Category Archives: Shaw Brothers

Executioners from Shaolin | aka Shaolin Executioner (1977) Review

"Executioners from Shaolin" Chinese Theatrical Poster

AKA: Executioners of Death Director: Lau Kar-leung Cast: Chen Kuan Tai, Lo Lieh, Lily Li Li Li, Wong Yu, Kong Do, Hsiao Ho, Cheng Hong Yip, John Cheung, Shum Lo, Gordon Liu, Fung Hak On, Fung Ming, John Cheung, Wilson Tong, Peter Chan Lung, Lam Ching Ying Running Time: 96 mins. By HKFanatic Tonally, this film is all over the place even for a Shaw Brothers movie. The story opens … Continue reading

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Mad Monkey Kung Fu (1979) Review

"Mad Monkey Kung Fu" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Liu Chia Liang Writer: I Kuang Cast: Hsiao Ho, Lau Kar Leung, Lo Lieh, Kara Hui, Ching Chu, San Sin, Lam Fai Wong, Lin Ke Ming, Chan Ling Wai, Wong Ching Ho, Cham Siu Hung Running Time: 116 min. By HKFanatic This 1979 kung fu film starring Hsiao Ho and Lau Kar-leung is another minor masterpiece from the Shaw Brothers. At nearly two hours long, this movie stuffs in … Continue reading

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Shaolin Temple 3 | aka Martial Arts of Shaolin (1986) Review

"Martial Arts of Shaolin" Chinese Theatrical Poster

AKA: Shaolin North & South Director: Lau Kar-leung Cast: Jet Li, Wong Chau Yin, Hu Jian Qiang, Yu Cheng Hui, Yu Hai, Sun Jian Kui, Ji Chun Hua, Mak Wai Cheung, Wong Kwong-Kuen, Hu Mei-Jie Running Time: 89 min. By HKFanatic Released in 1986, “Martial Arts of Shaolin” is the latest era Shaw Brothers film I’ve yet to see. I’m not an expert on the Shaw Brothers like many City … Continue reading

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Magic Blade, The (1976) Review

"The Magic Blade" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Chor Yuen Cast: Ti Lung, Lo Lieh, Guk Fung, Tang Ching, Cheng Lee, Lily Li Li-Li, Fan Mei Sheng, Chan Shen, Cheng Miu, Goo Goon Chung, Ha Ping, Lau Wai Ling, Norman Chu, Yuen Wah, Tim Lei, Wong Pau Gei, Alan Chui Chung San Running Time: 93 min. By Joe909 Magic Blade hits the ground running and doesn’t let up for its first hour. From the opening challenge between … Continue reading

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Cat vs. Rat (1982) Review

"Cat vs. Rat" Chinese Theatrical Poster

AKA: Cat Versus Rat Director: Lau Kar Leung Cast: Alexander Fu Sheng, Adam Cheng, Hsiao Ho, Kara Hui Ying Hung, Lau Kar Wing, Gordon Liu, Lydia Shum, Lam Fai Wong, Johnny Wang, Lung Tien Hsiang Running TIme: 92 min. By JJ Hatfield This is an unusual Shaw Brothers movie, especially considering the director was Lui Chia-Liang. The company apparently was looking at more comedy boosting the kung fu and old … Continue reading

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One-Armed Swordsman, The (1967) Review

"The One-Armed Swordsman" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Chang Cheh Producer: Runme Shaw Cast: Jimmy Wang Yu, Pan Yingzi, Chiao Chiao, Wong Chung Shun, Tin Fung, Guk Fung, Liu Chia Liang, Yeung Chi Hing, Chen Yan Yan, Fan Mei Sheng, Wong Kwong Yue, Tong Gaai, Gai Yuen, Cliff Lok, Yen Shi-Kwan Running Time: 110 min. By JJ Hatfield When I first saw this film I was certain it would be bad. Absolutely terrible. I have seen enough … Continue reading

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Teahouse, The | aka The Tea House (1974) Review

Director: Kuei Chih Hung Writer: Sze To On Producer: Runme Shaw Cast: Chen Kuan Tai, Yeung Chi Hing, Lee Sau Kei, Karen Yip Ling Chi, Ha Ping, Cheung Chok Chow, Shum Lo, Fung King Man, Chung Chaan Chi, Yeung Chak Lam, Wong Yu, Chan Laap Ban, Chan Mei Hua, Chan Shen, Ching Gong, Fan Mei Sheng Running Time: 96 min. By JJ Hatfield “The Teahouse” is a story on film … Continue reading

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Crazy Shaolin Disciples | aka Enter the 36th Chamber of Shaolin (1985) Review

Director: Yau Fung Hung Cast: Wong Yu, Chin Siu Ho, Gordon Liu Chia Hui, Lo Meng, Lo Lieh, May Cheung Choi Mei, Chun Wong, Philip Kwok Chung Fung, Yuen Qiu, Lee Hoi San Running Time: 87 min. By JJ Hatfield I would prefer to primarily review only good films. However there are times a viewer warning should be advised when movies pretend to be something they are not. This is … Continue reading

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Disciples of the 36th Chamber | aka Disciples of the Master Killer (1985) Review

"Disciples of the 36th Chamber" Chinese Theatrical Poster

AKA: Master Killer 3 Director: Lau Kar Leung Cast: Hsiao Ho, Gordon Liu Chia Hui, Lily Li Li Li, Jason Pai Piao, Lau Kar Leung, Lee Hoi San, Yeung Sai Gwan, Shum Lo, Lau Siu Kwan, Yeung Chi Hing Running Time: 89 min. By JJ Hatfield Disciples of the 36th Chamber is one of the all time best films of the genre! This was essentially the last of the fantastic … Continue reading

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Return to the 36th Chamber | aka Return of the Master Killer (1980) Review

AKA: Master Killer 2 Director: Lau Kar Leung Writer: Ni Kuang Producer: Run Run Shaw Cast: Gordon Liu Chia Hui, Johnny Wang Lung Wei, Hsiao Ho, Kong Do, Kwan Yung Moon, Ching Chu, Kara Hui Ying Hung, Bruce Lai, Yeung Jing Jing, Wong Ching Ho Running Time: 99 min. By JJ Hatfield After the astounding success of The 36th Chamber of Shaolin there were two sequels planned by the Shaw … Continue reading

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36th Chamber of Shaolin | aka Master Killer (1978) Review

"36th Chamber of Shaolin" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Lau Kar-Leung Writer: Ni Kuang Cast: Gordon Liu, Lo Lieh, Lau Kar Wing, Wilson Tong, Wong Yu, Lee Hoi San, Henry Yu, Hon Gwok Choi, Wai Wang, Austin Wai, Aai Dung Gwa, Billy Chan, Peter Chan, Chan Shen, Chan Si Gaai, Cheung Chok Chow Running Time: 115 min. By JJ Hatfield This film is far more than just another Shaolin monk tale. Several things combined to propel this movie … Continue reading

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14 Amazons, The | aka The Fourteen Amazons (1972) Review

"The 14 Amazons" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Cheng Kang Co-director: Charles Tung Cast: Lily Ho Li Li, Ivy Ling Po, Li Ching, Yueh Hua, Lisa Lu Yan, Tina Chin Fei, Karen Yip Ling Chi, Wong Ping, Ha Ping, Lam Jing, Chan Shen, Chen Yan Yan Running Time: 117 min. By JJ Hatfield This is a wonderful old school film from the Shaw Brothers. Truly an epic, the plot and characters are a small part of the … Continue reading

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Chinatown Kid (1977) Review

"Chinatown Kid" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Director: Chang Cheh Producer: Run Run Shaw Cast: Alexander Fu Sheng, Shirley Yu, Siu Yam Yam, Philip Kwok, Lo Meng, Chiang Sheng, Sun Chien, Jenny Tseng, Wong Lik, Johnny Wang, Jamie Luk Running Time: 120 min. By Jeff Bona After getting into trouble with both the Hong Kong police and the local crime syndicate (headed by Johnny Wang Lung-Wei), Tang Dong (Alexander Fu Sheng) heads to San Francisco to hide … Continue reading

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King Boxer | aka 5 Fingers of Death (1972) Review

"King Boxer" Chinese Theatrical Poster

AKA: Invincible Boxer, Iron Palm Director: Jeong Chang Hwa Cast: Lo Lieh, Tung Lam, James Nam Gung Fan, Fang Mien, Wong Chin Feng, Wong Ping, Tien Feng, Chiu Hung, Goo Man Chung, Chan Shen, Chan Chuen Running Time: 102 min. By Joe909 I love cityonfire.com, but I’ve noticed there’s just a widespread disrespect for old-school martial arts movies on this site. Spoiled by “New Wave” slickness and stuntman Jackie Chan’s … Continue reading

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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 … Continue reading

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