Disciples of Shaolin | aka Invincible One (1975) Review

"Disciples of Shaolin" Chinese Theatrical Poster

AKA: The Hung Boxing Kid, Royal Monks
Director: Chang Cheh
Cast: Alexander Fu Sheng, Chi Kuan Chun, Kong Do, Lo Dik, Stephen Yip Tin Hang, Chen Ming Li, Fung Hak On, Hon Kong, Lam Fai Wong, Jamie Luk Kim Ming
Running Time: 102 min.

By JJ Hatfield

There are a lot of older movies especially from the Shaw Brothers studio that used the word “Shaolin” in the title or the action. Some of the Shaolin movies were relevant to one another such as the so called “Chamber” movies. “Disciples of Shaolin” is one film that can and does stand on it’s own.

Some actors that have been in other Shaolin-themed films also appear here but they are completely different characters with different names. This was originally titled “Hung Boxing” or “Hung Boxing Kid”. However, Chang Cheh was the director and this was during his “Shaolin” phase It is important to have the accurate film name because every serious collector or fan of Shaw Brothers should have this in their library. And I’ll tell you why.

There were a number of elements that came together at the right time to raise this movie far above average old school romps. Chang Cheh was the director and in excellent form. He is not the best director in the Shaw Brothers films, but damn good. He managed to balance the acting and fighting, focusing on the reasons behind the fight as much as the fight scenes themselves. Lau Kar Leung was in great mode when choreographing and action directing. There are not wall-to-wall fight scenes, as the film is not really about actual specific blows or punches. However, Lau does a fantastic job with the fights that take place in various locations with different numbers of opponents.

At this point in time Fu Sheng’s martial arts were beginning to look not too bad. Once again, however, the viewer is drawn back to the story which is punctuated by brief but steadily growing more intense fights as the story continues to unfold.

Alexander Fu Sheng is a young man that leaves poverty and goes in search of his future. He is both naive and arrogant. He is also barefoot and destitute. But he is a good man who would never intentionally harm anyone who didn’t deserve it. He finds work at a textile mill and learns of another mill right in the same town who are competitors. When trouble stirs he of course decides to “fix things”. The situation escalates and before long pride and ambition lead Fung Yi down a path he could have never imagined.

One of three “kid” films this one belongs to no one but Fu Sheng. This was really the first time the viewer sees Fu Sheng really putting forth effort to inject some realism into the character and definitely his finest film to the date. Of utmost importance is his believability as the character to be so incredibly naive, and single minded to be coerced and manipulated to such an extreme degree. To Fu Sheng’s great credit he does manage to make his behavior seem understandable but not always admirable. Chang Cheh makes certain the choices made have consequences and not even Fu Sheng can escape.

This film was truly ground-breaking territory, not only for Fu Sheng, but for martial arts movies into the future. With the success of this film Fu Sheng proved he could both fight and act. “Disciples of Shaolin” “Hong quan xiao zi” is an excellent film I highly recommend.

JJ Hatfield’s Rating: 9/10