Rating:

Aka: INVINCIBLE IRON ARMOUR

Stars: John Liu, Hwang Jang Lee, Tino Wong, Phillip Kao, Li Hai Sheng

Director: Ng See Yuen

1977, Hong Kong, Lai Hwa Film Co.

 

When General Chao (John Liu) witnesses Hu Lung’s (Li Hai Sheng) exceptional Kung fu skills he hires him as the Kings guard. Later in the courtyard when showing his skills to another bodyguard Hu kills him and escapes. Chao who sees the incident is caught by surprise and doesn’t have time to stop the killer. Chao is caught red handed (taken literally), and is sentenced to death. Now wanted for murder, he escapes to prove his innocence and find the real killer.

To find Chao, Court official (Hwang Jang Lee) sends the loyal kung fu man, Chen Yu (Tino Wong).

 

Wow!!! I think this is the coolest thing I’ve seen so far and whithout doubt one of my two top faves. These kinds of movies give me a kick.

Last weak I saw "Shaolin Wooden Men" and was impressed, now it happened again.

The music (borrowed from the western movie "Day of Anger" aka "Gunlaw" from 1967) and choreography is first class and it fits well in the movie. You’ll also note that the quality of this movie is very good, much thanks to the high budget. I suspect it’s inspired by Clint Eastwood movie "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly" cause like in that film, the first time your're introduced to the leading stars they're paused showing you they have a major part in the film.

 

This must bee Hwang and John Liu’s best movie (as actors). Surprisingly they don’t kick much here, but the kung fu is top notch (very brutal and well done) and the techniques impressive, the same. I must also apply that super-mean Hwang looks really cool in white hair.

Tino is very good here, I think he uses Leopard style and looks cool all the way.

Yuen Kwai (Corey Yuen), brother Yuen Shun Yi and Yuen Biao perform the stunts, again, and are seen in cameos.

Li Hai Sheng has a pretty big and important role and is just great (both acting and fighting wise).

Phillip Kao also plays a white haired master, and does it good and cool.

Eddie Ko takes off his shirt and puts on his wrist armours (means problem) but he's not up to Tino's fighting expertice.

This is one of the movies rap group Wu Tang Clan got their sounds from (from the eagle claw intro).

I can’t say how much I love this movie. It has costumes, beatiful landscapes, white haired dudes, cool heroes, mysterious styles, great fighting, a top notch plot, great soundtrack and anythyng else you could asc for in a kung fu movie. Just go and buy it and you’ve probably love it too.

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