Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)I have to say that the Venoms really dominated and made the genre of the "Kung-Fu" films. While I prefer to call them "Martial Arts/Hong Kong Cinema", this is one of the finest and most complete movies of that famous era.
Kuo Chui, Wei Pai, Lo Meng, Lu Feng, The late Chiang Sheng(The Five Deadly Venoms) are all in this movie, and they are joined by many of our favorite supporting cast members from their other films including the great Johnny Wang(still a very tough guy at 50+).
This one has everything you want to see in a movie from this type or genre. It has some of the finest choreographed fighting sequences thanks to its very talented cast members. Phil Kwok(aka Kuo Chui) is now considered one of the greatest action directors in the film business in Hong Kong or Europe, and from me to him, you have a lot of fans in the US including me !
The story has some unexpected twists from the Venoms.
First Off, Ms.Lee, a female guest star, is unusual for Venoms films due to the strong feelings of producer Mona Fong, who felt that strong women characters in ancient China would be unrealistic. She was right, of course, however, modern trends all want to show us women with heroic characteristics and Ms.Lee's character is very likable and important in the movie.
Secondly, we have a likable HERO in Lu Feng, who is cast very surprisingly as the evil leader of the Chee Saw gang. However, for all of his fans, he makes even a bad guy a hero in the end.
Lo Meng reprises his undercover bad guy role as the Silver Spear who tries to turn Kuo Chui(Agent High-Toe) into a bad guy. Lo Meng a true master, not only was he a great fighter, but his characters made you feel he could convince others to follow him through low key, friendly persuasion.
Chiang Sheng as "Short Axe" was just classic for him, and to be honest his death scene brought tears to my eyes knowing that he is gone from us in real life now too. Short Axe is a jovial, fun loving fighter, and Chiang was well known to be a man with a big heart. RIP brother Chiang.
We also get to see Wei Pai in a role as the Swordsman. This is important because he did not star in as many movies with the other Venoms as they did with each other. Wei Pai, a gentleman in most of his roles always gives us an air of honor, and higher standards. It would be interesting to know if Wei Pai did come from a upper class background prior to acting.
Veteran Shaw Brothes actor and now director Johnny Wang gives another great "bad guy" appearance as the evil Iron Robe. For those in the know, he was the judge in 5 Deadly Venoms, and he also starred as a bad guy in the Ti Lung classic Avenging Eagle.
A very important movie for Shaw Brothers and Martial Arts fans, this one is a classic by which others may be measured.
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