Extraordinary filmmaker Wong Jing, known for his crazy comedies and thrillers, has now combined both the horror and romantic comedy genres to tell the tale of a man who is both blessed and cursed... he resists females with an innate power that is forced onto him by a dark wizard. Finally it's up to his true love and a skilled sorcerer to get them to the church on time!
Young Lin Hsiao-hung (Shih Szu) is a poor orphan. She seeks the help of her wealthy uncle, Fang Chen-chuan (Ching Miao) and his sons, Fang Cheng (Yueh Hua) who is brave and honest, and Fang Feng (Chen Hung-lieh), a playboy. Strangely, Fang Chen-chuan favors only Fang Feng. When Fang Feng refuses to pay a gambling debt, his father pays up. Later, Fang Feng is prevented from molesting a girl by Fang Cheng who explains she is their cousin, Lin Hsiao-hung. But soon the same thing happens again and Fang Cheng intervenes once more, causing enmity between the brothers. Fang Feng seriously wounds the Magistrate's son, Li Teng-yao in a fight but Fang Chen-chuan exerts his authority to protect his son from the law. Fang Cheng is banished from the house after a fierce argument with his father over Fang Feng's uncontrolled behavior. To avenge himself, Li Teng-yao ambushes and wounds Fang Feng, and while she dresses his wounds, he rapes Lin Hsiao-hung. Fang Chen-chuan is furious to discover that Lin Hsiao-hung is pregnant, and refuses to believe her true explanation. A servant, Ta Shan Ken intervenes, taking the blame for her condition, and Fang Chen-chuan drives them both from the house. Fang Feng discovers their whereabouts, and beats Ta Shan Ken to death. This forces him to become an outlaw. His acts of robbery and subsequent murder of Li Teng-yao, make him a hunted criminal. Fang Cheng, now a lawman, is sent to capture Fang Feng. The brothers and Lin meet in a final confrontation. Though wounded by her, Fang Feng kills Lin before dying himself from her fatal bullet wound.
This magnificent martial arts saga takes up where the renowned original left off: with our hero Kuo Tsing winning the hand of fair maiden Huang Yung. Almost immediately, however, clan rivalries in the "Martial Art World" leads to Kuo being wounded by Ouyang Feng and Huang being named new leader of the Beggar Clan. It's all mounted with sparkling energy by three kung-fu choreographers and a star-packed cast. International favorite Alexander Fu Sheng is back as Kuo, but Niu Niu shines in her show-stopping role as his betrothed. In addition, the mystical martial arts mayhem serves as a showcase for "My Young Auntie" Hui Ying-hung, king of villains Johnny Wang Lung-wei, and "Venoms" Kuo Chue, Lo Meng, and Sun Chien as well as other famous action stars literally too numerous to mention!
It's rare in any film industry that Part III of a classic has the same "umph!" as it's predecessors, but when you get legendary director Chang Cheh to return for a third time to helm much of the original terrific cast that includes Alexander Fu Sheng, Ti Lung and several of the "Five Venoms," it's just a masterpiece waiting to happen...again. And it does. Based on a classic kung-fu novel, The Brave Archer 3 delivers at all levels; mystery, magic, plot twists and of course brilliant martial arts action that has always been one of Shaw Brothers' calling cards of success. Chang's heroes live for death while wrapping themselves in their own universe, and at the right time, will altruistically explode. That's what makes this film a blast.
The Pure and The Evil begins with two teen girls who are inseparable but ends like Fatal Attraction where guttered sexuality leads to insanity. Rose and Fang were from opposite ends of the spectrum, but nevertheless were close. The refined Fang moves to America but returns years later to see her old buddy Rose who immediately takes an eye to her fiancé. Things quickly digress into erotic deteoriation as Rose's thorns begin to stick in Fang's and her fiancé’s sides.
This is the acting debut of Yuan Te, Jackie Chan's kung-fu classmate. He plays the downtrodden kung-fu student Ko Chien, who saves the life of a kung-fu master played by Chen Kuan-tai.
Chen Kuan-tai, Wang Lung-wei, Wen Hsueh-erh, Yuan Te
The 18th century reign of Emperor Chien Lung has proven to be a treasure trove for Hong Kong filmmakers, and director Li Han-Hsiang, the acknowledged master of the costume drama, made a series of four blockbusters about the dashing young swashbuckler's exploits. The scenario won the Best Adapted Screenplay Award at the 1979 Golden Horse Awards, and told of the monarch's incognito journey from Beijing to southern China... and imperial mayhem that ensues!
The chase may be long, but the action is fast and furious is this tale of a dart master-for-hire and the innkeeper’s daughter, Hsueh-niang (Li Ching) who loves him. Kou Ying (Yueh Hua) is under deadly threat from a police officer after he assassinates a Government Minister, while Hsueh-niang is the target of murderous local bandits. The consummately versatile director, Ho Meng-hua soon to be declared a master of the “esoteric weapon” kung-fu film, develops his style with this sharp thriller that really gets to the point.
This glorious pageantry was awarded Honourable Mention for Drama at the 2nd Golden Horse Awards. Li Li-hua gives a magnificent performance as Wu Tse-tien, the most famous woman in China's more than four thousand year history. The screen fairly bursts with royalty, intrigue, tragedy, and triumph as the script charts her from her teenage years to old age.
Li Li-hua, Chao Lei, Chiao Chuang, Lo Chi, Yu Feng-chi
Months before Bruce Lee burst into the international scene with ENTER THE DRAGON, this powerful story of tragedy, torture, redemption, and revenge premiered across America under the unforgettable title FIVE FINGERS OF DEATH. And, under that title, it went on to become the first international martial arts movie hit, and a perennial best-selling video. It made a continent-spanning star of Lo Lieh, and established the Shaw Brothers as the preeminent studio for high quality action and adventure. Now, finally, after more than thirty years, the original KING BOXER takes its rightful place as the film that started it all for the Western world. Not surprisingly, the tale of an honorable fighter's retraining in the "Iron Palm" style after corrupt invaders crush his hands remains as potent and exciting as when it premiered.
Acclaimed director Chu Yuan was credited for bringing mystery and detective thriller ingredients into his atmospheric and character-rich martial arts epics, and this is one of the most impressive examples. The title refers to the nickname of a notorious rapist-murderer who swoops down to destroy one swordsman's fiance and frame another. Or does he? The two tragic men team with a beautiful swordswoman searching for her missing father to find the truth — only to discover incredible traps, ambushes, duplicity, avarice, and betrayal between them and the mystery's solution. They survive blades, bombs, and even poison gas to reveal priceless treasure and coveted kung-fu manuals before the Bat is beaten at his own insidious game.
Ching Li , Derek Yee , Ouyang Pei-shan , Wang Jung
When Ti Lung left Shaw Brothers, he dropped his stereotyped "lone swordsman" persona from the past six years and has since ventured into films with social themes. In his directorial debut, Young Lovers On Flying Wheels, Ti Lung replaces the "sword" with a motorcycle and then chooses the girl and happiness instead of dueling and a lonesome existence.
Following the lives of three downtrodden but resilient outcasts in the big city, they learn that life is tough but money can’t buy happiness either. John Lo Mar's gritty social drama paints a sense of realism rarely seen in Hon Kong movies of the era.
It is little wonder why Chang Cheh is considered legendary. Not only did he usher in a whole new kind of "yanggang" (macho) cinema, but he was also one of the most prolific and consistent directors in the world. He made more than 70 films in the period between 1960 and 1975, but this was considered one of the most notable. A nominal sequel to the equally acclaimed SHAOLIN MARTIAL ARTS, this powerful production came a year later and cemented Alexander Fu Sheng's superstardom with a performance many proclaimed the best of the young lead's career. It is also one of the last Chang Cheh films choreographed by Liu Chia-liang, who was becoming a legendary director in his own right. Together, they made this tale of the Shaolin vs. Manchu conflict -- played out at a textile mill -- one of the highlights in kung-fu film history.
