In which a challenging fight high upon some standing log posts leads to the unforgettable death of a Shaolin legend!
Directed by Cheh Chang for the Shaw Brothers, The Shaolin Avengers is an interesting spin on the tried and true martial arts film format. Complete with the red = death color switches throughout the action scenes, this well-choreographed film is damn exhaustive with its use of zoom as heroes rise and fall on the battlefield.
To be clear, The Shaolin Avengers is in fact a remake of Cheh's own film, Men From The Monastery, but the story is a bit more improved thanks to the use of flashback, fully fleshing out each individual character while, at the same time, thrusting them into the final battle in which fates w3ill be decided.
The film stylistically opens with a beautifully shot tag, in which Alexander Fu Sheng and Chi Kuan-Chuan get to show off their skills within a very artistically lit studio setting against all manner of foe. But just as the dust settles on their fighting, we are then thrust into the main arc of the story: one long battle sequence.
Told through an extensive use of narrative flashbacks, many fans of Chang’s have suggested that the story is hard to follow due to this reason. While the flashbacks happen at head jerking rates, the main story hinges on understanding the flashbacks in which legendary Shaolin fighters Fong Si Yu (Sheng), Fong's younger brother Sai Yi (Billy Tang), and Hu Wei Chien (Kuan-Chuan) are wronged, trained to take their revenge (wine baths and all), and then embark on the long road to revenge against the Manchu troops and the notorious white-browed priest Pai Mei, who knows the one area which can render Fong immobile.
With the fight choreography here being provided by Hsieh Hsing and Chen Hsin I, Shaolin Avengers gives audiences a quicker timing for some of the punches, as well as some good looks at some classic moves. The Shaw Brothers productions are top notch again, even if some of the backgrounds look a bit more feeble this time out. That finale, though? Out in the open air? It’s pretty damn grand, giving our baddies ‘Beardy’ Leung Kar Yan, Wang Lung Wei, Lu Feng, Chiang Sheng, Tang Tak Cheung, and Lung Fei a whole lot of atmosphere with which to create their characters.
The Shaolin Avengers is now on blu-ray as part of Shout Factory’s Shaw Brothers Classics, Vol 3. A set which includes 11 classic martial arts films from the famous Shaw Brothers' library, featuring some of their greatest stars – Alexander Fu Sheng (The Brave Archer), Lo Lieh (King Boxer), Ti Lung (A Better Tomorrow), David Chiang (The Boxer Of Shantung) and the Deadly Venoms! Many of these films are debuting for the first time on Blu-ray.
Home Video Distributor: Shout Factory
Available on Blu-ray - October 24, 2023
Screen Formats: 2.35:1
Subtitles: English
Audio: Mandarin: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono; English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono
Discs: Blu-ray Disc; 11-discset
Region Encoding: Locked to Region A
The famous story of the Shaolin Temple's betrayal by the White-Browed Hermit, and the subsequent revenge by Shaolin firebrand Fang Shih-yu, is the stuff of legend. It has been filmed many times by many directors, but few depictions are as fiery or remembered as fondly as this production. The potent combination of director Chang Cheh and international idol Alexander Fu Sheng caught lightning in a lens (thanks to action instructors Hsieh Hsing and Chen Hsin-yi ... not to mention talented co-director Wu Ma).
Video
Presented in a 2.35:1 aspect ratio, The Shaolin Avengers, is, like a lot of Shaw Brothers productions, very bloody. Interiors are strong. Colors pop throughout, but it is the blood effects - burning bright in the transfer - which seal the deal on this one. It’s full of great atmosphere thanks to the quick-footed script and looks visually eye-popping due to the 1080- upgrade. Black levels are strong throughout, bringing out nice details in both the loud and quiet moments of this epic adventure. The tracking shots are glorious to behold in 1080p. Blacks are solid and shadows maintain their lines. Even the costumes are noted stitch by stitch.
Audio
Fans of the genre get to choose between the Mandarin Mono DTS-HD Master Audio With New Subtitle Translation and an English Dubbed DTS-HD Master Audio for all their chop socky needs.
Supplements:
Get ready to duel to the death with these supplemental items!
Commentary:
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There is a cool commentary with film historian Brain Bankston, which is full of some great information.
Special Features:
- NEW Audio Commentary With Film Historian Brian Bankston (Cool Ass Cinema Blog)
- NEW Sharp Soundbites – Critic Frank Djeng Provides Some Memories Of His First Shaw Brothers Encounters
- Celestial Trailer
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Composite Blu-ray Grade |
MPAA Rating: Unrated.
Runtime: 97 mins
Director: Cheh Chang
Writer: Cheh Chang; Kuang Ni
Cast: Sheng Fu; Kuan-Chun Chi; Yen-Tsan Tang
Genre: Action | Drama
Tagline:
Memorable Movie Quote:
Distributor: Shaw Brothers
Official Site:
Release Date: June 18, 1976 (Hong Kong)
DVD/Blu-ray Release Date: October 24, 2023
Synopsis: The famous story of the Shaolin Temple's betrayal by the White-Browed Hermit, and the subsequent revenge by Shaolin firebrand Fang Shih-yu.