“Crippled Kung Fu Boxer” Theatrical Poster
AKA: Kung Fu Boxer
Director: Lee Chiu
Cast: Cliff Lok, Tsai Hung, Yueh Hua, Sun Yueh, Goo Chang, Lee Chiu, Chu Siu-Wa, Ma Chin-Ku, Wynn Lau Chun-Fai, Danny Chow Yun-Kin, Chen Shu-Chu
Running Time: 77 min.
By Martin Sandison
Those who know the name Cliff Lok usually worship at the alter of old school kung fu. It’s really a shame he was not a bigger star, as he has the screen presence and boyish charm of someone like Alexander Fu Sheng, and the physical abilities approaching the elite group of those such as Jackie Chan. Interestingly before he was a bona fide leading man he choreographed 18 Bronzemen and Return of the 18 Bronzemen, an unusual way for one who is known as an actor to break in to the Hong Kong film industry at the time. In the late 70’s and early 80’s he starred in a number of Independent movies, one of those being the all-time classic Choi Lee Fat Kung Fu, which recently reaffirmed my love of old school kung fu. An unfortunately lesser example of his skills, but one that is not without its charms, is Crippled Kung Fu Boxer.
Lok stars, in very clumsy opening section, as the son of a rich man who only wants to learn kung fu. He meets a master by chance, and begins to train. However two dastardly villains plans to kill his master as they were crippled by him in a previous fight, and Lok must aid his master in a fight to the death.
A terribly edited and structured opening really detracts from the films plus points, with exposition handled so amateurishly I almost turned it off. It’s a complete mishmash of storylines and characters, which thankfully do work out in the end. Once the story and action gets going the film improves somewhat, despite some tired tropes on show. It’s a standard narrative that holds no surprises, with Low as the mollycoddled young lad who only wants to study kung fu, much to the chagrin of his father. However, the presentation of the films villains and Lok’s aforementioned attributes haul the film slightly out of mediocrity.
The director himself Lee Chiu as the titular crippled boxer is worth the piece of admission alone, one of the most strange and hilarious baddies in kung fu movie history, intentionally and unitentionally it would seem. Visually the ineptitude of his costume made me burst out laughing whenever he’s onscreen, the most amusing element being a bald cap with sprouts of hair protruding from the front that looks like it’s been salvaged from a corner store. He moses around chewing the scenery, and the use of his hunchback in the fights has to be seen to be believed. Tsai Hung (Shaolin Temple) as the token second crippled boxer, while not as memorable in appearance, uses his crippled hands in a way that is pretty offensive (by todays standards), and to be honest not very effective in the final battle.
As a showcase for Lok, the viewer is really better served by watching classics such as Duel of the 7 Tigers and Choi Lee Fat Kung Fu, both in which he faces off against the irrepressible Phillip Ko Fei in two of the unsung classic fights of the golden age. The action here is slow and flappy, unusual for the talent involved and the time the film was made. The fights do get better, but not by much. At times there are moments of sweet spot shapes brilliance and complex acrobatics, but more often than not they are off-centred by bad sections of unsatisfying handwork. Lok’s onscreen persona is a delight at times, and he gets to break loose and play around with his character.
Director Lee Chiu also helmed two great movies in Two on the Road and Cantonen Iron Kung Fu, both starring Leung Kar Yan and Phillip Ko Fei. The end fight of the former is known as one of the best of all time, and had a choreographer with real pedigree, namely Addy Sung, one of the unsung heroes of kung fu cinema. To see him in action check out The Incredible Kung Fu Master and Buddhist Fist. Chiu chose to choreograph Crippled Kung Fu Boxer himself, and the action is a huge step down from the previous two films mentioned.
While not a total piece of crap, Crippled Kung Fu Boxer is not one to seek out, unless you’re a big fan of the cast and crew involved. It is worth watching, however, for the crippled boxer. Beware of the hunch.
Martin Sandison’s Rating: 5/10
