The Boxer from Shantung (1972)

Possibly Chang Cheh's finest martial arts movie, containing everything that people have come to expect from him. The film has a good, although not great, storyline, charismatic actors and thrilling action scenes. It also contains a ton of blood.Chen Kuan Tai plays the title character, and we follow him as he rises through the ranks of the gangster world. David Chiang shows up in supporting role as a crime boss who is admired by Kuan Tai. Although he only appears briefly he still gets a chance to show of his moves, and be a tough guy.The main themes of brotherhood and betrayal are all here as usual, and the film culminates in one of the finest final fight scenes to appear in a Shaw Brothers Movie.Of course there is still the usual problems, as in a lot of the more modern day Chang Cheh films, no one considers the idea of actually just shooting the hero from afar. Of course they don't, that would be too sensible, and most of the villains here are idiots. Of course if they just shot him it would end the movie quite abruptly. Instead Kuan Tai gets to fight it out in a bloody trail of glory, and doesn't even give up when he's gets an axe in the stomach.An axe in the stomach, and he fights till the end with it sticking out of him. Any other film you may think this is ridiculous, but in a Chang Cheh film this is expected.Chen Kuan Tai would go on to work with Chang Cheh in numerable other occasions, but was never better than in Boxer from Shantung.Also check out the remakes, Hero, starring Yuen Biao & Takeshi Kaneshiro and also the more recent Once Upon a Time in Shanghai. Both deserve a look, but don't live up to Cheh's classic.

Ma (Chen Kuan Tai) settles in at a local flop house where he's befriended by a "little hillbilly" named Xiao. Ere long, our hero begins to pine for some of the better things in life- and, when he sees Tan (David Chiang) being treated like royalty, he decides that THAT's the way to go. Not unlike DUEL OF THE IRON FIST, THE BOXER FROM SHANGTUNG is a Triad movie loaded with hatchet-wielding hatchet men (led, in this case, by Ku Feng as Boss Yang). Along the way to becoming Tan's man in the area, Ma defeats a Russian wrestler. When Tan is ambushed and murdered, Ma sends Xiao packing and sets out to avenge his idol. As in many of Chang Cheh's movies, women are left sidelined watching the action (or seen leaving town, as in this case). While I've seen no trailers proudly proclaiming "No women in this one!", they might just as well have done one: Ma seems FAR more interested in Tan than the young lady who pines for him in the movie. Chang Cheh (thankfully) milks the gory finale for all it's worth (even literally bringing down the Green Lotus Teahouse, the way Jackie Chan would in THE LEGEND OF THE DRUNKEN MASTER). Another ten for Chang Cheh.

One of those films that you find in a "Everything here $1..." bin at your video store. It's dated, the video and sound quality are poor, the acting is typically sh*thouse and the storyline has been done 100 times before. But being somewhat of a fan of kung-fu films, I try to see anything no matter how bad it looks. The Boxer From Shantung is no classic of the genre, but it does provide some excitement, some innovative concepts and some of your standard Shaw Brothers kick ass action, so it can't be a complete waste. One thing that came straight to mind when I saw the 'House of Blue Leaves' chapter in Kill Bill vol. 1 was this film. The Boxer From Shantung inspired the sequence where the crazy 88s come rushing into the club through any entrance available. Admittedly though, Tarantino did it better. Also, the lead actor Kuan Tai Chen kept reminding me of Charles Bronson, he looks like him but it's mostly his mannerisms. He went on to star in many more Shaw Brothers films (see: The Flying Guillotine). 7/10 -- but only because I'm partial to kung-fu films.

The Boxer From Shan Tung (1972) is a rags to riches story about a country bumpkin who aspires to become the greatest gangster of his era. Ma Yong Zhen makes a name for himself from the ground up by getting the poor and the down trodden to become a part of his "empire". But like all fast rising gangsters they have to fall sometime. The battle in the Tea House has to be the single greatest piece of action film-making I have ever seen. The usual Shaw Brothers players can be found in this two hour plus epic of bloodletting proportions. Kuan Tai Chen stars as Ma Yong Zhen. As usual he makes a great lead actor. He always sports a smile and never let his personal situations bring him down. Kuan also makes a credible butt kicking fighter. David Chiang has an extended cameo as Tan Si, a fellow gangster who becomes a mentor/friend to Ma. Feng Ku co-stars as one of the 4 Champions of Shan Tung, Wang Chung and Hark-On Fung have small roles as Tan Si's henchmen. Ching Li co-stars as the Tea House singer who falls for the mack-daddy charm of Ma Yong Zhen. Check out the remastered print from Celestial Films. Not only is the film restored to it's original running time but the picture is in pristine condition and the English subs are excellent. Get ready for some action packed, bone crunching excitement!! Another winner from Chang Cheh and the Shaw Brothers!Highest recommendation possible.