Shaolin King Boxer

SHAOLIN KING BOXER (1979)
Ground Zero Entertainment
88 Minutes

Directed by: Karl Maka
Written by: Yu Kan Ping
Cinematography by: Liao Wan Wei
Fight Choreography by: Chia Liang Liu
Cast: Chen Kuan Tai, Meng Fei, Chia Liang Liu, Leung Kar Yan, Wilson Tong, Kuan Hung, Chung Yao, Wang Hsia, Wang Ying

A group of bandits infiltrate the local jail, and break out their evil leader, Shu Tin Shen (Chia Liang Liu). Feeling his gang is up to full strength, Shu Tin Shen’s first stop is home of Captain Siu (Chen Kuan Tai), the constable who imprisoned him. Shu Tin Shen and his posse (including Leung Kar Yan as Pau and Wilson Tong as Slasher Pete) surprise Captain Siu and murder his wife and daughter. Shu Tin Shen then cuts off Captain Siu’s thumb, so he cannot grasp a sword in retaliation. Confident that Captain Siu no longer poses a threat, Shu Tin Shen allows him to escape. But Captain Siu is a very dangerous man and plans to destroy the gang who murdered his family. Captain Siu seeks out a blacksmith and forces him to craft an iron gauntlet. Captain Siu may not be able to grasp conventional weapons with the loss of his thumb, but his steel gauntlet proves more than a match for any aggressors. While searching for his family’s killers, Captain Siu meets Ting Yi Lang (Meng Fei), a roguish adventurer with a penchant for women and money. Ting Yi Lang and Captain Liu strike up a reluctant friendship because Captain Sui wants Shu Tin Shen dead and Ting Yi Lang wants to lay his hands on the gang leader’s stolen loot.

Although the plot of SHAOLIN KING BOXER is propelled by the tired revenge motive, director Karl Maka gives the film a fresh perspective with distinct characterizations and the constant application of intrigue. The character of Captain Sui is admittedly one-dimensional (though Chen Kuan Tai brings fire and fervor to the role), he is but only one part of an ensemble picture. Maka divides the focus between Chen Kuan Tai and Meng Fei, whose character uses wit and deduction to out think the villain, Shu Tin Shen. Maka also devotes much screen time to the antagonists, and there are moments when this feels like a heist movie. But every line and nuance in this production only serves to elevate its status. Maka employs comedy only to depict some of the more outrageous character types, and the humor never takes away from the gritty, hard driving, Spaghetti Western edge of SHAOLIN KING BOXER. Chia Liang Liu produces some amazing fight choreography guaranteed to take your breath away. The fighting is very natural, and not flashy. The choreography consists of one-on-one fights, multiple participant battles, and plenty of swords and staff fighting. Don’t miss the finale where Chia Liang Liu fights both Chen Kuan Tai and Meng Fei.