5 comments about Black Robe.

1. The movie is okay. It seems like it tries to pack a lot of story into a a short time.



2. This is one of the most powerful films I have ever seen. No stars and a Canadian film, so it never got big box office. The encounter between Christian missionaries and Native people I have never before seen so senstively told. There are no bad guys. It neither glorifies Christian missionaries nor does it romanticize the lives of the Native people, something "Dances with Wolves" does.
   
   If you want a film that says the Native people were living in a kind of Eden that was contaminated by the Europeans; or if you want to see how benighted the Indians were before they were saved by the Gospel, this is not your kind of movie. But if you want to see character development on so many levels, to see the goodness and evil that can exist simultaneously within us, to see people struggle to find each other in the midst of misunderstanding and cultural presuppositions, this is well worth your viewing time. Plus, the action is exciting and the scenery is incredible.



3. This is a wonderful movie and it shows how reprobate our society are. it shows how, even in bad conditions and even death, that we will must preach God's word. The part where the priest baptizes that women who was dying with the arrow in her neck shows the true charity of what the Jesuits were doing. He was a man who was tryin to save a hopeless and ignorant people. It shows that some people are just destined for hell and how few get on the road that is narrow. The priest litterally takes on evil and satan when he goes into the forest. He deals with abandonment, torture, and death. But in the end people were saved and the greater glory of God shown, and thus his accomplished his mission as far as saving some souls. A wonderful movie.



4. I watched this movie yesterday and it is still on my mind and will be for a long time. I think we all know the story, but the cast and crew in this particular film made it into a work of art. The photography was particularly breathtaking. Some shots of the river made me gasp in wonder. I will watch it again for that. Please see this and give yourself some pleasure.



5. This priest has challenges as the savages called him demon because of his black robe. He is making a trip to Huron mission and looks like Mark and his dog. The Indian canoes escort him on the trip up the St. Lawrence River. The Indian priest is evil. The midget (spirit) is a detractor from his faith, plus the temptation to love a woman. He saved a newborn child, as salvation of the poor barbarians. When they left him behind and was captured by rival Indians, not men but animals, it looked like the starting out place.
   
   No gifts given are not paid for. They are forced to march through snow as prisoners. Had they gone in circles? God is the one who forgives. The priest enters the mission alone and finds a dead guard. He gives up on his dream as it was just an illusion. He baptizes the Hurons, and all were killed by the Iroquois later. He mistakenly put his trust in God, thinking He will guide us.

No comments about The Ultimate Gordon Liu Collection DVD Set (4 Assassins/Shaolin Vs. Wu Tang/Master of Disaster/Shaolin Martial Arts).

No comments about Gordon Liu Presents: Martial Collection.

No comments about Jet Fighter Collection: Jet Li.

3 comments about Return of Master Killer.

1. I ordered 36th Chanmber and Return of the Master Killer. I recieved 2 movies with different covers and write ups thinking it was part one and two but they were both the same movie. nobody can tell me the difference in the title for part one and two. Other than that buy the one from this seller, real good quality vs the other with was horribly boot-legged.



2. Tha last reviewer wants to know what the difference between these are and I would be glad to go over them.
   
   Shaolin Master Killer AKA 36th Chamber-this is the one. Gordon Liu goes to learn kung fu at the Shaolin Temple, comes back, takes revenge.
   
   Return of Master Killer AKA Return to the 36th Chamber(beware, there is a bad bootleg floating around that says 36th chamber on the cover but is really Return to the 36th chamber. That DVD case actually has pictures from Return Of MK on it). This movie is just as good as the first. It is a comedy. Instead of playing San Te, he goes to learn from San Te. The final fight is about 20 minutes long and is one of the best in cinema history.
   
   Disciples of Master Killer AKA Disciples of the 36th Chamber-Gordon does play San Te in this though he is not the main character. Hsiao Ho plays Fong Sai Yuk and this movie also co stars Jason Paio, Li-Li-Li, and Lau Kar Leung who is the director for all 3 films.
   
   Also the Red Sun versions of these 3 movies are completely uncut, have CRYSTAL CLEAR picture, are letterboxed, and have dual language tracks so you can watch it in it's original language. Some people call these boot legs but the picture quality and sound on these 3 movies by Red Sun is absolutely second to none. Some other flawless releases from Red Sun are 2 Champions of Shaolin, Ninja in the Dragon's Den, 7 Grandmasters, the entire Lone Wolf and Cub Series, Dirty Ho, Shaolin Challenges Ninja, and Fists of the White Lotus.
   
   I hope this review was helpful to you.



3. Now I never give a good review based solely on the last half of a movie, but this is an exception. The sequel to "The 36th Chamber of Shaolin" (aka "Master Killer") will reward patient viewers with an incredible ending. The sequel is mostly a comedy, and does get some originality points for being so different from its predecessor. Unfortunately the comedy itself gets some banality points, especially Hsiao Hou's ridiculous teeth. I read some reviews of this (not just here) where it has been said that this is "on par in every way with the original". That is a load of crap. In terms of story, this doesn't even come close. In terms of training and fights, well then we might have something to talk about.
   
   Gordon Liu plays Chao Yen-Cheh, a con-artist. His brother works in a dye factory whose owner recently brought in some Manchu thugs to bully the employees and give them a 20% pay cut. The employees talk Gordon into impersonating the Shaolin monk, San Te (who he portrayed in the original film), and frightening the owners into refunding their money. It works at first, but Manchu baddie Johnny Wang is on to their little scheme and exposes it as such. Humiliated and angry, Gordon decides he should sneak into the Shaolin temple to train for real. Once there, the monks also expose him as a fraud, but the real San Te takes pity on him and allows him to stay on to fix the roof, where he erects oodles of bamboo scaffolding and observes the students and monks practicing.
   
   Recently, I reviewed "Chinese Super Ninjas" quite favorably, saying that the fight scenes in it were some of the most creative I had ever seen. Yeah, well they have been usurped... a lot. A lot a lot. I watched with a gaping jaw at some of the stuff that Gordon Liu does in this film. I was initially angry that he didn't play San Te in this, but when I saw the kind of dexterity he displays, I don't think it could have been duplicated by anyone else. I've never seen him move the way he does in this flick and I've seen a TON of his films. Amazing.
   
   The Red Sun distributed disc is well remastered and partially widescreen, so there are no presentation complaints. It is English dubbed and there is a selection for "original language", though on Red Sun discs they almost never work. Sorry, I didn't actually try it. The back cover actually shows pictures from the first film. There are a few more things about the story itself that bothered me but might not bother others so I will just let them go. Even considering that, it's still well worth checking out. Again, the assets FAR outweigh the liabilities. Followed by "Disciples of the 36th Chamber", aka "Disciples of the Master Killer", which is actually more of a real sequel to the first film than this one, and also a great flick. Get all 3, baby!
   
   1980. aka: Return to the 36th Chamber

5 comments about Shaolin Challenges Ninja.

1. Apples vs. oranges, Chevy vs. Ford, Yankees vs. Red Sox, vanilla vs. chocolate... all great debates to be sure, but they pale in comparison to the best debate of them all, Chinese Martial Arts vs. Japanese Martial Arts! This Lau Kar-Leung (who also appears as a drunken master!) film, also known by the much better title, "Heroes of the East," delivers this battle in fantastic fashion with tons of style and charm to spare. The plot has Gordon Liu in an arranged marriage to Japanese actress Yuko Mizuno and instantly their cultures and beliefs clash, most importantly when it comes to just who has the best fighting techniques the world over. In typical Kar-Leung film fashion the movie has a light playful tone, however; unlike some of his other attempts it's never corny and obnoxious and Gordon and Yuko in particular have fun with the situations while still keeping a serious tone about everything. The Japanese masters that are brought in to challenge Gordon are all great and bring personality and flavor with the small amount of screen time each is given (by actual Japanese actors). When these duels occur we get everything you could ever hope for including Kung Fu vs. Karate, Long Sword vs. Kitana, Butterfly Knives vs. Sais, 3 Section Staff vs. Nunchuku (in the closest we'll ever get to seeing Liu take on Bruce Lee... and this guy is an obvious clone), and more! One knock I do have with the movie is that Chinese master Liu tends to pawn the Japanese masters in exciting but fairly one-sided duels. Still, this is a Chinese film (if it was Japanese I'm sure things would be quite the opposite) and the Japanese masters are all treated respectfully even in defeat. This is a top 10 martial arts movie for myself and many other fans of Kung Fu cinema so if you haven't seen this yet then do yourself a favor and check it out ASAP! As far as the DVD by bargain-bin bootleg company Red Sun goes, it looks unbelievably good in a crisp, clean widescreen presentation and comes with 2 language tracks (original and English dub... the dub has a pretty solid hissing behind it) and can be bought for next to nothing. That being said I advise buying this only if you have never seen it and until Image or another respectable company rereleases it... then crush this bootleg copy with a rock (means of destruction completely up to you. The rock is just a sugestion LOL!).



2. All the reviews listed here say it very well. This movie portrays the mythos between Japanese and Chinese fighting very well. It compares and contrasts them through the discovery between a newly wed husband and wife. It is playful and humorous in spots, without being the least corny. It is one of my favorite Shaw releases. If you are trying to get your girlfriend to watch old school kung fu, start with this one. If you have a girl that likes kung fu, she's a keeper. If you are a single girl that likes kung fu..... how YOU doin'? Anywho, the Japanese wife who is skilled in martial arts and playful with it early in the movie will appeal to the female gender.
   
   The Red Sun release is a little sketchy. As stated in another review, this dvd has original language with subtitles, even though my dvd cover says english language with no subtitles. Color reproduction and sharpness are fairly good. Also, my dvd wouldn't work in one player, but did in another. For the money, and to have original language, I am most pleased though.



3. What's refreshing about this movie is that its sense of humor transcends culture and geography. I can deal with the fact that kung fu films are just an extension of the Chinese Opera, but often the humor doesn't translate. Then again, I find most modern American comedies anything but funny. And let's look at American martial arts flicks. No, I'm not gonna do that. Blecchh!
   
   Gordon Liu is arranged to be married to a Japanese woman, which he ain't thrilled about until he sees how pretty she is. So he goes through with it and all is well until they start debating on the superiority of Chinese or Japanese styles. Eventually they spar and Gordo wins. She goes back to Japan and he issues her a challenge to try and get her to return. Unfortunately the letter is intercepted by some of her superiors thinking he is challenging them and insulting their martial arts.
   
   A group of Japanese fighters soon show up on Gordon's door looking for a rumble. He has to fight one a day until he is defeated or takes them all out. Not an easy task, even for an expert.
   
   There are some great and inventive fights in this movie. And each one is different from the last as he has to use a different style and/or weapon for each of his opponents.
   
   A beautiful, restored DVD only adds to the excitement of owning this movie. Colorful in picture, humor, and style. This is quite a bit different than most Shaw Brothers movies I've seen and is recommended.
   
   1978. aka: Heroes of the East; Challenge of the Ninja



4. I'm not a man of many words, so I don't think I'll say too much. But not enough can be said about this awesome martial arts flick! First of all, it stars Gordon Liu, whose martial arts career rivals that of Jackie Chan. Second it is a fantanstic display of the differences between Chinese and Japanese martial arts. It's got jian (straight sword) versus katana, butterfly swords versus sai, karate versus zui quan (drunken fist), and an awesome confrontation between Chinese kung fu and ninja!
   
   Some might call the plot weak, but I've seen weaker. Besides, it's usually not about the plot, but the kung fu fights, in which case this film is excellent.



5. Nice family film, which is rare for a flick from this genre. I would definitely recommend it. The storyline can be applied to in modern kungfu films of today.

3 comments about Challenge of The Masters (Shaw Brothers).

1. I have heard a lot of different opinions on this movie over the years, and the people who don't like it seem to not like it because they think the movie is slow. It is a bit slow I suppose, but to tell a story you can't just have nonstop fighting, right? The story in this movie is very well done. A killer is in town (played by the director Lau Kar Leung), and an officer (played by his real life blood brother Lau Kar Wing) has shown up to arrest him. They have an amazing fight scene and Lau Kar Leung kills him. Gordon Liu plays the legendary Wong Fei Hung, and had become friends with Lau Kar Wing's character. He wants to catch the killer, but he has only started to learn kung fu (from a teacher played by Chen Kuan Tai). Chen Kuan Tai's character is where the line in the title of my review comes from (in the English dubbed version that is, and I had to shorten the quote so it could fit into the limited space given for the title). He also teaches Wong Fei Hung that "kung fu cannot be learned in just a few years. After 2 years, people start to believe they're not bad. But then, after some 20 years, you realize that you are not so good. But still, if you are not feeling satisfied, that means you are on the right track". It's those types of speeches that sucked me into this movie and kept my eyes glued to the screen the entire runing time (I actually just got the movie yesterday, and I've already watched it 3 times!). So Wong Fei Hung ends up becoming a kung fu master and he fights the killer, and helps his school gain back the respect that they had lost in some kind of a fun looking game where everybody beats eachother up.
   
   There are a ton of other recognizable actors on hand, such as Wong Yu, Fung Hak-on, Eric Tsang, Wilson Tong, John Chang, Shut Chung Tin, Ricky Hui, Lily Li-Li-Li, Peter Chan Lung, Chien Yuet Sang and Kong Do.
   
   There are a couple of very touching moments towards the end of the movie, and that is what helps to make it a real kung fu classic, and a movie that I highly enjoyed and will surely be watching again and again. If it had maybe one more great fight scene, it would easily get a 5 star rating. But as Chen Kuan Tai's character would say, a rating of 4.5/5 isn't all that bad.
   
   Picture and sound quality are awesome. Cantonese and Mandarin tracks included, and what I prefer, the original English dub.
   
   Special features include the original English and Chinese trailers, and 2 interviews with Chen Kuan Tai. Very enjoyable interviews.
   
   And on a side note, is Chen Kuan Tai going to star in every Media Blasters Shaw release? Because it's fine with me.



2. You nailed it. Those Chen Kuan Tai inspirational speeches are awesome in this film and coming from Chen Kuan Tai, you know it! My favorite from him is the last one he delivers to Gordon Liu, " Hung Fei, not only are you skilled at kung fu you have the right humility. This virtue is much more important than kung fu excellence. When you've beaten your opponent, you've only beaten him in a physical match, but if you can win that man's heart... well then. That is the way real kung fu should be, forgive men and forbear! Hung Fei, never forget your humility and kindness. Awesome english dubbs. Also that showdown between Liu Chia Liang and Liu Chia Yung is priceless in it's own right!



3. This is one of the best films by Shaw Brothers director Lau Kar Leung ("Executioners From Shaolin"), yet the lack of fights may deter some fans of kung fu flicks. That is often a criticism of mine on many films too. Well... not this time. The characters, story, and overall theme pulled me right in. I'll admit that it would've been nice to see more fisticuffs, but this is easily good enough to recommend without the constant brawling.
   
   Another chapter in the story of real-life Chinese hero Wong Fei Hung, the subject of many unrelated films by the director, whose own father was taught by a student of Fei Hung's. This is the first time actor Gordon Liu would portray him, but not the last. Here, Fei Hung is a mischievous boy, who wants to learn to fight from his father, Master Wong Kay Ying (Kong Yeung). Master Wong feels that Fei Hung lacks the right temperament to seriously study kung fu. When he messes up a competition for his father's school, he is sent to learn Hung Gar Kuen from his father's master, Lu Ah Tsai (Chen Kuan Tai, "Crippled Avengers", "The Master"). Soon after his training begins, Fei Hung learns that his friend (Lau Kar Wing, "Knockabout") was murdered trying to apprehend a criminal, played by the film's director. Master Lu talks him out of going to find his revenge, and into staying, to train.
   
   It should certainly be mentioned that though there are only a couple of fights in this film, they are excellent. Especially when you consider when this was made. Fairly fast and full of form. All alliteration aside, I think this movie is quite an accomplishment. Other than "The 36th Chamber of Shaolin", this may be Lau Kar Leung's best film. It should be shown to all students of the martial arts, as a positive example of why fighting should only be used as a last resort, and how compassion can change an enemy's agenda. EXAMPLE: As a kid, during an unsupervised basketball game, I assaulted someone who could've ripped me to pieces. Instead, he restrained me just long enough to let me know that I was being irrational, and that all would be forgiven if I calmed down. It took me a second to come to my senses, but the problem was resolved, just like that. He had every right to smash my face in. I was embarrassed, but he saved me from an even worse humiliation, and a lot of pain. Not to mention teaching me a valuable lesson I would carry with me for the rest of my life. Though I rarely see him, we are still friends.
   
   I only wish I had this DVD from Media Blasters. I have a remastered copy from Red Sun, with fantastic picture quality that lives up to the usual job from Celestial. What you'll get if you purchase the Media Blasters version is that same great remastered picture, plus interviews with Chen Kuan Tai (who I should mention is terrific, like always), and several language options. I wouldn't have purchased the bootleg, except that I found it used for $4. Who can pass that up? HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. 4.5/5
   
   1976

5 comments about Invincible Pole Fighter.

1. I bought the 8 Diagram Pole Fighter not expecting much. It has shown on a few enthusiasts lists, but its limited availability left many newer kung fu enthusiasts not knowing its splendor. I literally tacked it onto my Amazon order as an afterthought from a marketplace vendor cheap.
   
   What I was treated to was a super fast paced, superbly choreographed spear and pole movie that kept me absorbed until the last frame. The fights in this movie were like nothing I have seen. And it has a darker feel to it than most Shaw Bros. films (largely attributed to Fu Sheng's death during filming). It has battlefield spear fighting, fighting on a horse (that's two people, one horse), a fight on stacked coffins (has to be seen), and a one on one pole fight with the head monk that is among the best pole fights I have ever seen on film.
   
   The acting is a bit melodramatic. Which works with Gordon Liu, but not some of the other characters. I think that is mainly because Liu has a great intense look, so he can pull off the quiet, intense, melodramatic. The particular edition I got (I believe a Red Sun edition) is ok, but not great. And it is in English dub only, even though it has an 'original language' option on the DVD. It's still English.
   
   If you want this movie, have a bit more money to spend, and have a region free dvd player, expand your search. There are some remastered, original language versions out there. Otherwise, if you want to only spend a few bucks on this edition, go for it. It is definitely worth the money either route you go. This ranks as one of my favorite Shaw Bros., one of my favorite Gordon Liu, and heck, one of my favorite... period.



2. This is a much better than average kung fu film from Shaw Bros. and Lau Kar Leung. After an attack by the Mongols that leaves 4 of his 5 brothers dead, Yang #5 (Gordon Liu) kind of bullies his way into a Buddhist temple to train for revenge. Meanwhile Yang #6 (Alexander Fu Sheng, who died in a car crash during production) returns home with little, if any, of his sanity intact.
   
   When the Yang mother finds out about #5's err, uh... aliveness... and monastic residence, she sends Yang sister #8 (Kara Hui) to bring him home. She is, of course, captured by the Mongols and #5 must set out to rescue her. Luckily he has been studying zoological dentistry and is up to the task.
   
   Part of the joy in watching these films is the sheer beauty of photography, and while this is no exception, it has a few exceptions. I love the use of sets in Shaw Bros. productions, but this movie has a couple that are rather blatant. Walls painted to look like exteriors are usually placed several yards behind the actors and other props to avoid obvious detection. We're talking about .02% of the movie so the complaint is minor. The fights are all with weapons, which is slightly disappointing, but they're all very good. My only other complaint is that whoever dubbed Fu Sheng's voice as he yells a lot of incoherent psychotic ramblings is terribly annoying, but we're talking like another .02% of the flick, so, no biggie.
   
   1984. aka: 8 Diagram Pole Fighter; Invincible Pole Fighter



3. I actually wanted to give this movie 4 1/2 stars. Liu Chia Liang aka Lau Kar Leung, actually plays two different roles in the movie. Guess they figured no one would notice...or care. Now that that's out of the way, let me get to the good stuff.
   
   This movie is one of Shaw Brothers' best. It's one of Lau Kar Leung's best. It's one of Gordon Liu's best. Are you noticing a theme? In truth, it's not THE best. But the action in this movie is superb. The plot is good as well. Not as campy as most of these movies tend to be. Watching Fu Sheng was kind of surreal after realizing that this was his last role. But he was excellent and it's easy to see that he was on the verge of being a major star in Hong Kong.
   
   I also gained a new appreciation of Lau. As a director, but even more so as a fight instructor and choreographer. Kara Hui shows off some excellent work with the sword as well as the Kwon Do. For someone who didnt study martial arts she really shows an incredible level of athleticism.
   
   Overall this movie will not disappoint. If you love martial arts movies, then this is a must have. A classic!!



4. The first thing you should know is that Red Sun is a bootleg company. They steal the film's masters from its true owners and publish them on these discs. Red Sun discs come with essentially no bonus features, different audio tracks, or any bells or whistles.
   But since most of the true releases of these DVDs are fairly impossible to get your hands on, the Red Sun releases are usually worthwhile. The release of Invincible Pole Fighter, however, isn't worth your time. It's a very good kung fu flick with some of Gordon Liu's best work, but the audio quality is simply terrible. My suggestion is to try to find it at a video rental place or somewhere so you get to see it, but this disc isn't worth adding to your collection.
   Not to say Red Sun is terrible quality overall, most are fine. Return of the Master Killer, Five Deadly Venoms/Crippled Avengers, among others have the best quality picture and sound available...this one just didn't get it done.



5. Another classic! This movie is nearly perfect! The plot, action, and cinematography are excellent. The picture is extremely clear and the color is vivid. But, I have only one problem with the dvd that might be an issue for some of you. On this dvd, you can't remove the subtitles which of course is slightly different from the english dubbed dialogue. (One example is the actors are saying Mongols while the subtitles read Tartars.) If this doesn't bother you or if you can ignore the subtitles this dvd is for you.

3 comments about Drunken Monkey.

1. "Drunken Monkey" is a wild action comedy. Some of the humor does not translate from Chinese, but it is evident that the actors are having a great time. The plot is intricate. Two brothers are in business together. Biao, played by Lau Kar Leung (I think I have this right), is the older of the brothers. He discovers that the security business (similar to the wild west Wells Fargo) is being used by his younger brother for opium trade to the west. Biao has principles and insists his brother stop. This leads to an attempted assassination of Biao in what is a long and at times improbable martial arts romp. Although wounded, Biao is rescued from the river by Xiao Min, the ferry lady, played by Shannon Yao.
   
   Meanwhile the story shifts to a different group of characters. Chen Jiaye played by Lau Wing Kin is an artist who is drawing a martial arts manual for all of the poses of the Drunken Monkey kung fu style. Ah De played by Wu Jing is suspended in air on ropes and wiggles like a marionette as his master draws. Wu Jing is a muscular young guy who spends a substantial amount of the film with his shirt off.
   
   They bump into the ferry lady in town and follow her raft to the secluded house where she has been nursing the older brother back to health. Ah De copies a motion he observes from this master, AKA Man Bil (Biao) [I think I have this right]. The constable Hong Yi-Hu played by Gordon Liu reports it to the evil younger brother who now believes his older brother is alive. They follow Ad De & his artist master to the ferry lady's house where the final long confrontation begins.
   
   The film is fast paced. The emphasis is comedic rather than filled with gore. The poses Ah De gets immitating a monkey are hilarious. Watching this from the West, some of the comedy did not translate and the plot is so intricate that it strains believability. However, "Drunken Monkey" is not boring and often quite charming. Enjoy!



2. Maybe I would like this movie if I were young and stupid again. The fight scenes were pretty good. Gordon Liu was great as always. However, the "comedy" portions of the movie were terrible. You'd never know by the cover that this movie has a plentiful amount of mediocre Chinese "comedy." It was unfunny and stupid. It completely ruined the movie for me. 4-stars for the fighting, 2-stars for the movie.



3. If you have a soft spot for 1970's style kung fu flix where first rate martial artist fought it out on solid ground with little reliance on wires, then DRUNKEN MONKEY is the movie for you!
   
   If you've wondered what ever became of stars like Shaw Brothers' greats Chi Kuan-Chun, Liu Chia-Hui (aka Gordon Liu), and master choreographer Liu Chia-Liang now that the youngest of them is well into his 50's, then DRUNKEN MONKEY is the movie for you!
   
   If you don't object to some laughs with your martial mayhem and some nostalgia with your kung fu kata, then DRUNKEN MONKEY is the definitely the movie for you!
   
   Directed and choreographed by Liu Chia-Liang ( in pinyin that's Lau Kar-Leung) and starring him as well, DRUNKEN MONKEY is just plain old fun from start to finish, with plenty of great fights and forms thrown into the mix not only by our old favorites mentioned above, but also by the younger generation represented by Wu Jing Jason, Lau Wing-Kin, and Shannon Yao.
   
   The plot centers on opium smuggling within Liu Chia-liang's delivery service, an operation somewhat like Wells Fargo. The smugglers are headed up by the hero's own brother who is in cahoots with the evil Chi Kuan-Chun. Liu Chia- Hui (aka Gordon Liu, in real life Liu Chia Liang's adopted Brother, an honorific title) plays a constable investigating the smuggling.
   
   The evil do-ers plot to kill the hero, and think they have succeeded, but his almost lifeless body is pulled from the river by our heroine (Shannon Yao) who becomes his prize student in monkey fist while he recovers from his injuries.
   
   Meanwhile elsewhere our two young heroes (played by Wu Jing Jason and Lau Wing-Kin) are obsessing over putting together a book of monkeyfist techniques.
   
   Eventually everybody comes together and things get really good!
   I simply can't recommend this movie highly enough. See it now!

5 comments about Legendary Weapons Of China / Shaw Bros / Special Edition.

1. While there are at least 5 or 6 Lau films I would put above this, Legendary Weapons is still a wonderful kung fu film. Let's see, we have Lau Kar Leung himself in a starring role, Lau Kar Wing in a spectacular fight with many different weapons, Kara Kui, Hsiou Hou, and Gordon Liu in a great fighting role. The director manages to live up to the title of the movie and manages to top what you may be thinking of it going in. While it is not one of the most exciting movies ever, the last 30 minutes will absolutely blow you away.
   
   It is also odd seeing Hsiou Hou from Lau's 'Mad Monkey Kung Fu' and 'Cat Vs. Rat' in a serious role. He gets in a couple of moments of comedy but don't expect the norm with him on this one. It is a joy seeing all of Lau's great stars that he brought up in this. Even Fu Sheng has an extended cameo and most fans of his will enjoy seeing him on screen but others will not like his part in the movie.
   
   This release from Image Entertainment is very good. Crystal clear picture quality and great 5.1 and 2 channel sound in the Mandarin dialogue. Many will be very pleased to see an English track on here. All 3 tracks have great sound quality. Unfortunately this release does not have any special features except for trailers. It does not even have the liner notes that the previous Image releases have had. No big deal to me though since I had never seen this wonderful movie. Overall this is an outstanding release. Very nice to see a couple of American DVD companies stepping up to the plate and giving American kung fu movie fans the releases they have been waiting for for a very long time.



2. When I first saw this awesome movie on Drive-In Movie (channel 5) back in the day I liked it. However, it didn't have those familiar Australian voices, it had these new voices on the dubbing. Many Shaw Brother flicks that were made after 1980 had these different U.K. voices, and they sucked big time. It actually affected the acting negatively. Now, Image Entertainment changed all that. It's like a whole new film.
   
   Along with "Master Killer" this is one of Liu Chia-Liang's (Lau Kar-Leung) best. This one also stars his half-brother Gordon Liu, but Liang (along with his other brother, Liu Chia-Yung a.k.a. Lau Kar-Wing) take on the lead roles. Co-starring are Chu Tieh Wu (the villain from "Jade Claw"), Hsiao Hou, Kara Hui Ying-Hung (both were Liang's students) and the late Fu Sheng. Widescreen, beautiful, crisp picture. Awesome original Chinese track (even includes the English dub), and a bunch of trailers showing the rest of the growing catalogue of Image acquisitions.
   
   I'm not really going to go into the plot because if you're reading this, all you need to know is it's from Shaw Brothers. It takes place during the Boxer Rebellion, and this movie even reveals the hoax of witchcraft, magic and being bullet-proof toward the end. Absolutely amazing martial arts (choreography by the Liu brothers, Hsiao Hou & Ching Chu), especially the fifteen minute end fight, which includes everything from hand-to-hand to the 18 weapons. It also includes the name of the weapon appearing on the screen when one of the Liu brothers use it. Yeah, I know fu, too. I hope this is a sign of things to come from Image Entertainment.



3. the fight scenes are awsome in this movie but it could have been alot better they have some A list actors in this film for it to be dull as it is the plot sucked in a way but the best part of the film was the end the dimestration of the diffrent weapons used.....



4. Image's release of Celestial's remastering of this Shaw Brothers' classic should quench the thirst of those who waited for years for a decent version on DVD. This flick makes the top-10 list of a lot of old-school critics. In that capacity I think it's a little overrated, but if you like classic kung fu movies, it's a must-see.
   
   It's now the 1900's and the world is changing. The Industrial Revolution has thwarted any last attempts the world has of living in harmony with nature. Misery loves company and China is full of potential labor and natural resources, so goons from all over the world are pestering them to join in the carnage. The country is divided. Groups of rebels are trying to preserve China's way of life, but meet with resistance from the preferred weapon of the westerner... the gun. Still believing that the right amount of kung fu training will overcome the rifle, the Spiritual Sect continues to sacrifice pupils in perfecting the art of deflection. Lei Kung (Lau Kar Leung, directing the film and the fights) tires of watching his brothers die needlessly. Eventually realizing that these changes are inevitable, he decides to leave the sect. Not content with letting him go peacefully, the sect's leader (Lau Kar Wing) dispatches 3 fighters (Gordon Liu, Kara Hui, and Hsiao Hou) to find him; though the only one who is aware of the other two, secretly sympathizes with Lei Kung.
   
   This movie is very different and one of Lau Kar Leung's better directed films. There are a lot of cool, brief, ninja-like exchanges between the major players before the captivating extended finale involving the 18 members of the film's title. There is also a long comic sequence with Alexander Fu Sheng pretending to be Lei Kung in an attempt to draw out the old master. Though it's an odd mix, it is well done if you're patient enough between fights. I wasn't real big on the hypnotism kung fu, but it's brief and adds to the individual flavor of the movie.
   
   The picture is as crisp as a new dollar-bill and will disappoint no one. Celestial has done an amazing job on all of the Shaw Bros. flicks, but some really stand out; this is one of them. Kara Hui don't hurt none neither. The language tracks include the original Mandarin and an English dub.
   
   1982. aka: "18 Legendary Weapons of China", "Legendary Weapons of Kung Fu"



5. I only have one complaint: it would not play in my dvd player.
   Overall it was good