Sheng Fu
Legendary Weapons of China
"Legendary Weapons of China" is a classic martial arts film filled with epic battles and humorous moments, showcasing unique fighting styles.
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The Deadly Breaking Sword
The legendary Ti Lung unites with Jackie Chan's kung-fu comedic rival, Alexander Fu Sheng, to defeat an assassin being controlled by the demented Doctor Guo Tiansheng. Acclaimed choreographer Tang Chia's action scenes and sight gags are bewitching to behold.
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The 8 Diagram Pole Fighter
What started as masterful kung-fu filmmaker Liu Chia-liang’s homage to the heroic Sung Dynasty Yang family became an angry, even savage, rumination on heroic sacrifice when international idol Alexander Fu Sheng died in a car accident midway through production. Fu’s death was not only tragic because he was such a close friend, but because the role he was playing was one of only two survivors of an ignominious betrayal by a jealous General. Knowing that he had to immortalize Fu’s final, unfinished performance, Liu carried on, having co-star Hui Ying-hung step into the action. The finished film is unique in the director’s extraordinary filmography for the intensity and power of its emotions and kung-fu. There are heartbreaking references to the tragedy throughout, but the climax is truly unforgettable as the other family survivor, now a Shaolin-trained warrior faces his betrayers amid a pyramid of coffins. What he, and his Shaolin masters, do then has to be seen to be believed….
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Boxer Rebellion
The “godfather of the kung-fu film”, Cheh Chang, was given one of the highest budgets to date to tell this sweeping war story of disillusionment and revenge. Choreographed by Liu Chia-liang and starring international favourite Alexander Fu Sheng, it rates as a revelatory masterpiece.
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The Avenging Eagle
Avid international kung-fu films fans have a special place in their hearts for this outstanding martial arts drama, which marked the ascension of director Sun Chung and action choreographer Tang Chia to legendary status. Tang also appeared as the “Chief Security Officer” in this powerful tale of the Thirteen Eagles Assassination Sect of the infamous Iron Boat Clan. Ku Feng is excellent as the poisonously patriarchal leader of the killers, but conflicted “son” Ti Lung and vengeful victim Alexander Fu Sheng command the screen as consummate warriors united in tragedy. Everything is exceptional in this endlessly entertaining production: from the cinematography of Lan Nei-tsai, to the script by Shaw Brothers’ writing wizard Ni Kuang, to the editing of Chiang Hsing-loong and Yu Hsiao-feng, which deservedly won the Golden Horse Award.
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Shaolin Temple
There is no place more hallowed in the world of martial arts than China’s Shaolin Temple, birthplace of a special brand of kung-fu developed centuries ago by monks opposed to the Manchu rulers of the Ching Dynasty.
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The Brave Archer 2
"The Brave Archer 2" is a classic martial arts film sequel, blending thrilling action and intricate storytelling as it continues the saga of martial artists facing treacherous challenges in ancient China.
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Cat vs Rat
One of Liu Chia-liang’s classics, 'Cat vs Rat' is almost a full-scale slapstick comedy, as well as a tailor-made showcase for the "odd couple" of Alexander Fu Sheng and Cheng Shao-chiu. Their wushu squabbling for supremacy ultimately imperils an incognito emperor, resulting in a sparkling and unexpected family affair, from the king of kung-fu filmmaking.
Apple TVLegendary Weapons of China
On a continent which reveres its martial arts, the director’s nickname is “Kung-fu Liang” – holder of a filmography unprecedented in its innovation of theme, ingeniousness of plot, and imagination of its astonishingly designed kung-fu. This production is clearly the culmination of his initial Shaw Brothers work – the film which he used as a showcase for his and his brothers’ – Chia-yung and Gordon Lui – skills. In the premiere, groundbreaking book on the genre, Martial Arts Movies, author Ric Meyers called it “the quintessential martial arts movie” and perhaps the greatest kung-fu movie ever made. Showing prescience customary with this visionary, the plot revolved around early 20th century pugilists vainly attempting to find a kung-fu which could defeat the bullet … years before the same theme would be used in Once Upon A Time In China. It also features the rarely dramatized magician-spies of China, who would ultimately inspire the Japanese ninja. But most importantly, it is a beautifully made action comedy featuring international fan favorite Alexander Fu Sheng and supremely brilliant kung-fu.
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Marco Polo
When Shaw Studio decided to produce an epic about the famous Italian explorer Marco Polo and his meeting with Mongolian emperor Kublai Khan, they turned to one of their most famous and respected directors. Chang Cheh, who had already proven himself by making such sweeping sagas as All Men Are Brothers, co-wrote this adventure of four Han blood brothers and their quest to avenge their comrade's killing at the hands of three sadistic Mongol warriors. He then surrounded famed Caucasian actor Richard Harrison (as Marco Polo) with the best the Shaw Brothers kung-fu film units had to offer, including future lead 'Venom' Kuo Chue, 'Master Killer' Gordon Liu Chia-hui, and 'Thundering Mantis' Liang Chia-jen. The result is a splendid historical tale as well as a superlative martial arts thriller.
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Shao Lin wu zu
Fans thought that Chang Cheh couldn’t out-do his star-making box office hits "One-Armed Swordsman", "Vengeance", "The Water Margin", and "Blood Brothers", among many others. Once this landmark saga hit the screen, however, they had to raise their expectations once again. The story was simplicity itself: Shaolin renegade legend Hung Hsi-kuan had five comrades, each with an individual kung-fu skill. This is the story of that quintet’s fight against their Manchu oppressors and traitorous collaborators, played to the hilt by some of the finest martial arts actors who ever got their kicks. Revered choreographers Liu Chia-liang and his brother Liu Chia-yung were there to create one unforgettable bout after another, featuring Crossed Fist, Triple-Jointed Stick, Rolling Technique, Tiger-Stork Style, and Pole Attack. Each of the well-defined heroes takes on the clearly delineated villains for involving sequences of unparalleled effect.
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Chinatown Kid
In one of his early contemporary martial arts actioners, Fu Sheng teams up with director extraordinaire Chang Cheh in Chinatown Kid to battle the Five Venoms before they poisoned themselves into cult status. Although Chang was chastised for using San Francisco stock shots to make it seem like it was filmed in America, to Chinatown Kid's credit, the incredibly violent fights are immensely satisfying as man on the run Tan Tung (Fu Sheng) one by one defeats each triad gang related venom while succumbing to the seductive powers of the ultra-sexy Shirley Yu only to realize that, in typical Chang Cheh style, materialism and heroism leads to nihilistic desecration.
Apple TVApple iTunesThe Brave Archer 2
This magnificent martial arts saga takes up where the renowned original left off. Our hero Kuo Tsing is winning the hand of fair maiden Huang Yung. However, almost immediately, clan rivalries in the “Martial Art World” lead to Kuo being wounded by Ouyang Feng and Huang being named the new leader of the Beggar Clan. All this is mounted with sparkling energy by three kung-fu choreographers and a star-packed cast. International favorite Alexander Fu Sheng is back as Kuo. Niu Niu shines in her show-stopping role as his fiancée. 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!
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Heroes Two
Two of the most celebrated heroes of the Shaolin Monastery are brought to life in "Heroes Two", a landmark in the history of martial arts movies. Often cited as one of the top ten by the prolific action director Chang Cheh, "Heroes Two" is significant as the beginning of the Shaolin cycle and the collaboration between Chang and celebrated action choreographer Liu Chia-liang. In addition to kung-fu superstar Chen Kuan-tai, then at the height of his popularity, the movie confirmed the stellar status of 19-year-old Alexander Fu Sheng. The heroes they portray, Fang Shih-yu and Hung Hsi-kuan, are favorites with filmmakers and movie buffs. In the 1990s, both were portrayed by Jet Li in two separate movies, "Fong Sai Yuk" (1993) and "New Legend Of Shaolin" (1994), though even Jet’s fans will admit that Alexander’s youthful energy is hard to beat. Connoisseurs of the male form will agree with critic Karen Tarapata’s humorously titled list “Ten to Make Your Socks Roll Up and Down,” which includes the scene in "Heroes Two" where “Alexander Fu Sheng fights for righteousness while removing his clothes.”
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7-Man Army
Another iconoclastic work from the action auteur Chang Cheh, and winner of Honourable Mention for Dramatic Feature at the 13th Golden Horse Awards, 7-Man Army retells the legend of seven patriots during the Sino-Japanese War. In 1933, 20,000 Japanese soldiers and 50 tanks invaded the Pa Tou Lou Tzu, a strategic key point of the Great Wall. With only seven men stationing, these heroes took on the entire army for five days before succumbing.
Apple TVApple iTunesShaolin Temple
There is no place more hallowed in the world of martial arts than China’s Shaolin Temple, birthplace of a special brand of kung-fu developed centuries ago by monks opposed to the Manchu rulers of the Ching Dynasty. A special place deserves a special epic, which is precisely what martial arts maestro Chang Cheh delivers in the aptly named, action-packed Shaolin Temple. It is a battle between a brave brand of Shaolin boxers and literally thousands of Ching troops, complete with betrayals, intrigues, and such novel fighting machines as 108 wooden robots. The human fighting machines prove just as lethal thanks to a cast that includes such legendary kung-fu stars as Ti Lung, David Chiang, and Alexander Fu Sheng.
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Shaolin Martial Arts
In the spectacular careers of Chang Cheh and Liu Chia-liang , many international fans feel that this film is the apex of their collaboration as, respectively, director and kung-fu choreographer. Add to that the starring role of Alexander Fu Sheng and the introduction of international Shaolin monk icon Gordon Liu Chia-hui, and you have an epic for the record books. A great choreographer in his own right, Tang Chia, is on hand as partner to Liu Chia-liang, while the titanic team of “king of the villains” Johnny Wang Lung-wei and “Thundering Mantis” Liang Chia-jen play Manchu assassins. But at the heart of this action-packed classic is relevatory training sequences in the Eagle Claw, Hung Hsi Kuan, and Yung Chun schools of kung-fu. In short: this is a must for any martial arts movie fan.
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Life Gamble
Legendary director Chang Cheh was in a transitional period. The men he had made stars (Jimmy Wang Yu, Ti Lung, and David Chiang among them), had moved on to their own projects. Soon his new star, international idol Alexander Fu Sheng, would also look for other productions. So Chang used this opportunity to test the star power of some new talent, namely a Taiwanese Opera artist (Kuo Chui) and a powerful Chinese muscleman (Lo Mang) – who were soon to become the foundation for his internationally popular “Venom” series. Teaming the trio with the top supporting actors (Ku Feng and Wang Lung-wei) and the prettiest starlets (Lin Chun-chi, Shirley Yu, and Hui Ying-hung), he told an entertaining and exciting tale of a kung-fu blacksmith taking on four famous robbers while a villainous gambling boss plots to destroy them. The resulting thriller was another winner for the vaunted filmmaker.
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Brave Archer and His Mate
Brave Archer and His Mate is the fourth in a series originally starring international favorite Alexander Fu Sheng as master martial artist Kuo Tsing. But Fu only appears here in a cameo as the son of a character played by Lung Tien-chiang. Kuo Chue is the new hero who is out to defeat the mass murderer of his martial arts masters.
Apple TVApple iTunesCat vs Rat
One of Liu Chia-liang’s classics, 'Cat vs Rat' is almost a full-scale slapstick comedy, as well as a tailor-made showcase for the "odd couple" of Alexander Fu Sheng and Cheng Shao-chiu. Their wushu squabbling for supremacy ultimately imperils an incognito emperor, resulting in a sparkling and unexpected family affair, from the king of kung-fu filmmaking.
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