THE DUEL (1971) #64

THE DUEL (1971)

Released on April 21^st, THE DUEL (1971) is yet another well-loved movie produced by the elder brother Shaw: Runme Shaw. It is written by, surprise, surprise Chiu Kang-Chien, the writer of THE SINGING KILLER (1970) but not so surprisingly, also the writer of THE BELLS OF DEATH (1968). THE DUEL (1971) is a tale of intrigue set on the backdrop of the birth of The Republic of China. The great Chang Cheh is the director working once again with the action direction team of Yuen Cheung-Yan and Tang Chia putting in their most exciting work to date! Let’s get busy!

Ti Lung as Tang Ren Jia

David Chiang as Jian Nan, the Rambler  and  Cheng Kang-Yeh as Xiao Mao

On the surface of it THE DUEL (1971) is a tale of a fateful duel between two fighters. Tang Ren Jie is fighting to avenge his godfather’s death at the hands of a journeyman in the underworld (the Rambler), Jian Nan, a highly skilled fight with no ties to any one gang and as such can be persuaded to help one gang or another. In this case however, Jian Nan is deceived in killing Tang Ren Jie’s godfather, Shen Tian Hung, an elder gang boss who is actually retiring from the criminal life after taking revenge for a friend of his who was also killed recently. Jian Nan must fight Tang Ren Jie but he is sorrowful for what he feels is an unworthy kill for him since his victim was going to retire from the gang life and become a civilian. 

Tang Ren Jie saves Jian Nan's life during a battle

THE DUEL (1971) takes place during “The Warlord Era” or the period after the Qing Dynasty from 1916 to 1927. Whether they were called warlords or bandits or gangsters, these people wrecked havoc on life in Mainland China where it was a “man’s world” and if you were weak or a woman you could be forced to do whatever you were told and corruption was everywhere and justice was whatever the powerful said it was. I mention this because the more you know of China and this era the more there is for you to experience in THE DUEL (1971), it is that deep.  There are double crosses galore and everybody has deep characterization if you care to look for it. A look at life in China after the Qing Imperial government and before Communist Party rule, THE DUEL (1971) is a must have for everyone's library of Asian films.   

Chuen Yuen steals this scene but ONLY if you are paying attention to details

CAST REPORT

the “good”:  Ti Lung as Tang Ren Jie. David Chiang as Jian Nan, the Rambler. Chang Kang-Yeh as Xiao Mao. Ku Feng as Tang Jen Lin. Wang Ping as Hu Die.

the bad: Chuen Yuen as Gan Wei Bin. Hung Lau as Shiu Li. Wang Ching Ho as Jau Hai Shan. Lee Wan-Chung as Senator Fung.

HONORABLE MENTION: Chuen Yuen is absolutely repulsive as the big bad, excellent acting especially when you are not suppose to focused on him. 

FIGHT TIME: THE DUEL (1971) was choreographed by the fight team of Tang Chia and Yuen Cheung-Yan. Their design style could certainly be called “fast and furious” and it was again difficult for me to grab screen shots of action without any blur. They also like to keep multiple fights working simultaneously making for some very exciting scenes where you could get caught up in just trying to follow everything. I counted twelve (12) fight scenes making this one of the most fight filled movies to date. No wonder this one is a fan favorite!
HONORABLE MENTION: The all-star cast of henchmen used throughout the film. Including: Liu Chia-Yung, Yuen Woo Ping, Fung Hak-On, Cliff Lok, Wang Chung, Yuen Shun-Yi, Chen Kuan-Tai, Bruce Tong Yim-Chaan, and more!

RECOMMENDATION: Any Shaw Brothers, David Chiang and Ti Lung co-starring project needs no one's recommendation, especially mine. It is entertaining and collectible. It is automatically a must-see and a must-have. See you next time!

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NEXT UP: THE EUNUCH (1971)

THE SINGING KILLER (1970) #057

THE SINGING KILLER (1970)

The Singing Killer (1970) released 12/22 is Shaw Brother's the last kung fu movie released in 1970. Sir Run Run Shaw produces Master Director Chang Cheh's heist / kung fu / modern music / romantic / young people's slice of life in Hong Kong / dramatic movie. This movie is definitely one for the time capsule with everything and the kitchen sink from the Shaw Brothers Studios packed inside it and it takes itself very seriously. The script is co-written by I Kuang and Chiu Kang-Chien, and the song lyrics are written by director Chang Cheh. Action direction is by the skillful team of Tang Chia and Liu Chia Liang so it is a legit kung fu movie. Let's get busy! 

Chen Sing the "Chinese Clark Gable"

Mr. Fung is a music promoter and the manager of the Dragon Palace Night Club. Mr. Fung is also an independent member of the criminal underworld in Hong Kong. Occasionally his legit world and his illegal underworld would cross paths but this time they will totally collide as his multi-million dollar jewelry heist of Tse's Jewelry Shop is missing one "key" element. That element is someone to crack open the safe in the manager's office. Namely Mr. Fung's heist requires the skills of the Singing Killer himself, the former criminal gang member known as "Johnny".   

David Chaing doing teen angst

Mr. Fung is keenly aware of Johnny's reluctance to return to a life of crime but he also knows Johnny's weakness --"Lily". Lily is the love of Johnny's life and his former gang member and girlfriend. They have long went their separate ways but Johnny would do anything to be reunited with Lily or at least, that's the plan...

Wang Ping as "Shiu Hsien"

CAST REPORT

the good: David Chiang as Johnny. Wang Ping as Shiu Hsien (Lily). Stanley Fung as Detective Wang.

the bad: Chen Sing as Manager Fung. Tina Chin Fei as Ho Man. Ku Feng as Brother One.

HONORABLE MENTION: Ti Lung, Dean Shek, and Wang Chung have very small roles. 

The Crew

FIGHT TIME: THE SINGING KILLER (1970) spared no effort by assigning the masterful team of Tang Chia and Liu Chia-Liang to do their fight choreography which consisted of street-fighting and some gun play. I counted six (6) fight scenes which is not very action-packed but with the drama and music necessary for the story any more action would have made for a much longer film which I can see them not wanting to risk on a multi-genre movie. Bottom line is you can't do too badly with these guys as your action directors, they do good as usual.

HONORABLE MENTION: And the Academy Award goes to...Chen Sing for pretending he can't fight! 

David Chiang versus Wang Chung

Let's dance!

RECOMMENDATION:

I'll have to recommend THE SINGING KILLER (1971) if for no other reason than the off-the-cuff kick-in-the-stomach realism it portrayed in depicting life on the run for young street people in Hong Kong. If you are not used to Hong Kong movie realism then you might be taken aback when one of the female characters has to "pay the rent" for the group. Unfortunately this does not come until the movie is two thirds over and so you might be bored by the goody-goody two step of the early part of the movie. Over-all this is a movie one should "have" rather than "not-have" but I will not call it a must-see movie. It is, however, a unique look at Hong Kong in the 1970's and as such as some collectible value. See you next time!

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NEXT UP: KING EAGLE (1971)

THE HEROIC ONES (1970) #051

THE HEROIC ONES (1970)

Sir Run Run Shaw produces a historical drama entitled THE HEROIC ONES (THIRTEEN HIGH OFFICIALS) written by Chang Cheh and I Kuang and directed by Chang Cheh. This story is based on an historical event that took place in China during the Tang dynasty where a tribal chieftain came to the aid of the emperor to recapture the capital city with the help of his thirteen adopted sons and the tragedy of the aftermath. The action choreography is done by the awesome team of Tang Chia and Liu Chia-Liang with Liu Chia-Liang's younger brother Liu Chia-Yung also getting action director's credit. Let's get busy!   

WARLORD BANDIT WANG CHAO

In 883 during the Tang Dynasty, the Warlord Bandit, Wang Chao rebelled against the Tang Emperor and attacked and captured the nation's capitol of Chang'an. The Emperor, by imperial decree summoned Chieftain of Shatuo, Li Ke Yong to liberate Chang'an and promised to make him King of Jin. Chieftain Li and his thirteen adopted sons, known as the Thirteen Generals, along with 100,000 of his own soldiers and 500 of his personal guards went to a neighboring province to plan the attack. As guest of Warlord and Governor of Bianlian, Zhu Wen, Chieftain Li and his Thirteen Generals entered hostile territory and had to deal with not only the Warlord Bandit, Wang Chao but with the jealous Warlord, Governor Zhu Wen. This is their story.

CHIEFTAN LI KE YONG OF SHATUO

WARLORD GOVERNOR ZHU WEN

CAST REPORT

the good: Ku Feng as Chieftain Li Ke Yung. David Chiang as 13th General Li Chun Xiao. Ti Lung as 11th General Li Jing Si. Chin Han as 1st General Li Sxu Yuan. James Nam as 4th General Li Tsun Hsin and Wang Chung as 12th General Kang Chun Zi. 

the bad: Lee Hae-Ryong as Bandit Warlord "King" Wang Chao. Chen Sing as Warlord Govenor Zhu Wen.

HONORABLE MENTION: Liu Chia-Yung as 10th General Li Chun Shou and Lily Li as Tsui Yen. Bolo Yeung as General Meng Jue Hai. 

FIGHT TIME: THE HEROIC ONES (1970) boasts three (count 'em 3) action choreographers and these three are no run of the mill action directors. Tang Chia, Liu Chia-Liang and his younger brother Liu Chia-Yung have a resume that can not be equaled but the action looks like it is a little bit crowded. There is so much going on in the scenes that there is hardly anyway to keep track of it all. However, I can buy that, 1)for the time period it is set in, and 2) the sheer number of combat participants, that this is actually a realistic depiction of army combat. It is just a little rough on the eyes but careful observation reveals quality techniques going on so I am just going to eat the results. I counted seven (7) fight scenes including one nearly 20 minute long but the action builds and supports the story line so it is an absolute win.

HONORABLE MENTION: an exquisite display of spear-play by Ti Lung starting 1 hour and 19 minutes into the film. 

The challenge when presenting an historical drama is how to honor the history but still present enough drama to hold the audience. Chang Cheh and I Kuang do just that with their work in THE HEROIC ONES (1970). But still, I would love to see a modern production of this drama in an 40 or 50 episode television show. There are plenty of characters and subplots to merit such a work. I unreservedly recommend this movie for collectors and casual viewers alike and in fact thist is one of the most challenging reviews where I am tempted to reveal spoilers of the plots but please, since I did not spoil the movie please, please, please go and see this movie by any means necessary. See you next time!

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NEXT UP: A TASTE OF COLD STEEL (1970)

VENGEANCE! (1970) #049

VENGEANCE! (1970)

Chang Cheh is back and he is once again turning the new wuxia genre on its head with his creativity. Producer Runme Shaw presents VENGEANCE! (1970), released on May 14th it was directed by Chang Cheh, written by Chang Cheh and frequent co-writer I Kuang. The action is directed by Tang Chia and Yuen Cheung-Yan, two of the best in the business working together once again. Let's get busy!

Guan Xiao Lou is a man on fire as he sets out to kill everyone involved with the murder of his older brother over their desire for his older brother's unfaithful wife. 

CAST REPORT

the good: Ti Lung as Guan Yu Lou. David Chiang as Guan Xiao Lou. Wang Ping as Hua Zheng Fang. 

the bad: Alice Au Yin-Ching as Hua Zheng Fen. Ku Feng as Feng Kai Shan. Yeung Chi-Hing as Jin Zhi Quan. Chuen Yuen as Adjutant Gao Hong Tu. Hoh Ban as Generalissimo Hu Hu Cheng. Wong Ching-Ho as Yin Nan Ting. Chen Sing as Li Qi.

HONORABLE MENTION: This is Chen Kuan-Tai first appearance in a Shaw Brothers movie. Wang Kuang-Yu, Cheng Lui, Wang Chung, Cliff Lok, Yuen Woo-Ping, and Jason Pai Piao also have small roles as henchmen.

CHEN KUAN-TAI

WANG KUANG-YU

CHENG LUI

WANG CHUNG

CHEN SING

FIGHT TIME: VENGEANCE (1970) starts a new sub-genre in the category of wuxia films: namely modern kung fu. The movie takes place in the twentieth century, so the weapons and techniques used are more up to date than those wuxia tales of the dynasties of ancient China. Tang Chia and Yuen Cheung-Yan do the action direction that mostly involve hatchets, small throwing knives and huge bowie like knives. I counted four (4) fight scenes but there is still plenty of action throughout the movie. Excellent work!

HONORABLE MENTION: Ti Lung's athleticism in his youth is showcased in his opera performance, don't miss this! 

Chang Cheh has done it again! VENGEANCE (1970) is another Shaw Brothers classic movie that is truly deserving of the designation "classic". There are so many firsts and guest stars and cameos of future stars in this movie it is an instant collectors item. As far as the movie watching experience, it is a rather grim but entertaining and thought provoking showcase that no one should miss! See you next time!

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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!

  

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NEXT UP: LADY OF STEEL (1970)