“Heroes of the East” Chinese Theatrical Poster
AKA: Challenge of the Ninja
Director: Lau Kar-leung
Producer: Run Run Shaw
Cast: Gordon Liu, Yasuaki Kurata , Yuko Mizuno, Lau Kar-leung, Simon Yuen, Norman Chu, Cheng Miu, Hitochi Ohmae, Nobuo Yana, Yasutaka Makazaki, Kato Maozo, Manabu Shirai
Running Time: 107 min.
By Equinox21
Gordon Liu stars in this Shaw Bros. film about a Chinese man and a Japanese woman who get married (through an arranged marriage). When they start challenging each others’ martial arts, things begin to escalate. Eventually, she leaves to head back to Japan. He sends her a “challenge letter”, hoping it will bring her back to China, but instead is misinterpreted by her Ninja mentor as a claim that his Chinese Kung-Fu is superior. So, about 8 or 9 Japanese martial arts masters all head to China to take up the challenge.
The fighting in Heroes of the East is pretty slick. I’m guessing that’s the whole reason to see a movie like this, which is why I was a little disappointed at how long the lead up was to the actual challenges was and how quick some of the fights actually went. The Japanese so-called masters gave up far too easily in some cases, after taking a few licks they’d decide they simply couldn’t win and walked away. This was only a few of the fights, but it almost seemed to be done to put a negative spin on the Japanese mentality or their martial arts in general (of course, the whole movie was about that, seeing as a Chinese Kung-Fu student beats 8 Japanese Martial Arts masters using various weapons). It was still cool to see, and the fact that no one dies at all is pretty amazing for a movie of that sort.
Overall, I’d recommend it… to any non-Japanese martial artists.
Equinox21’s Rating: 7/10
By Mighty Peking Man
Finally, a kung fu flick that features Chinese and Japanese characters and guess what: they DON’T hate each other. However, they still fight, but for legitimate reasons. That’s what makes Shaolin Challenges Ninja so unique. You can almost call it “The War of the Roses” meets “Shaw Brothers” with its silly, but smart, plot that revolves around a newlywed couple – a Japanese woman (Yuko Mizuno) and Chinese man (Gordon Liu) who are constantly testing/fighting each other to prove which is better: Chinese Kung Fu or Japanese Karate/Ninjitsu.
Though it has a fair share of action, keep in mind that “Shaolin Challenges Ninja” is light-hearted. Don’t expect something like Chang Cheh’s ninja-epic “Super Ninjas” with blood-soaked ultra-violence. Not in this film. If fact, nobody even gets killed. On the bright side, at least you can watch this while babysitting or something.
A little low on brutality, but a real treat for anyone who can appreciate a good clean kung fu flick.
Mighty Peking Man’s Rating: 8/10
The definitive movie depicting Chinese vs Japanese fighting styles. Although I think there would be better choices for Gordon Liu Character, this was a Lau Kar Leung movie, so who else would be? But fighting wise, it was impressive, no other chinese movie gave japanese styles a true chance to shine, in such a huge variety. So many japanese masters and stunt guys showing what they can do, and to think they blended well with chinese style of choreography, just shows why Lau Kar Leung was a master at his craft. I especially liked, that guy with a nuchaku and a tonfa, as to this day, is the only guy to use this duo of weapons in a movie, in a masterful way so to speak. Also, sorry Legend of Fighter fans. But if that movie gave a good acting performance of Kurata, here he gives the best martial performance of his career, period. In no other movie he was in you will see him do what he did, the way he did here. The final fight between him and Liu, is something like Benny The Jet Vs Jackie Chan, you will always come back to watch it, over and over again.
Thanks for all of the old school comments! I have to reach into my collection and watch this one again. There aren’t too many movies that show Yasuaki Kurata in his prime, and it’s a joy to watch how adaptable he was with any opponent.
You’re welcome bro. It’s nice to find a place that remember these old classics. I feel at home here, hehe. Lol
Oh and if you like Kurata, check him on Magnificent Trio. He also leaves his confort zone there and does some stuff he’s not used to.
This is actually my favorite Shaw Brothers movie of all time! The fights are fantastic, at the level of 36th chamber and Drunken Master movies, featuring lots of different styles and weapons. The film is always entertaining, its fun and light hearted and does not have a single minute I wouldn’t watch. Imo the quintessential classic Kung Fu movie coming out from Hong Kong, only surpassed by more modern masterpieces in which the stories and production values are at their peak.
It has been FOREVER since I’ve seen the movie. I’m about do for a re-watch. Hopefully a proper Blu-ray will be released soon.