The Man from Hong Kong (1975)

THE MAN FROM HONG KONG is another splendid 'Ozploitation' classic from British director Brian Trenchard-Smith, and one of my three favourite movies that he made (along with TURKEY SHOOT and THE SIEGE OF FIREBASE GLORIA); all offer endless entertainment value. This one's a Bond knock-off that mines the-then craze for kung fu madness with the tale of a Hong Kong cop who comes to Australia on the hunt for a massive drug lord. Said drug lord is played by former Bond George Lazenby, who acts up a storm as one of the screen's biggest and most imposing heavies. The hero of the hour is none other than former Shaw man Jimmy Wang Yu, an actor who I've always enjoyed seeing on screen, and he's certainly an electrifying presence here, doing the majority of his own stunts and proving versatile and athletic throughout. The film is a straight-up action classic and limited plotting, but tons of great and bloody fights and vehicle chases that are huge fun, especially the gruelling extended fight between Wang Yu and the assassin. Supporting stars include those familiar and humorous Aussie actors Roger Ward and Hugh Keays-Byrne and a wealth of Hong Kong talent, not least Sammo Hung in a surprisingly big role. I loved it!

Both the DOP Russell Boyd and his assistant on the film, John Seales, went on to win Academy Awards; Boyd for 'Master and Commander' and Seales for 'The English Patient'.For a film with a budget of $550,000 ($50,000 of which paid for the rights to the theme song Sky High)the production values are very high.Also great to see some wonderful views of Hong Kong in 1975 in the credits sequence. Much of the Victoria Harbor water fronts on both Kowloon and Hong Kong sides have subsequently been reclaimed and extended into the harbor. The tall white building on the waterfront with the round windows is Jardine House which is now approx. 250 meters from the new shoreline.

This movie isn't half as bad as the previous review would have you believe. It doesn't have the best plot or actors, but it is entertaining. There are great location shots of Uluru, Sydney Harbor and many other places. The movie is entertaining and does have lots of fight scenes. You've got to have somewhat of a sense of humour when watching it. Remember that it was a product of the time period. The fashion, the acting, the premise of the movie, the politics of the time. Take it for what it is. As for George Lazenby, the only thing unfortunate about his part in the movie, is that he isn't in it enough. Not enough presence of the great George Lazenby, the BEST James Bond by far. His acting in 'On Her Majesty's Secret Service' is far better than many would have you believe. And it is to his effort, and interpretation of Bond that made that movie the best of the Bond movies. He is quite simply a fine actor and a victim of mass media misinterpretation. Thank you for reading.

I find it hard to believe that at a web-site which attracts more than 8 million people a month (that equates to 17 people a minute, one every three seconds!) that only TWO people in all these years have posted reviews of this mini-classic - "Z" grade rubbish that it is!I LOVE this flick.The acting is hysterical, the script at junior high-school level (I collapse on the lounge every time I hear Lazenby mouthing off to Wang Yu "I know your martial arts!") But man, this is high-voltage fun, a film that actually defies criticism. Wang Yu comes to Sydney to break up a drug smuggling ring headed up by the "and please leave your license to kill on my desk when you leave" former Bond non-event, George Lazenby. Following multiple impossible chop-socky set-to's with Lazenby's henchman, and George's own comical demise atop his penthouse, Wang Yu saves the day...and the girl! Great stuff!If nothing else, this film earns a place in the hall of fame for delivering to the world British Jigsaw's SKY HIGH which I can never hear without remembering how young I was when this came out! Magic!Trivia buffs might like to notice who that rather porky asian scumbag is trying to evade capture atop Ayer's Rock (now referred to as ULURU) during the early part of the flick and who later has his head unceremoniously pushed into the toilet by Wang Yu! None other than long-time Jackie Chan friend and Director - Sammo Hung! Martial arts choreographer without peer! Watch also for the exploding Toyota Crown scene at Ayer's Rock...that airborne door gave the on-set crew-members a few nervous moments!