Bastard Swordsman

An earlier Wuxia film that was released in the early 80s at the same time of other movies like Holy Flame of the Martial World,Zu Warriors,Shaolin Prince.The movie is directed by Tony Liu Juk,who has not been recognized like other Chinese directors like Chang Cheh,John Woo,Yuen Woo Ping,Lau Kar Leung,Sammo Hung.

 Bastard Swordsman is a two movie series about two clans at war.Wu Dang and Invincible Clan.Alex Man Chi Leung(New Tales of Flying Fox,Journey of the Doomed,Hidden Power of Dragon Sabre,Tragic Hero) stars as the chief of Invincible Clan.Wong Yung(Supreme Swordsman,Godfather of Canton,Bat without Wings,Proud Twins)stars as the chief of Wu Dang.The Lead actor is Norman Chu AKA Tsiu Siu Keung who has starred in many martial arts movies like Duel to the Death,the Sword with Adam Cheng,36th Chamber,Shaolin Mantis,Hong Kong Godfather,Return of the Deadly Blade,Challenger,Loot,What Price Honesty,Lady Assassin,Fiery Family.He is rejected by the Wu Dang Clan for being a bastard child and is more like a servant who cannot be taught how to fight.

 There are plenty of action scenes wether it is with all types of martial arts weapons and hand to hand combat.There is also some Wire Fu but it is used to the best ability.There are many famous martial artists in the series that play supporting roles that include Wilson Tong(Daggers 8),Sun Chien(5 Venoms),Lo Meng(5 Venoms,Ip Man 2,Gallants)Yuen Tak(the Master,Hero SB),Kwan Feng(Monkey Kung Fu,5 Superfighters),Tony Liu(Human Lanterns,Lady Assassin,Secret Service of Imperial Court.

 This is the review for Funimation dvd and is remastered with both English and Chinese Tracks,Subtitles

Shaolin Plot

 Around the time of the Lau Kar Leung era with movies like Heroes of the East,and 36th Chamber.Director Huang Feng directs his own version about Shaolin monks and Warlords in Shaolin Plot.Huang Feng is famous for his movies worldwide like Hapkido,When Tae Kwon Do Strikes,Bandits from Shantung,Stoner The Tournament,Himalayan.If you seen those films you know that Feng does not dissapoint and brings action to the table.

 Chen Sing is the baddie in this one and it is one of his best bad guy roles as Prince Daglen who is a warlord and wants to take over the martial world by taking on all the clans including Wutang and Shaolin.James Tien plays the son of one of the clan members whose manual is with him and does not want them to have it.He escapes and takes seclusion in Shaolin Temple.

  There are many appereances by many famous martial arts actors in the 70s and 80s they include:Wong Hap,Lam Ching Yin,Kam Kong,Meng Hoi,Yuen Wah,Chung Fat,Yuen Biao,Stephen tung.Sammo is one of the supporting villian characters and action director.It is one of the few films that he's a baddie and his wardrobe is different from his movies.Iron Monkey's Yen Shi Kwan is one of the Emperor's bodyguards along with martial arts actor and stuntman Chin Yuet Sang.As for the good guys the two famous Korean kickers Casanova Wong and Kwan Yung Moon play Shaolin Monks and boy do they show their kicking skills.

 This movie definitely gives a run to many Chang Cheh movies and Sun Chung movies a run for their money.Along with the John Woo masterpiece Last Hurrah For Chivalry.It is a Wuxia all the way with hand to hand combat,and weaponry fighting.A Golden Harvest Classic for sure and to be in your Kung Fu collection.

Mercenaries From Hong Kong (1982)

Before Sylvester Stallone's Expendables,before Eastern Condors,there came an ensemble cast from the East known as the Mercenaries from Hong Kong.This one has the baddest of the Shaw Brothers stars.Led by Ti Lung,Lo Lieh,Johny Wang Lung Wei,Chan Wai Man,Wong Yu,Phillip Ko.Another related movie like this one that was made in Hong Kong in the 80s was the Golden Harvest movie Eastern Condors with Sammo Hung and Yuen Biao

In this movie all of the Shaw Stars mentioned team up to go on a mission in Thailand.They have many different skills that makes them team players,like hand to hand combat,weapons trained,explosive trained.There are all types of action from kung fu to weapons and explosions.Phillip Ko,Yueh Wah,Ngaai Fei and Lee Hoi San play the villians and do a great job at it.

There are three famous action directors to choreograph the action scenes:Tong Gaai(Shaolin Prince),Yuen Bun(Kill a Mastermind),and Wong Pau Gei (Avenging Eagle)

This film is directed by the famous director Wong Jing(Kung Fu Cult Master,City Hunter,Future X Cops)

Avenging Eagle

Avenging Eagle was released in 1978 with an ensemble cast of many famous actors/martial artists.It is directed by Sun Chung who has also the best Kung Fu Wuxia movies ever made.In the 70s there were many directors who did the best Wuxias like Chang Cheh,Chu Yuan,Tony Liu,Lau Kar Leung.Sun Chung'sShaolin Prince directing credits if you dont know include Kill a Mastermind,Kung Fu Instructor 1&2,Fist Full of Talons,Deadly Breaking Sword,Judgement of an Assassin,Proud Youth,Rendezvous with Death.

Ti Lung and Alexander Fu Sheng are the main actors once again after past collaborations in Shaolin Temple,Deadly Breaking Sword,Sentimental Swordsman 2,Ten Tigers from Kwantung.So as you can see they both have gotten good chemistry together. Ku Feng is the leader of the 13 coldblooded eagles and it is one of his best villian performances in his career.The 13 Eagles include many famous actors like Johny Wang Lung,Yuen Bun(Rendezvous with Death,Kill a Mastermind),Dick Wei(Project A),Eddy Ko(Duel to the Death),Lam Fai Wong,Peter Chan,Bruce Tong,Austin Wai,Jaime Luk.

Tong Gaai does the fight choreography and has a small cameo role he also directed three of the best Shaw Kung Fu movies ever:Shaolin Prince,Shaolin Intruders,Opium and the Kung Fu Master.

This is a review from the Dragon Dynasty and it is the best version out there,it looks very clear and has good coloring.It includes both Mandarin Audio Track and English Dub.