Member ben Posted September 5, 2010 Member Share Posted September 5, 2010 hello, i'm just beginning to search further into the Shaw brothers catalogue and was seeking some recommendations i generally enjoy darker, more violent movies, whether they are period films or contemporary crime/police dramas some examples of films of this nature that i enjoyed include 'boxer from shantung', 'man of iron', 'the teahouse', 'killer constable'; films that i haven't seen yet but i have read about elsewhere included 'vengeance' (david chiang), 'men from the gutter', 'brothers from the walled city' further, it might be a long shot but i wonder if there are any shaw brothers films that could be considered an equivalent to the works of some notable Japanese directors such as Seijun Suzuki or Kinji Fukusaku, not necessarily in terms of direction but atmosphere, chaotic action etc. for example along the lines of "youth of the beast", "battles without honor and humanity" any suggestions would be appreciated. thanks for your help Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Sandpalm79 Posted September 5, 2010 Member Share Posted September 5, 2010 hello, i'm just beginning to search further into the Shaw brothers catalogue and was seeking some recommendations i generally enjoy darker, more violent movies, whether they are period films or contemporary crime/police dramas some examples of films of this nature that i enjoyed include 'boxer from shantung', 'man of iron', 'the teahouse', 'killer constable'; films that i haven't seen yet but i have read about elsewhere included 'vengeance' (david chiang), 'men from the gutter', 'brothers from the walled city' further, it might be a long shot but i wonder if there are any shaw brothers films that could be considered an equivalent to the works of some notable Japanese directors such as Seijun Suzuki or Kinji Fukusaku, not necessarily in terms of direction but atmosphere, chaotic action etc. for example along the lines of "youth of the beast", "battles without honor and humanity" any suggestions would be appreciated. thanks for your help When you say Darker, id 100% agree with Vengeance masked avengers flag of iron five elemental ninja Id have to say that chang cheh is the master of dark violent films. liu chia liang ( 36th chamber) has a more lighthearted style etc hope this helps@! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member ben Posted September 6, 2010 Author Member Share Posted September 6, 2010 sandpalm thanks, yes these suggestions are what i wanted Chang Cheh has so many other movies i don't know where to start yes i did list 'vengeance' but unfortunately i haven't seen it yet because i can't find any DVDs for purchase, all out of stock, and i don't want to get a bootleg with english dub.. funimation or tokyo shock or one of those companies should re-release it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Morgoth Bauglir Posted September 6, 2010 Member Share Posted September 6, 2010 Some great dark SB films out there. My favorite kind of movie. Killer Constable is definitely one of the darkest. Here’s some others- What Price Honesty? Avenging Eagle Eight Diagram Pole Fighter HK Godfather Bells of Death Intimiate Confessions of a Chinese Courtesan The Kiss of Death The Master Strikes Back Human Lanterns The Blood Brothers Delightful Forest Soul of the Sword Duel for Gold Iron Chain Assassin Seeding of a Ghost (non martial arts) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Athena Posted September 6, 2010 Member Share Posted September 6, 2010 Some great dark SB films out there. My favorite kind of movie. Killer Constable is definitely one of the darkest. Here’s some others- What Price Honesty? Avenging Eagle Eight Diagram Pole Fighter HK Godfather Bells of Death Intimiate Confessions of a Chinese Courtesan The Kiss of Death The Master Strikes Back Human Lanterns The Blood Brothers Delightful Forest Soul of the Sword Duel for Gold Iron Chain Assassin Seeding of a Ghost (non martial arts) Great list Morgoth !! The best of the best of them are : Soul of the Sword ! Seeding of a Ghost ! Intimate Confessions of a Chinese Courtesan ! Human Lanterns ! & Killer Constable !! Blood Brothers was not that DARK too me..Maybe Warlords ( remake ) but not BB ... BTW Morgoth , your signature picture is mystagogueing :tongue:again ... Xiexie Athena ..♥ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member ben Posted September 6, 2010 Author Member Share Posted September 6, 2010 Morgoth thank you for the list, I will take a look at those Any more suggestions will be appreciated Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Morgoth Bauglir Posted September 6, 2010 Member Share Posted September 6, 2010 Your list is good Athena, I admit, but my list (of my list) of the darkest of the dark is better:xd: What Price Honesty (the one that tops them all) HK Godfather Killer Constable (the one you managed to get right:angel:) The Master Strikes Back (not much fighting, and even the fighting that is there isn't that great. But damn it is dark!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Fang Shih-yu Posted September 6, 2010 Member Share Posted September 6, 2010 @Morgoth: Don't forget The Delinquent! The last part of it is very dark, especially the unforgettable ending! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Morgoth Bauglir Posted September 6, 2010 Member Share Posted September 6, 2010 @Morgoth: Don't forget The Delinquent! The last part of it is very dark, especially the unforgettable ending! There are some Shaws (actually a couple hundred) that I haven't seen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Fang Shih-yu Posted September 6, 2010 Member Share Posted September 6, 2010 There are some Shaws (actually a couple hundred) that I haven't seen. OK! It was co-directed by Chang Cheh and Kuei Chi-hung; the latter guy directed The Killer Snakes and Corpsemania! Both directors' styles are palpably seen here, and Wang Chung gives a very noteworthy performance! You'll see it someday, no doubt! I've a ways to go on watching Shaws, compared to you! I still haven't even tried a full-blown Chinese opera yet! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member venoms5 Posted September 6, 2010 Member Share Posted September 6, 2010 HUMAN LANTERNS WHAT PRICE HONESTY KILLER CONSTABLE THE DELINQUENT FLYING GUILLOTINE 2 THE MASTER STRIKES BACK AVENGING EAGLE THE CASINO SECRET SERVICE OF THE IMPERIAL COURT THE JADE TIGER DUEL FOR GOLD THE DUEL VENGEANCE! THE ANONYMOUS HEROES (Starts out as a light hearted action movie with a bit of violence, but turns deadly serious at the end) MEN FROM THE GUTTER THE KISS OF DEATH LOST SOULS THE EIGHT DIAGRAM POLE FIGHTER Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member ben Posted September 6, 2010 Author Member Share Posted September 6, 2010 Thank you all for your suggestions, especially with "The Delinquent", thats one I was thinking of but couldn't remember the name, and the likes of "Men from the Gutter" as aforementioned. I prefer these type of movies over the comedy-kung fu actioners, which is why I am missing many films that others may consider seminal to the genre overall. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member greenfan Posted September 6, 2010 Member Share Posted September 6, 2010 If you have not already, you HAVE TO, HAVE TO get on 'What Price Honesty?' and 'Secret Service of the Imperial Court'. If you want dark exploitation grimyness then I wholeheartedly recommend 'Big Bad Sis'. Excellent film directed by Sun Chung - did the man ever make a bad film? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member ben Posted September 6, 2010 Author Member Share Posted September 6, 2010 If you have not already, you HAVE TO, HAVE TO get on 'What Price Honesty?' and 'Secret Service of the Imperial Court'. If you want dark exploitation grimyness then I wholeheartedly recommend 'Big Bad Sis'. Excellent film directed by Sun Chung - did the man ever make a bad film? Thanks, yes I have the first two you mentioned. I don't think I got through "What Price Honesty" yet but have seen "Secret Service of the Imperial Court". Haven't seen "Big Bad Sis". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Iron Boat Posted September 6, 2010 Member Share Posted September 6, 2010 Some great dark SB films out there. My favorite kind of movie. Killer Constable is definitely one of the darkest. Here’s some others- What Price Honesty? Avenging Eagle Eight Diagram Pole Fighter HK Godfather Bells of Death Intimiate Confessions of a Chinese Courtesan The Kiss of Death The Master Strikes Back Human Lanterns The Blood Brothers Delightful Forest Soul of the Sword Duel for Gold Iron Chain Assassin Seeding of a Ghost (non martial arts)Great List, I might even throw in a few One Armed Swordsman films and Black Tavern based on mood. Also if you like Chen Kuan Tai in particular pick up Iron Monkey '77, Big Boss of Shanghai, The Flying Guillotine and Opium and the Kung Fu Master. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Morgoth Bauglir Posted September 7, 2010 Member Share Posted September 7, 2010 Some more good dark older non shaws- Love and Sword Iron Swallow Sixty Second Assassin Iron Dragon Strikes Back The Damned Tiger Over Wall The Sword (both the Wang Yu and Adam Cheng versions) King of Kings Writing Kung Fu The Master and the Kid Shaolin Traitor Rebellious Reign Postman Strikes Back Heroes of Shaolin Undaunted Wudang Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member ben Posted September 7, 2010 Author Member Share Posted September 7, 2010 Great List, I might even throw in a few One Armed Swordsman films and Black Tavern based on mood. Also if you like Chen Kuan Tai in particular pick up Iron Monkey '77, Big Boss of Shanghai, The Flying Guillotine and Opium and the Kung Fu Master. Thank you, yes Chen Kuan Tai is probably my favourite Shaw Brothers actor. I have "Big Boss of Shanghai" but yet to see the others. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member ben Posted September 7, 2010 Author Member Share Posted September 7, 2010 Some more good dark older non shaws- Love and Sword Iron Swallow Sixty Second Assassin Iron Dragon Strikes Back The Damned Tiger Over Wall The Sword (both the Wang Yu and Adam Cheng versions) King of Kings Writing Kung Fu The Master and the Kid Shaolin Traitor Rebellious Reign Postman Strikes Back Heroes of Shaolin Undaunted Wudang Thank you again Morgoth for more recommendations. I've only seen two of those. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member KyFi Posted September 7, 2010 Member Share Posted September 7, 2010 hello, i'm just beginning to search further into the Shaw brothers catalogue and was seeking some recommendations i generally enjoy darker, more violent movies, whether they are period films or contemporary crime/police dramas some examples of films of this nature that i enjoyed include 'boxer from shantung', 'man of iron', 'the teahouse', 'killer constable'; films that i haven't seen yet but i have read about elsewhere included 'vengeance' (david chiang), 'men from the gutter', 'brothers from the walled city' further, it might be a long shot but i wonder if there are any shaw brothers films that could be considered an equivalent to the works of some notable Japanese directors such as Seijun Suzuki or Kinji Fukusaku, not necessarily in terms of direction but atmosphere, chaotic action etc. for example along the lines of "youth of the beast", "battles without honor and humanity" any suggestions would be appreciated. thanks for your help That's funny, as a longtime Shaw fan, it's just been this last year that I've started exploring Nikkatsu action and Seijun Suzuki. Some Shaws that might be along those lines: set in more modern times: Vengeance The Duel The Savage Five Five Tough Guys The Singing Killer Also, Shaws brought over a couple of Japanese directors who had explicitly worked on Japanese action movies of the 60s---I don't remember the Japanese name of the guy, but I believe the Shaw movie The Black Falcon was one of those movies. I haven't seen it, but it's on my list and I think it might be similar to what you're looking for. Here's The Singing Killer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzKz9oV54Qw For period pieces that might have a similar vibe: Have Sword, Will Travel Duel for Gold Soul of the Sword Avenging Eagle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Iron Boat Posted September 7, 2010 Member Share Posted September 7, 2010 Thank you, yes Chen Kuan Tai is probably my favourite Shaw Brothers actor. I have "Big Boss of Shanghai" but yet to see the others.We are in agreement, CKT is also my favorite Shaw Star, Iron Monkey ranks with Boxer From Shantung imo, in addition to the films I mentioned also take a look at the Bloody Escape and Iron Fists (Shaolin King Boxer) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member ben Posted September 7, 2010 Author Member Share Posted September 7, 2010 We are in agreement, CKT is also my favorite Shaw Star, Iron Monkey ranks with Boxer From Shantung imo, in addition to the films I mentioned also take a look at the Bloody Escape and Iron Fists (Shaolin King Boxer) Yes, I will do that, I hope I can fill my collection with more of his films as money permits. "Boxer from Shantung" is a classic. Thanks for your recommendations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member ben Posted September 7, 2010 Author Member Share Posted September 7, 2010 That's funny, as a longtime Shaw fan, it's just been this last year that I've started exploring Nikkatsu action and Seijun Suzuki. Some Shaws that might be along those lines: set in more modern times: Vengeance The Duel The Savage Five Five Tough Guys The Singing Killer Also, Shaws brought over a couple of Japanese directors who had explicitly worked on Japanese action movies of the 60s---I don't remember the Japanese name of the guy, but I believe the Shaw movie The Black Falcon was one of those movies. I haven't seen it, but it's on my list and I think it might be similar to what you're looking for. Here's The Singing Killer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzKz9oV54Qw For period pieces that might have a similar vibe: Have Sword, Will Travel Duel for Gold Soul of the Sword Avenging Eagle Thanks, yes this is one of the reasons for my post, aside from my interest in Japanese films of that period, I heard some Japanese directors might have worked on Shaw films but I don't have any names to go with and I didn't consider that their names would be translated into Chinese. So the director of "Black Falcon" Furukawa Takumi did "Cruel Gun Story" with Joe Shishido, and also did another Shaw film called "Kiss and Kill", but it seems to be unreleased? Anybody know of other Japanese directors that worked on Shaw films? Would be interesting to see. On a side note, as a James Bond fan I hope I'll get around to seeing all these James Bond ripoffs they produced. Thanks again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Morgoth Bauglir Posted September 8, 2010 Member Share Posted September 8, 2010 bengs I'l try to make this my last post on this thread so that you don't have to spend too much money:tongue: Just wondering if you have seen Rendezvous with Death. Chen Kuan Tai is amazing in it. Without him I think the movie would have been just a little above average, but because of him I consider it a great movie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member ben Posted September 8, 2010 Author Member Share Posted September 8, 2010 Morgoth, please keep sharing your recommendations, I am saving a list. Obviously I can't afford everything but it gives me an idea if I want to order more in future. I have heard of that film and will consider it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Iron Boat Posted September 8, 2010 Member Share Posted September 8, 2010 RwD is my fav Wang Yu flic.Really!? All I ever think when I watch it is how much better it would be without Wang Yu, with that said I did like him a lot in Proud Youth, my favorite Wang Yu flic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.