Chang-hwa Jeong
King Boxer
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.
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Cheng Chang Ho had already established his filmmaking fame in Korea when he was invited to join the Shaw Studio. He created new fame in Hong Kong by directing (and sometimes writing) such action epics as Valley Of The Fangs, The Swift Knight, and this tale of a decapitating swordswoman who will let nothing stand in her way when she falls in love with a bandit’s son. Chiao Chiao, made famous in One-Armed Swordsman, is the girl who won’t let such trifles as craniums keep her from freeing her man from jail. The one villain who manages to keep his head (in every definition of the phrase) is Fan Mei-sheng. The success of this film really helped the director get ahead in just two years he was to helm the very first internationally successful kung-fu film: King Boxer.
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Valley of the Fangs
The team of director Cheng Chang-ho and star Lo Lieh would become well known for King Boxer – the first internationally successful kung-fu film…even before Bruce Lee became a star. This stirring saga of the “Martial Arts World” helped them prepare for that breakthrough. As with King Boxer, Lo Lieh plays the righteous hero, trying to protect another hero’s wife and daughter from a corrupt minister’s murderous plans. Li Ching, who would later star in Sexy Playgirls and Sexy Girls Of Denmark, is the object of Lo Lieh’s protection, while Wang Hsia, from The Secret Of The Dirk, is the dastardly villain. Cheng Chang-ho films it all in his customary sumptuous style, making it a fascinating companion piece to his subsequent worldwide phenomenon.
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