Secret of the Shaolin Poles (1977)

I saw this one under the title PRODIGAL BOXER 3: SECRET OF THE SHAOLIN POLES. The latter part of the title is the original part and the one that makes sense. It's a film that features actor Meng Fei in the role of Chinese folk hero Fong Sai Yuk, a role popularised by Jet Li in the 1990s. Fong Sai Yuk is portrayed in the usual mould here: impetuous, youthful, full of spirit and bravery. Not particularly interesting, in other words.On the other hand, we do get Yasuaki Kurata playing another of his trademark villain roles and Kurata doesn't disappoint in that respect. Chang Yi also appears as a general in a role which requires more acting talent than fighting ability. The film is quite low budget and grainy and the action scenes are below average quality, let down by choppy editing and the like. However, things do pick up at the surprisingly mean-spirited climax in which the Shaolin poles of the title come into play: it's a beach-set complex of poles jutting from the ground on which the fighters must battle. Kind of a like a deadly version of IT'S A KNOCKOUT, if you will.

As described in other martial art reviews done by me I came across a box on a flea market full of Kung-Fu DVD's. And I must say that I'm happy I bought it. This wasn't boring at all and is worth watching for the old school martial art geeks.On part of the fight scene's it's worth watching for the fighting going on on the so-called Shaolin Poles. It's almost unbelievable to see what Fei Meng and Yasuaki Kurata are doing. Fei Meng picked up his role again as Fang Shi-Yu, the popular fighter with his white fan and a brilliant smile. On the other hand Yasuaki Kurata, who's still performing nowadays, plays a Japanese fighter but just look how he humiliate women by giving kicks with his feet in their face or isn't afraid to rape women. Back then the Chinese weren't fund of the Japanese.Due the good fighting scene's and a great story it's a must see for the lovers of the genre. I do like it more then the American Kung-Fu flicks with Bruce Lee or the new ones. The only trick you see in the old schools are the one with the wires used to elevate people. And I was also surprised to see blood here in such old flicks.Maybe the only negative thing I can say is the poor quality of the DVD, even the release in the US is a VHS rip-off but hey, it do adds towards the grindhouse feeling.

Meng Fei returns to his role as Fong Sai Yuk and once again the government is after him. Meng Fei is the main reason this movie is so good. He has a very likable personality and he shows once again to be the king of fan fighting. Whether his opponent is unarmed or has a huge spear, Meng Fei always uses his fan. Basically the story has Chang Yi trying to kill Fong Sai Yuk by setting up a death match on top of large wooden poles. Yasuaki Kurata plays Meng Fei's opponent and does a great job. Lau Kar Wing has a part in the movie as someone who is impersonating Fong Sai Yuk. The fight between Lau Kar Wing and Meng Fei is the highlight of the movie for me. Then you have Dorian Tan who plays a teacher figure and while he doesn't get to fight much, he gives a great acting performance. In fact, I think this is the first time I have ever said that Dorian Tan gave a great acting performance. He really shines in his small role. The only problem I have with this movie is that the final fight with Chang Yi is too short and feels like an exhibition. Everything else is great.The Crash Cinema DVD is full screen and the picture is very faded. It's bad, but it's watchable.

This movie is one off the best kungfu movies I have ever seen !Its about a guy that fights with a robe (Fang Shi-Yu)(meng fei). He is being chased by General Ma. At the beginning Ma captures his two older brothers he is looking for , when he gets back from a trip and went to his hometown , but Ma decides to kill them, because they wont answer where Fang is. To find out where Fang is , he send a look a like from Fang to Town to show his skillz there , in hope the real Fang will show up. After awhile they get friends with eachother (Fang and the fake one) and that wasn't what Ma wanted. Fang defeated a long time ago some Tiger Lee and now his brother Dragon Lee wants his revenge on him on the Shaolin Poles! So he challenge Fang to a duel and if he not comes his daughter will be raped. But who will fight him ?? Anyway enough said for now , just get this movie and look how great it is yourself!Greetz!