Li Ching
Heaven Sword and Dragon Sabre
Although director Chu Yuan’s collaboration with famed novelist Ku Lung is the stuff of legend, what is often missed was his titanic teaming with equally respected, equally inspired author Chin Yung – creator of this unforgettable saga. Set during the Yuan Dynasty, it tells the fascinating story of the “Sacred Fire” sect, the Wu Tang swordsmanship clan, the disciples of the Mei group, The Book of Chu Yang (which can make the reader immortal), and the destruction of Shaolin. And that’s just the start of the fascinating intrigues and ingratiating characters found here. Eminent martial arts instructor Tang Chia led a cast of screen idols, lovely starlets, and such veteran kung-fu artists as Lo Lieh on an incredible adventure that ranks as a favorite from Asia to America. And it’s just the beginning. Someone is wiping out all of Shaolin and the seven sects. Can they be stopped? Only the sequel knows for sure!
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The Duel of the Century
For more than twenty-five years, Chu Yuan was famous as one of Hong Kong’s most respected directors of “Martial-art World” epics – often conceived by his remarkable collaborator, novelist Ku Lung. This was one of their last productions together for the Shaw Brothers Studio, but it’s another revenge and mystery-tinged winner. Liu Yung and Sun Chien team up to investigate the martial-art murders of a supposedly mortally wounded swordsman, only to find deception, double-dealings, imposters, and one deadly duel after another. No less than three choreographers are on hand to handle the multitude of martial arts, making this one of Chu Yuan’s most involving and exciting efforts ever.
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Blood Brothers
Made at the peak of the martial arts film craze, "Blood Brothers" stands out against the run-of-the-mill kung-fu flicks that flooded the market in the 1970s. It would be hard to find more legendary names in front of and behind the camera: director Chang Cheh, who virtually reinvented the genre; the brilliant martial arts choreography by Liu Chia-liang, before he himself embarked on a directorial career; and the number one buddy team in kung-fu, Ti Lung and David Chiang, joined by Shaw Brothers newest superstar, Chen Kuan-tai. Set in the waning years of the Ching Dynasty, Blood Brothers tells of one of the most sensational scandals in Chinese history, the assassination of a provincial governor (Ti Lung) by his lieutenant and sworn brother (David Chiang). Ti Lung, in a complex role that allowed him to flex his thespian muscles, was honored with Golden Horse Award of Outstanding Performance.
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The Magic Blade
This exciting tale of two swordsmen vying with a power-hungry villain for possession of the dangerous “Peacock Dart” showcases brilliantly choreographed fights, glorious settings, superb cinematography and a final showdown that’s a highpoint in kung-fu cinema.
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Man of Iron
“Godfather of the kung-fu film” Chang Cheh had made stars of Jimmy Wang Yu, David Chiang, and Ti Lung. With this film, the sequel to the smash hit "The Boxer From Shantung", he and co-director Pao Hseuh-li did the same for real life martial arts champion Chen Kuan-tai. Master of the “Monkey King Split and Deflecting Arm” style, Chen exuded incredible power on screen, which his directors used to great advantage in this fight-filled follow-up. All the title character did was win some money gambling with a Shanghai gang leader’s playboy son, but that’s enough for the father and child to want obsessive revenge. It all culminates in an incredible climatic fight, choreographed by the legendary Liu Chia-liang and Chen Chuan, co-star of Bruce Lee’s "Fist Of Fury".
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The Boxer From Shantung
The movie that firmly established Chen Kuan-tai as a kung-fu superstar, The Boxer From Shantung was a top ten hit for 1972 and is now considered a martial arts classic. Chen is perfectly cast as “Ma Yung Cheng” (which is also the film’s Chinese title), an early 20th century patriotic youth from Shantung (northern China) who moves to Shanghai and gains fame as the first Chinese to defeat a professional Russian wrestler. When he refuses to become a hired assassin for the city’s leading gang, he finds life on Shanghai’s mean streets far riskier than the boxing ring. With the help of martial arts choreographers Liu Chia-liang and brother Liu Chia-jung, Chen shows that he’s more than equal to any boxer in or out of China. “Hong Kong Action Cinema” cites this as one of director Chang Cheh’s ten best, describing it as an “intense actioner, featuring bloodletting of Sam Peckinpah proportions.” This is also one of the first movies on which John Woo worked as assistant director, and it is interesting to see the Shaw Brothers influences on his later works like "Broken Arrow" and "Face/Off".
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The Angry Guest
Duel Of Fist was another hit from the “iron triangle” of director Chang Cheh and stars David Chiang and Ti Lung. And, as with all the director’s classics, one good hit deserves another, so this sequel was called for. Many of the trio’s biggest fans hold a special place for it since it is the film in which the director himself appeared as a triad boss. When last we left our heroes, they had triumphed against evil in Thailand. But a vengeful Japanese gangster has their mother killed and one of their girlfriends kidnapped. The esteemed Yasuaki Kurata, the future co-star of Jet Li’s Fist Of Legend, gives another fine performance here, in a film filled with international favorites.
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The Web of Death
It’s back to the Shaolin Monastery for one of the most unusual action-packed tales to invade its hallowed halls. Lo Lieh is the ringleader of the Snake Sect, intent on reviving a particularly deadly faction known as the “Five Poison Web” (which is also "The Web Of Death"’s Chinese title). To achieve his ends, he has an affair with the sexy ringleader of the Scorpion Sect, Angela Yu Chien. But there is also the Centipede Sect to contend with, as well as other assorted martial artists, among them such top Shaw Brothers talents as Yueh Hua, Ching Li, and Lily Li. Under the fluid direction of Chu Yuan and action choreographers Tang Chia and Yuen Cheung-yan (member of the martial arts world’s esteemed Yuen Family and brother of "Matrix" master Yuen Woo-ping), "The Web Of Death" goes places where no other Shaolin kung-fu movie has gone before or since.
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Clan of Amazons
Following such hits as 'Killer Clans' and 'Clans of Intrigue', the winning team of director Chu Yuan and novelist Ku Lung reunite with revered martial art choreographers Tang Chia and Huang Pei-chi for an atmospheric, character-rich, action-packed adventure about a mysterious masked highwayman.
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Heaven Sword and Dragon Sabre 2
The thrills continue in the second part of this cherished adventure. So sit back and enjoy the movie which spawned a legacy that continues even today - with an internationally loved television series, a role-playing game, and collectible replicas of the title blades!
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Swordsman and Enchantress
Master kung-fu choreographer Tang Chia leads the king and queen of Shaw Brothers’ swordplay, Ti Lung and Lily Li, to the amazing "Deer Sword" and escape from the insidious maze-like "Toy Land".
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The Brave Archer 3
It's rare in any film industry that Part III of a classic has the same "oomph!" as its predecessors, but when you get legendary director Chang Cheh to return for a third time to helm many of the original terrific cast that include 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 on 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.
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Four Riders 四騎士
Chang Cheh had established himself as the “godfather of kung-fu films” with such historical, costumed classics as "One-Armed Swordsman", "Golden Swallow", "The Deadly Duo", "Blood Brothers", and many others. But his fans also revered him for his superlative modern day martial arts thrillers, such as "Vengeance" and "Chinatown Kid". This prime example takes place in Seoul right after the Korean War, as a kung-fu master, combat instructor, explosives expert, and missile specialist must forgo the city’s pleasures to take on a venal, murderous drug smuggling gang. Representing the Book of Revelation’s four riders of war, famine, disease, and death as heroes against murder, corruption, jealousy, and greed, it’s a brutal battle where the one true winner is the audience. Featuring an international kung-fu cast guided by master choreographers Liu Chia-liang and Tang Chia, it remains a special production in Chang Cheh’s filmography.
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Return of the Sentimental Swordsman
Many feel that this, one of the Shaw Studio’s biggest moneymakers, is one of those rare sequels which is superior to its original. In any case, the charming title hero is back in action, facing the Money Clan Chief for the fate of the “Martial Arts World”.
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Duel of Fists
The 'iron triangle' of director Cheh Chang and stars David Chiang and Ti Lung - not to mention action choreographer Liu Chia-liang - made this kung-fu/Thai boxing combo one of 1971’s mega-hits.
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The Anonymous Heroes
A huge success from the golden age of Hong Kong kung-fu, "The Anonymous Heroes" is dominated by two far-from-anonymous cinematic duos. Stars David Chiang and Ti Lung, the most illustrious buddy team in action movies, are joined by the acclaimed behind-the-screen team of director Chang Cheh and martial arts choreographer Liu Chia-liang. The action takes place just after the Chinese Revolution of 1911, an era when the fledgling Chinese Republic was plagued by powerful warlords. But these tyrants find they have met their match in a trio of “anonymous heroes” united by their patriotism and high kicks: the vagabond (David Chiang), the adventurer (Ti Lung), and the general’s daughter (Ching Li). An exciting entry in the David Chiang-Ti Lung canon, and a top ten hit in 1971.
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Fists of Vengeance
When an unscrupulous Japanese financier’s sordid family tries to rape and pillage everything noble kung-fu student Yen Tzu-fei holds dear, he must use his fists of vengeance to prove there can be no forgiveness or mercy.
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