Hwang Jang Lee as a good guy!! Now if that isn't an interesting draw to a kung fu flick then i don't know what is.
As far as the story goes nothing new or groundbreaking, Rubber legs comes to town looking for work. But trouble is brewing between the towns two rival rice businesses, things get messy and Hwangs Brother in law is murdered and his sister raped, after which she kills herself. Which means only one thing to our hero, vengeance.
Eddie Ko plays the villian, Uncle 33. As always he is well suited to the role and his use of animal styles is magnificent. Tino Wong of invincible Armour fame plays the secoundary villian role and pretty much spends the movie getting some harsh beatings. This aside he is given one of the films best scenes, where he and Hwang face off agianst each other in a resturant. Classic use of kung fu hand trickery, mixing snake, tiger, eagles claw and chopsticks together to made a truely eye popping display of crafty hand based shapes.
Fab Mei San also has a role as a good willed beggar who helps Hwang along the way despite the regular conflictions that they have.
The final showdown between Eddie Ko and Hwang Jang Lee definately ticks all the right boxes. The use of staffs at the beginning of the scene is a nice touch, and Hwang shows he hasn't lost any of his touch since Hell'z Windstaff.
After some nice staff action we switch to Eagles Claw, with both actors proving there worth in the style. Of course by the end Hwang has switched to his legs and starts kicking up in the way only the true silver fox can. With a three kicks to the chest while still in the air finishing blow this consolidates the movie is a solid slice of puritian shapes. Recomended.
There is also a korean edit of the movie in circulation that features some different scenes to that show in the dubbed version, if you like the movie then the alternate cut is worth seeking out.
movie rating: 4 out of 5.
About the Disc:
This is the Eastern Heroes now out of print disc that contains both the original and rare korean version editted by Hwang Jang Lee himself.
Picture:
Both Versions are presented in 1.85:1 non-anamorphic aspect. The Picture quality in the English version is top notch as far as old skool KF flicks go. Lots of noticable grian and lines but it looks as like it has been taken from cinema reels. Contrast and colours a fine.
The Korean version isn't so good, taken from a vhs master with occasion tracking lines, worn out and somewhat low colours and contrast, still this is a rare print and the only elements known in existence so not to much to complain about.
English version: 4 out of 5 Korean version: 2 out of 5
Sound:
The English dub is nice and clear some hiss but nothing distracting or that noticable, The Korean version has a bit more hiss than the dub but still nothing distracting. remastered non removable subs are not the best translation or timing i've seen and as a whole pretty shoddy.
English Version: 2.5 out of 5 Korean Version: 2 out of 5
Extra's on this disc consist of a nice original trailer and a 4 minute segment on Hwang Jang Lee taking from a documentary. Also Included are some brief bio's on the cast and crew. The extras are finished off with trailers for top fighter, snake in the eagles shadow, the victim and drunken master.
2 out of 5
Over all the disc is pretty solid, specially when you consider the quality of most KF releases, having the korean version is a very nice addition to the package, despite the fact it is now out of print it is relitively easy to pick this up off of Amazon or ebay for a good price.
About the Disc:
This is the Eastern Heroes now out of print disc that contains both the original and rare korean version editted by Hwang Jang Lee himself.
Picture:
Both Versions are presented in 1.85:1 non-anamorphic aspect. The Picture quality in the English version is top notch as far as old skool KF flicks go. Lots of noticable grian and lines but it looks as like it has been taken from cinema reels. Contrast and colours a fine.
The Korean version isn't so good, taken from a vhs master with occasion tracking lines, worn out and somewhat low colours and contrast, still this is a rare print and the only elements known in existence so not to much to complain about.
English version: 4 out of 5 Korean version: 2 out of 5
Sound:
The English dub is nice and clear some hiss but nothing distracting or that noticable, The Korean version has a bit more hiss than the dub but still nothing distracting. remastered non removable subs are not the best translation or timing i've seen and as a whole pretty shoddy.
English Version: 2.5 out of 5 Korean Version: 2 out of 5
Extra's on this disc consist of a nice original trailer and a 4 minute segment on Hwang Jang Lee taking from a documentary. Also Included are some brief bio's on the cast and crew. The extras are finished off with trailers for top fighter, snake in the eagles shadow, the victim and drunken master.
2 out of 5
Over all the disc is pretty solid, specially when you consider the quality of most KF releases, having the korean version is a very nice addition to the package, despite the fact it is now out of print it is relitively easy to pick this up off of Amazon or ebay for a good price.
