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少林與武當 (1980)
Two Champions of Shaolin


Reviewed by: venomsfan
Date: 05/05/2022

This film is certainly action-packed and spectacular. All of the Venom Mob came prepared to give some of their best performances, especially during the fight scenes. There is a particular focus on the relationship between the characters, which makes each scene feel even more important. The storyline starts to unfold in front of our eyes as the audience is let in on the twists and turns of the film. The film has some brutal death scenes, but only after the exciting action sequences that left me hooked. This is a tale of revenge, so it is to be expected. Each pairing makes for a unique show of skills since they often match actors who have a bit of a different fighting style, but it melds together well. The acting is great as each actor really embodies their role and shows the different aspects of human emotions, from sadness, happiness, anger, and even love. Tong Qianjin (Lo Mang) and Jin Bier (Yeung Ching-Ching) provide a contrast to the violent aspects of the film, as Chang Cheh captures their journey as they begin to fall in love. However, it does not ruin the movie or make it seem out of place since it is woven well into the plot.

Lu Feng returns as his character from Shaolin Rescuers (1979), Gao Jinzhong, but he brings a new take on the previous version. The character has different personality traits, appears more expressive and actively tries to get along with the other characters. He seems to be calculating and always planning his next move. When he gets ready to strike, it makes for an intense scene. There is some brilliant weapons work for Lu Feng as he shows off some exciting moves with the fei cha. Chin Siu-Ho plays a very important part in the film since he helps move the story forward with his actions. While his character is kind and sometimes childish, it is easy to see the mature and brave side of him. He is sneaky and intelligent, actively going against the antagonists of the film but putting on a ruse to hide this fact. It adds some suspense to the movie since you never know what will happen next. Lo Mang and Chiang Sheng both make the film comedic since they like to have fun or tease the other characters. However, Chiang Sheng shines in this role since he is portraying a smart character with undeniable skills, instead of the less serious roles he often gets. It is fun to see Sun Chien and Yeung Ching-Ching have characters with a special skill that the other characters did not possess until they taught it to Tong Qianjin, so they add some spice to the film.

It is worth noting that all of the fight scenes are different, but each of the actors gives it their all. The action remains fast-paced, so it does not drag out for too long but keeps your attention since certain scenes add some surprises. I am sure you can guess which scene I am referring to, but I will not spoil it here in case some people have not seen the movie. It is enough to make your jaw drop when you see it. I really enjoyed how they paired Lu Feng with Lo Mang as the two adapted to each other’s strengths, highlighting how well they work together as a group. It is a shame that Sun Chien did not have more fight scenes, but the one he did have showcased some of his beautiful kicks. I feel it shows off how nice his form is and he had me on the edge of my seat since he was taking on so many people at once. Chin Siu-Ho, Chiang Sheng, Yu Tai-Ping, and Wong Lik were equally as fun. Everyone stood out in their own way and ensured that this movie would not disappoint. Although they did leave me wanting more, since they were really impressive.

The plot of the film is not anything too complicated, so it is easy to follow. That is not a bad thing, though. Each shot and the various scenes are exactly what you would expect from Chang Cheh, which is really nice camerawork and it all comes together perfectly. The scenery in the movie is quite beautiful with an array of colors. There seems to be a use of lightning in the film since some scenes are darker while others are bright, matching the mood of the scene. Each of the outfits is stunning as the designs are a mix of simple and complex, giving each of the characters their own unique look. It is clear that a lot of time and effort was put into the film. If you are a fan of the Shaw Brothers, Chang Cheh, and/or the Venom Mob, then this would be a good movie to check out! It likely will not disappoint since it has a wonderful cast with the bloody and gruesome deaths that Shaw Brothers films often possess. It is guaranteed to be a thrill!

Reviewer Score: 10

Reviewed by: Sydneyguy
Date: 08/05/2007
Summary: revenge is a never ending theme

Shaolin kill some Wudang, so they must take revenge, but its a never ending cycle,revenge after revenge.

What makes this better than the average shaw brothers movie, is Chin Siu-Ho character, who is caught in the middle of the struggle.

And what a ending, with a wrestling move employed at the end!!

Reviewer Score: 7

Reviewed by: Gaijin84
Date: 09/04/2006
Summary: Shaolin vs Wu Tang Chang Cheh brutality...

In the seemingly never-ending conflict between Shaolin and Wudang, Tong Qianjin (Lo Meng) is dispatched from the temple to seek revenge for the killing of his parents by Manchu soldiers. After a close encounter with the knife-throwing Li Dezong (Chui Tai-Ping), he takes refuge with a brother and sister (Sun Chien and Yeung Jing-Jing) who have developed a technique to defeat Li. Consequently, after doing so, Tong is targeted by the rest of the Wudang clan for death. Wudang calls in the help of the powerful Gao Jinzhong (Lu Feng) and the three Yuan brothers, all highly skilled masters of various disciplines. Meanwhile, Tong has befriended another Shaolin disciple, Hu Huigan (Chiang Sheng), and they set off to find other students and sympathizers. After getting word their temple and master have been killed, the “Two Champions” and others set out for a final conflict with Wudang but, unbeknownst to them, may have already been led into a deadly trap.
Interestingly enough, I’ve been searching on and off for this movie for about 20 years. In the early 80s, I remember seeing it on Saturday morning (a seemingly universal experience for my generation) and being struck by the brutality of one scene in particular. (The two scenes I remember most vividly from my Kung Fu Saturdays were this and Lo Lieh’s twisting palm attack on Gordon Liu’s stomach in Clan of the White Lotus). I, of course, had no idea I was witnessing a typical Chang Cheh bloodfest, but even today the scene is extraordinarily graphic. During the final fight Chiang Sheng, wielding a weapon called a hard whip, leaps over the head of an adversary, striking him in the back of the head on the way down. What I can only surmise is spinal and brain fluid shoots out with the force of a water hose from the man’s head before he falls to the ground, face down with thick fluid leaking from his crushed skull.
The entire film has an overwhelming sense of doom and death surrounding it. The Wudang villains all (save for Chin Siu-Ho) have no mercy for their foes, and the two Shaolin leaders are not much more morally superior. People are killed in all sorts of manners, from a relatively benign strangulation to the more inventive tearing out of a character’s crotch. The story itself is a bit complicated, with a multitude of characters and loyalties to be sorted out. However, the film is buoyed by a series of lightning fast and expertly choreographed fight scenes involving the main characters. This essentially being a Venom film (sans Phillip Kwok and Wai Pak), it is expected that the action would be plentiful and exciting, and it does not disappoint. I would recommend it on the fight scenes alone and the additional fact that the extra-curricular activities do not take away from the battles. MrBooth is correct, though, regarding the lack of attractive characters. It seems that everyone has a mop-top, and there was no makeup on the set to distract from the crooked teeth and bad complexions. However, all is forgotten once the fists start flying and the blood begins to flow towards a cruel and dark conclusion.

Reviewer Score: 8

Reviewed by: MrBooth
Date: 01/19/2004
Summary: 2.5/5

**1/2 TWO CHAMPIONS OF SHAOLIN: In most respects a quite terrible film, somewhat redeemed by some excellent fight scenes and one great moment of drama just before the end. Suffers mostly from some terrible acting, and... well, a really ugly cast! Maybe it was the makeup. There's no denying that by 1980, Chang Cheh's films were a lot cheaper looking and more primitive than they were a decade earlier.