang, when they decide to kill all possible witnesses Qi Liang goes on automatic kill mode and wipes out the entire kill crew. Unfortunately for Qi Liang (okay, last one, I promise) the Yellow Killer is the cleaner for this job and sees his kill crew accomplish the job but get wiped out and so he tracks Qi Liang to his parent's house and kills both of his parents. 

The Yellow Killer's next move is an elaborate ambush on Qi Liang while Qi Liang is looking for his parent's killers and the Ghost King. The battle between them leaves Qi Liang wounded as well as poisoned. His weakened body is found by a troupe of martial arts performers and the girl who finds his body, Lu Yin-er, takes an immediate interest in him. Yin-er and her father treat Qi Liang for the poisoned wound and when he recovers they give him a ride to Qi Dou Town (He is still looking for the leader of the Ghost Gang) while they go on to Lu He Village to perform. 

Qi Liang runs into three Ghost Gang henchmen at a Qi Dou Town Inn he stops to rest and learns (after "smacking them around") that the Ghost King is headed to Lu He Village! Qi Liang races to Lu He Village but is too late to catch the Ghost King ram sacking the whole village. Lu Yin-er and the sole survivors of the martial troupe (her sister and father) tell Qi Liang of the plan they learn of the Ghost Gang's robbery intentions at Qi Dou Town (!) They decide to go together to Qi Dou Town and put an end to the Ghost Gang terror for once and for all. (Woooo ! What a story!!)

TWIN BLADES OF DOOM (1969) stars Ling Yun as the troubled and vengeful son Chang Qi Liang, he is a handsome actor and goes on to do many a great wuxia movies for Shaw Brothers. Ching Li plays Lu Yin-er, with her cute self and is so girly and adorable you can barely resist her. Her real life father, Cheng Miu, plays her father in this movie, if you noticed the resemblance and she becomes a major beauty in the Shaw Brothers stable of beautiful women. Chen Hung-Lieh plays Ma Lok and Yau Ching plays the mayor of Qi Dou Town's wife and their parts are probably better appreciated if you can speak Mandarin.

HONORABLE MENTION: Lam Kau as the Ghost King, Chieh Yuen as Yellow Killer, Cheng Lui as White Killer and Lau Gong as Black Killer

FIGHT TIME: TWIN BLADES OF DOOM (1969) has no action director in spite having seven (7) full fight scenes by my count for an action packed movie with some pleasant subplots that might even cause you a laugh or two. Everyone performed well so we have no "HONORABLE MENTION" for this review. 

I would not at all be surprised if TWIN BLADES OF DOOM (1969) was somehow an adaptation of some form of Chinese literature. The story seems very involved and cut short in some places giving an overall feeling of being scaled down. In spite of this, the movie as a whole still thoroughly entertains, even without a fight choreographer and I absolutely recommend it for all viewers and collectors alike! See you next time. 

If you liked this review please comment on the blog, become a follower of the blog, join me on my Facebook account by sending me a message first and then a friend request so I know who I am friending (  https://www.facebook.com/Michael529P  ) and like my Facebook page: SHAW Brothers Kung Fu Movies 1965-1986. I thank you and would appreciate it very much!

NEXT UP: KILLERS FIVE (1969)