Member DragonClaws Posted March 23, 2017 Member Share Posted March 23, 2017 Derek Yee, in a shot from Shaolin Prince(1983) scripted by Wong Jing. This is a similar idea to what I did in the modern martial arts film forums, only that thread was about 90's Hong Kong cinema. While I have watched a lot of Shaw Brothers movies. There are many fans here who have watched far more of the studios work. It would be great if the more experienced Shaw fans, could share with others their own personal top ten lists. I just ask one thing, please try not to list any of the well known titles such as Fying Guillotine(1974), Five Deadly Venoms(1978) etc. If you cant list ten titles, thats no problem just list what you can. This is not supposed to be a really serious topic, but just a bit of fun between fans of the genre. I shall opt out of writing a list of ten titles, becuase I've only watched more well known Shaw productions that are well known among fans. Thought this might be a good way for me and other fans to find out more about lesser known titles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member AgriWuxia Posted March 25, 2017 Member Share Posted March 25, 2017 Not sure that I qualify as an experienced Shaw fan as I only discovered the Celestial catalogue at the very end of the official release schedule. However, eight years of viewing may count for something. The following lesser known films are, in my humble opinion, worthy of consideration for any viewer wishing to delve further into the Shaw martial art catalogue. Presented in no particular order, and with a brief synopsis. A Deadly Secret (1980). Wuxia/Kung Fu. A prisoner is routinely tortured by a depraved magistrate in order to learn details of a superior fighting technique. Underpinned by a tragic love story. (A very dark interpretation of the genre). Stars Yueh Hua and Shih Szu. Directed by Mou Tun-Fei. The Iron Buddha (1970). Wuxia. A serial rapist murders virtually all members of a martial arts school, as payback for being permanently scarred by the schools martial arts master when caught committing an earlier rape. A sole surviving student seeks vengeance. (Excellent portrayal of good vs evil). Stars Ling Yun and Wong Chung-Shun. Directed by Yen Chun. Duel For Gold (1971). Wuxia. Two sisters pose as acrobats, with the intention of infiltrating and pillaging a Security Bureau. (An introspective study of the corrupting influence of greed on a band of thieves). Stars Ivy Ling-Po, Lo Lieh and Wang Ping. Directed by Chu Yuan. The Fastest Sword (1968). Wuxia. A master swordsman is taught humility by a wise hermit. Realising the futility of pointless bloodshed, his desire to lead a simpler life is thwarted by his past reputation. (An introspective look at the harsh reality of living in the Wuxia world). Stars Liu Ping and Chu Jing. Directed by Pan Lei. Finger Of Doom (1972). Wuxia/Horror. Three brothers get caught up in a sorceress' pursuit of her renegade sister. (A grounded blend of the two genres). Stars Ivy Ling Po, Chin Han and Po Chin-Hsien. Directed by Pao Hsueh Li. Dragon Swamp (1969). Wuxia. The desire to possess the Jade Dragon Sword results in a family feud spanning 20 years. (Good action within a story focused on character development). Stars Cheng Pei Pei (in two roles!), Yueh Hua and Lo Lieh. Directed by Lo Wei. Lady With A Sword (1971). Wuxia. A swordswoman's search for the man who murdered her sister leads to a shocking revelation. (Plenty of emotional impact to complement the innovative fight scenes of the time. A female directors interpretation of the genre). Stars Lily Ho and Meng Yuen-Man. Directed by Kao Pao-Shu. The Condemned (1976). Kung Fu. A petty thief falls foul of a criminal gang. With help from a fellow prisoner they set out to eliminate the gang, but at a terrible personal cost. (David Chiang is very believable in this role as a pickpocket). Also stars Tsai Hung and Lily Li. Directed by David Chiang. The Casino (1972). Gambling. Two former lovers are reunited. The attempt to remove the corruption inherent in the local casino comes at a terrible personal cost. (A good portrayal of the effects of gambling on the patrons, laced with interesting gambling sequences). Stars Lily Ho and Yueh Hua. Directed by Chang Tseng-Chai. Holy Flame Of The Martial World (1983). Fantasy. Two siblings are separated, and raised by competing Kung Fu masters, when there parents are killed in a fight for the Holy Flame - a powerful martial arts weapon. (A wild ride from start to finish). Stars Liu Hsueh-Hua, Mok Siu-Chung and Pai Piao. Directed by Lu Chun-Ku. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member ShawAngela Posted March 25, 2017 Member Share Posted March 25, 2017 I don't remember to have read much comments on the following movies, but in my opinion, they are very good and worth watching. Twelve deadly coins : Lo Lieh, Ching Li The young avenger : Shih Szu, Yueh Hua Raw courage : Cheng Pei Pei, Yueh Hua Twelve gold medallions : Chin Ping, Yueh Hua My son : Tieng Feng, Wang Yu The gambling syndicate : Danny Lee, Ku Feng The master of kung fu : Ku Feng ; very rare to see him as the main actor of a Shaws' movie, and he does a great job Death Valley : Yueh Hua The thundering sword : Cheng Pei Pei, Lo Lieh The shadow whip : Cheng Pei Pei, Yueh Hua Heroes of Sung : Shih Szu, Lo Lieh Valley of the fangs : Lo Lieh The rescue : Lo Lieh The dragon missile : Liu Yung, Lo Lieh The web of death : Lo Lieh Oups, these are more than 10 titles !! And there are so many other ones... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member reason108 Posted March 26, 2017 Member Share Posted March 26, 2017 What are the magic ingredients that will propel a movie into everyone`s top 10 list whilst other movies that are just as good or better rot in obscurity? Perhaps, there is that undefinable element that just makes it slightly miss the mark. Or, perhaps it is the timing of its release? Either way, these movies deserve their place in Shaw Brothers` history. They should not be forgotten. Here is my Top 10 or 25: The Kung Fu Instructor - a Ti Lung tour-de-force. it has action and a good story. this one should be more well known than what it is. To Kill a Mastermind Cat vs Rat - a Lau Kar-leung film, kung-fu comedy at its annoying best The Devil`s Mirror Judgement of an Assassin Revenge of the Corpse Rendezvous with Death The Vengeful Beauty - a sequel to Flying Guillotine from its director, Meng Hua Ho Legend of the Fox - a lesser known great from director Chang Cheh Pursuit of Vengeance A Deadly Secret Swordsman and Enchantress Heroes Shed No Tears - probably my favorite Fu Sheng movie The Enchantress The Lady Assassin The Imperial Swordsman The Black Tavern The Proud Youth The Deadly Breaking Sword The Kid with a Tattoo Opium and the Kung Fu Master Bloody Parrot - a Chor Yuen style movie directed by Hua Shan, but bloodier and sleazier - perfect for 88 Films Portrait in Crystal - another Chor Yuen style movie but directed Hua Shan, but sleazier with full-on nudity - would be perfect for 88 Films Bastard Swordsman That Man in Chang-An Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member DragonClaws Posted March 26, 2017 Author Member Share Posted March 26, 2017 On 25/03/2017 at 9:07 AM, AgriWuxia said: Not sure that I qualify as an experienced Shaw fan as I only discovered the Celestial catalogue at the very end of the official release schedule. However, eight years of viewing may count for something. The following lesser known films are, in my humble opinion, worthy of consideration for any viewer wishing to delve further into the Shaw martial art catalogue. Presented in no particular order, and with a brief synopsis. 20 hours ago, ShawAngela said: I don't remember to have read much comments on the following movies, but in my opinion, they are very good and worth watching. 8 hours ago, reason108 said: Here is my Top 10 or 25: Thanks for taking the time to reply @ShawAngela, @AgriWuxia @reason108, enjoyed reading your responses. 8 hours ago, reason108 said: What are the magic ingredients that will propel a movie into everyone`s top 10 list whilst other movies that are just as good or better rot in obscurity? Perhaps, there is that undefinable element that just makes it slightly miss the mark. Or, perhaps it is the timing of its release? Thats a good question Reason108. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Tex Killer Posted March 28, 2017 Member Share Posted March 28, 2017 the mighty one devils mirror golden knight usurpers of emperors power bloody escape new tales of flying fox vengeance of a snowgirl flying dagger deadly secret the eunuch There are several more of course but those came to mind without looking at dvd shelf... Edit to fill the 10.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member DragonClaws Posted April 6, 2017 Author Member Share Posted April 6, 2017 Anyone else feel they could create an altrnative top ten list of Shaw Brothers titles?. It doesnt matter if you list title's that people have already mentioned. Thai poster for Holy Flame Of The Martial World(1983). A title from @AgriWuxia contribution/list. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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