Get those fists ready! It’s time for some hand-to-hand combat as one family is absolutely brought to its knees due to an Emperor’s secret mission.
Shaolin Mantis, distributed from 88 Films, opens with David Chiang shadow fighting against a white screen, displaying his character’s style of kung-fu. His mantis attack - which is developed during the course of the film - is stealthy, unnerving, and very powerful, causing his enemies to flee into the night or, as is the case in director Lau Kar Leung’s Shaolin Mantis, eventually die.
The golden age of Hong Kong martial arts cinema is pretty routine when it comes to stories, but Shaolin Mantis presents a complex character when scholar Wei Fung (Chiang) is sent on an infiltration and assassination secret mission by the Qing Emperor (Frankie Wei Hung) to take down a clan of Ming loyalists.
Wait. What?! That’s right. While it is typical of the Shaw Brothers to give hero status to the Mings, Shaolin Mantis flips the script and puts Chiang in the middle of a war of hearts which cannot be won. And our sympathies remain with him through the very end of this ill-fated journey.
It’s not an easy mission, especially when Fung, posing as Tien Chi-Chi’s new tutor, falls in love with her. Suddenly, the bad guy that he is must decide who he is loyal to. It presents for an interesting familia development as both sides are not happy with him.
Played by a very fun and energetic Cecilia Wong Hang-Sau, Chi-Chi is headstrong and spoiled and all she wants to do is kung-fu, which provides for some very funny moments with Chiang. She’s also chased away 18 other tutors and isn’t bad at kung-fu herself, which is going to come in handy when Chiang’s secret is revealed to all.
Chi-Chi gets what she wants and when Chiang is found out as the conspirator that he is by her three uncles (played by Norman Chu, Wilson Tong and John Chang who each get their moment to shine when it comes to fists flying) and Master Tian (another solid performance from Chia-Yung Liu) who wants to do best by his family, she decides, rather than let her grandfather kill him, she wants Chiang’s hand in marriage - which just annoys her grandfather and her three uncles. The problem compounds itself when Fung decides he needs to go home and take Wong with him. Grandfather is NOT happy.
Blood will be spilled. Both violent and full of solid fight choreography as the lovers must first escape the house before anything else, Shaolin Mantis feels like a video game with boss battles galore as new teams are created and lines are drawn. Its cinematic energy is through the roof once the fists and feet start flying, but there’s also a strong production value throughout as the strength of the decor matches - almost blow for blow - the absolute carnage.
And see if your heart doesn’t break just a little when both Chi-Chi and her mother (Lily Li) beg for mercy from the clan leader. Fates are decided in Shaolin Mantis. It is now on blu-ray from 88 Films, complete with new art from R.P. “Kung Fu Bob” O’Brien.
Home Video Distributor: 88 Films
Available on Blu-ray - March 22, 2022
Screen Formats: 2.35:1
Subtitles: English, English SDH
Video: MPEG-4 AVC
Audio: English: LPCM 2.0 Mono; Mandarin: LPCM 2.0 Mono
Discs: Blu-ray Disc; single disc
Region Encoding: Locked to Region A
Direct from the golden age of Hong Kong martial arts cinema comes Shaolin Mantis, another fast paced fight fest, from the mighty Shaw Brothers studio. When scholar Wei Fung (David Chiang) is hired by the Emperor to infiltrate a clan of rebellious Ming loyalists, his mission goes adrift when he falls in love with the clan leader's granddaughter and his plans are discovered. From legendary director and star Lau Kar Leung (The Spiritual Boxer, The 36th Chamber of Shaolin) Shaolin Mantis is another superlative entry from the never ending showcase of 70s martial arts productions. An absolute must for collectors of classic Shaw Brothers movies.
Video
Presented in a 2.35:1 aspect ratio, Shaolin Mantis, from 88 Films, gets its hands bloody and never once rinses its fists as beauty is birthed in this same blood, all with its audience in mind. The poetry on display comes through in the lush fields, the crispness of the interiors and the haunting exteriors, and the sudden violence which echoes throughout the film, including its big finale in which both families attack Chiang. 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.
Audio
There is both a solid 2.0 LPCM English Soundtrack and a 2.0 LPCM Mandarin Soundtrack with newly translated English Subtitles. This is front-loaded entertainment and it is sufficient for the Chop Socky experience.
Supplements:
Commentary:
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This release features two new audio commentaries: one with Asian cinema experts Mike Leeder and Arne Venema and another with Asian cinema experts Frank Djeng.
Special Features:
Get ready for some informative supplemental items with these bonus features!
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Complicated Families - David West on Shaolin Mantis
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Interview with Actor John Cheung by Frédéric Ambroisine
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US Trailer (The Deadly Mantis)
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Hong Kong Trailer
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Composite Blu-ray Grade
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MPAA Rating: R.
Runtime: 96 mins
Director: Chia-Liang Liu
Writer: On Szeto
Cast: David Chiang; Cecilia Wong; Lily Li
Genre: Action | Drama
Tagline:
Memorable Movie Quote:
Distributor: Shaw Brothers
Official Site:
Release Date: January, 1984
DVD/Blu-ray Release Date: Mar 22, 2022
Synopsis: Shaolin Mantis (Orig. Tang lang) is a 1978 Shaw Brothers film directed by Lau Kar-leung. Starring David Chiang and Liu Chia Hui. Shaolin Mantis tells the story of a man who learns martial arts by observing a praying mantis.
