Legendary Weapons of China

One of the greatest Kung Fu Films - directed by a true master of Chinese Martial Arts and cinema...

The Yi Ho Society wrongly think that their magic and pugilism skills will protect them from any weapon, including the guns used by the West. Lei Kung (Chia-Liang Liu) realises that this belief will only result in senseless bloodshed and attempts to dissolve the society to save lives. In doing so, he is branded a traitor and is hunted by several of Yi Ho's best fighters. I love weapons work in kung fu films and Legendary Weapons of China naturally features lots of it, mostly in the second half; unfortunately, the movie also has rather a lot of comedy (in the first half), something that I always struggle with in kung fu films, making the film as a whole something of a mixed bag for me: desperately unfunny nonsense for the best part of an hour, but ending on a high with plenty of crazy fight action employing the eighteen main weapons of Chinese martial arts: rope dart, double tiger hook swords, double hammers, battle axe, snake halberd, kwan dao, twin broadswords, double-edged sword, Chinese spear, three-section chain whip, double daggers, double crutches, monk's spade, staff, tiger fork, rattan shield, single butterfly sword and three-section staff. Also adding to the fun are the film's sillier weapons, including booby trapped capes and explosive darts, and some really daft moments, best bits being a bonkers fight in the rain and the unforgettable sight of two warriors mutilating themselves, the first poking his own eyes out and the other ripping his goolies off! 5.5 out of 10, rounded up to 6 for IMDb-not the classic of the genre that I had expected, but entertaining enough.

LEGENDARY WEAPONS OF CHINA is another 'style over substance' kung fu epic from Liu Chia Liang, coming to the end of his tenure at Shaw with a second wind of minor classics. This one assembles all of his favourite cast members (Gordon Liu, Kara Hui, Hsiao Ho) for a good mix of wacky comedy and fantastically choreographed action. After a dramatic opening we move to some weird comedy for the next hour, featuring guest star Alexander Fu Sheng mugging for all his worth in a tale of magic vs. Kung fu. The last 45 minutes is pure demonstration of the form with near-constant top-tier combat using all manner of weaponry. Great spectacle here.

Written, directed and starring Lau Kar-leung (Executioners From Shaolin, Drunken Master II, Return to the 36th Chamber), Legendary Weapons of China has eighteen different weapons, including the rope dart, double tiger hook swords, double hammers, a battle axe, the snake halberd, Kwan Dao, twin broadswords, the double-edged sword, a Chinese spear, the three-section chain whip, double daggers, double crutches, a monk's spade, a staff, the tiger fork, a rattan shield, the single butterfly sword and the three-section staff. Having been defeated by the gunpowder and bullets of the West during the Boxer Rebellion, multiple Chinese fight schools are trying to learn how martial arts can defeat guns. However, Lei Kung (Chia-Liang Liu) refuses to allow any more of his students to die trying to use their fighting skills to block bullets. In retaliation, the rival schools brand him a traitor and send their greatest fighters to kill him. The foremost of them is Master Li Lin-ying (Chia-Yung Liu, the real-life brother of our hero), who has hired Lei Ying (Chia Yung Liu), Tieh Hau (Hsiao Hou) and Ti Tan (Gordon Liu) to get the job done. But if you're expecting a straight martial arts film, this one has voodoo martial artists controlling other fighters and no small dose of the supernatural. It also has long segments of comedy which have led many to dislike it. I had no issues with it, as this is a big movie filled with big ideas that tries to break a lot of the mold of the form. Also, I'm always amazed at what gets cut in the UK, as every scene of throwing stars and nunchaku was eliminated in England. This is worth it just for the final battle in which all of the legendary weapons are used in combat by a master so wise in their handling that he doesn't even need to defeat his opponent to win the fight.

Shaw Brothers never take a rest with movie goodness. This is just another to add to their list of awesome Kung Fu flicks. What's funny is that I see a lot of reviews trashing this movie. Let me give you the lowdown on this movie and some reviewer advice. The story is a very interesting one seeing a Pugalist (if I spelled it right} leaving the clan, because of their false claim to be invincible to fire arms. This master refuses to see innocent people subjected to this and leaves for good. Next he is hunted down by others so he can be exterminated, only to find his kung fu skills have worn down, but that all changes. Anyway the fight scenes are very well put together, and Lui Chia Liang adds some flare with is brothers Gordon Liu and Liu Chia Ying. This movie is one of the many great films produced by the Shaw Brothers with excellent choreography. Now let me get to the small mined reviews. Some people look at movies to find little things to gripe about. This movie is no exception, if you like action and good fights check this one out. Don't be fooled by the people with no imagination, this movie was by far a good ride. Listen to a martial arts movie buff vs a person who just picks it up because it's there. If that doesn't convince you, then use this. Who would you rather make your pizza, that pizza man who owned his business for about 10 years, or that mechanic with oil and grease on this hands?

Using the kind of misguided thinking that led to outright slaughter during The Boxer Rebellion (during which gung fu experts, convinced that their prowess would protect them against gunfire, found out otherwise), Gordon Liu has his men line up in front of what amounts to a firing squad. Reasoning that there may be a chink in their armor after all, he decides to fall back and regroup. Meanwhile, a manhunt is underway for Lei Kung, a kung fu master who seems to have vanished into thin air. Several cases of mistaken identity occur and, at one point, Alexander Fu Sheng tries to pass himself off as the missing master. He pays the price for his little deception. All of this is incidental to what has to be one of the greatest fight sequences in martial arts movie history. It's so good that it has to be seen to be appreciated, and it's why I rate LEGENDARY WEAPONS OF CHINA a solid ten. The scene lasts a full five or six minutes and is worth seeing by anyone who likes martial arts movies.

This film has it all. Starting off with the classic stage introduction fight sequences, you know this one's going to be badass. "Legendary Weapons" manages to fit in horror, comedy, mystery, philosophy, action, and even a subtle dash of romance all into 1 hour and 40 minutes. There are also a phenomenal amount of stunts and practical effects used that gives the fight scenes a lot more bite than other within the genre. It's also guaranteed that your favorite weapon may also show up, as the final fight scene is said to feature 18 for one duel. The cast is super solid as well, with all three Liu-Chia brothers in strong roles, as well as Shaw Bros. new guard supporting with Kara Wai, Hou Hsaio, and a perfect guest starring role for the late and great Alexander Fu Sheng. Without a doubt a classic for the collection. A top tier Kung Fu flick, and the only reason it's a 9 and not a 10 is because I rated it on its objective worth as a film and not solely on my bias as a fan of the genre.

As a kid I watched a lot of Shaw Brothers movies, I don't remember having seen this back in the day. Whatever the case it seems to epitomize what Shaw Brothers movies where doing. Action, comedy and a story that is all over the place. Alright the latter might not be a trademark in itself. But it is very apparent in this one. You could skip a lot of the movie story wise and not miss anything when you watch the last third. Everything is still explained and makes sense. If you like Martial Arts, there is almost no way around it. While it may not have the name of other Shaw Brothers movies, this is still essential viewing for anyone who is into Eastern cinema/genre. It also has quite some blood in it and it aged quite well.

It's a shame that this era of movies came to an end just as they were putting out some of their best stuff. watched back to back with my favorite Super Ninjas, this movie holds up it's end of viewing quite well. this may be my second or third favorite in the genre. the action almost never stops and yet somehow squeezed in is a fairly labyrinth plot of shifting alliances. absolutely amazing choreography. great movie.

Anyone who has reviewed this movie and stated the plot is stupid has no knowledge of 19th century China. In fact during the Boxer Rebellion these "Boxers" believed through rituals they could make themselves impervious to firearms. No I am not making this up and neither did Chia-Liang Liu and while he exaggerated and had fun with it for comedic values he was making an historical notation. The Martial Arts in this movie are exceptional and so is the outrageous humor instilled in this movie. Not only did he poke fun at the Boxers but also many of the Martial Arts movies of the 1970s that went a little overboard with the magical Kung Fu element. And all in the same breath showed the usage of almost every weapon used in Chinese Martial Arts. The talent in this movie speaks for itself aside from Liu and his brothers there is Fu Sheng, Hou Hsiao and the sweet Kara Hui. They don't make Martial Arts movies this original or good anymore either with all the Ip Man clones and CGI epics not even close. All I can say is Chia-Liang Liu you are sorely missed.... And the point is no amount of skill will help you dodge a bullet!