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Well lets see.... There are over 800 Shaw Brothers movies and of that, maybe 50 cut the list as worth watching for one reason or another. Of that number, less than 10 will make the cut as excellent Kung Fu. But the top 5.... woof! The fighting has to be second to none. Here is a case where the story does not necessarily kill the movie if it is bad.
Well, what could be that phenominal. Practicing myself since 1972 and being a second generation Bruce Lee instructor, it takes alot. Just hold these Gordon Liu movies alongside any other fight scenes in any other Shaw Brothers Movies and the timing, speed, strength, and stage presence will pale.
Quite simply, It is 36th Chamber of Shaolin for training, Heores of the East for the most amazing choreographed fight scenes, and showcasing real Hung Gar Gung Fu vs. Judo, Karate Ninjitsu, tasseled spear vs. spear, 3 sectional vs. nunchaku and sai, Samurai Sword vs. broadsword and butterfly swords vs. sai.
But!! if you want to see the tasseled spear used beyond what you saw in Heroes of the East, then 8 diagram pole fighter is the 3rd movie to put in your collection.... Period! The story is pulsating and dark. It is devastating in its violence. And Gordon Lius' use of the tasseled spear is simply the best pole work you will see. And I am not talking about spectatcular Wu Fu kung fu movies using Wushu. I am referring to shear insane, ballistic and angry-vengeful fighting. You would think the wood on the spear was going to explode from the shear power with which Gordon Wields it. It is what it is "The best tasseled spear work put on film. Out of 1200 or so total old school kung fu movies made. Even it its not your favorite story, as a study in REAL Spearwork you will never need to view another person wielding one to get your entertainment.
Want the last 2 on my list to bring in the top 5 for Sheer real fighting? Well its also Gordon Lius'. Shaoin vs. Wu Tang... with tons of great fights and one of the best opening Shaw Brothers credits. And, fifth on our list of simply the best top 5 is.....Well... there is no 5th. The fighting and training in these 4 movies are stand alone. However, Fists and Guts has one of the best weapons fight scenes midway through. That fight looks like it was choreographed into Heroes of the East.
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Another tooth-shattering Shaw Brothers title gets an upgrade!
The wave of Shaw Brothers films continues – as does the online argument about which titles are most essential – with Arrow Video’s Blu-ray release of The 8 Diagram Pole Fighter, the studio’s 1983 spear-poking, eye-gouging, tooth-shattering ballet of kung fu artistry. While the formula was growing a bit tired at this point, there’s still some amazing choreography and physical prowess on display in nearly every scene.The plot certainly doesn’t break any new ground. After suffering a crushing defeat in battle, the two surviving brothers of the Yang family go into hiding; the PTSD-afflicted 6th son under the protection of his sisters, while the 5th joins a monastery to train for his revenge. While the treacherous Mongols search the kingdom for the remaining brothers, the Yang sisters enter the fray to restore the family name.The death of Alexander Fu Sheng (who plays the 6th son) necessitated a reshuffling of the plot, leaving his character’s story unfulfilled and completely left out of the finale. But what a finale! Director Lau Kar-leung certainly saves the best for last, staging a gymnastic free-for-all peppered with some stunning moments of violence (particularly the aforementioned teeth smashing). Star Gordon Liu is also on top of his game, selling the fight scenes with righteous fury. Together they turn a rather pedestrian entry from the studio into something that can still leave audiences black and blue.Arrow’s Blu-ray special edition is just as gorgeous as their previous Shaw Brothers releases, sporting a new 2K restoration that looks as bright and colorful as an Ultra HD upgrade. Extras includes a commentary, video appreciation, interview, Fu Sheng tribute film and trailers.
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on September 17, 2013
- Reviewed in the United States on November 11, 2020
Top reviews from other countries
- ZakReviewed in Australia on April 28, 2022
Not the same product in photo of advertisement
- MikeReviewed in Canada on October 28, 2024
One of the best kung fu movies I've ever seen
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- MitchReviewed in the United Kingdom on November 25, 2022
One of the best films ever about.......(click bait)
- RedMcCReviewed in Canada on February 2, 2017
"I also kick like kung-fu flicks by Run Run Shaw"
