This is a classic kung fu flick that engages, despite its cheesy acting. It's an iconic example of many of the elements that exemplify the best of kung fu flicks. You get signature moves, training sequences, bloody battles and some supernatural skills. But underneath all the conventions is a surprisingly compelling story, which the viewer quickly gets wrapped up in.
Yang Tieh (Sheng Chiang, KID WITH THE GOLDEN ARM) is the last student of the Five Deadly Venom’s master. He is sent out to locate the master’s former students and recover a treasure, which they might steal. The kung fu masters never knew each other because they trained wearing masks. #1 – Centipede (Feng Lu, DAREDEVILS), #2 – Snake (Pai Wei, INVINCIBLE SHAOLIN), #3 - Scorpion (Chien Sun, DESTORYERS), #4 – Lizard (Philip Kwok, THE STORY OF RICKY) and #5 – Toad (Meng Lo, HARD-BOILED) are the students.
Centipede and Snake meet and team up to steal the treasure by any means necessary. Lizard and Toad knew each other from their training and strike up a new friendship. However, political corruption, especially from the chief judge (Lung Wei Wang, DIRTY HO) leads to Toad being tried for a murder he didn’t commit.
You can see the influence that this film had on Quentin Tarantino’s KILL BILL series or even films like CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON or HERO. The political intrigue and the mystery of Scorpion’s true identity are fascinating. The kung fu action is a treat. The story doesn’t play out like one may expect. This is a classic kung fu tale that succeeds despite itself.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
