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Shaw Brothers Studiowas creditworthy for some of thegreatest kung fu movies of all timeand continued produce unbelievable feature article films well into the 1980s . While this studio apartment ’s blossom was during the 1960s and 1970s , with classic releases likeThe One - Armed SwordsmanandThe 36th Chamber of Shaolin , maven like Gordon Liu and Lo Liehcontinued look in their movies in subsequent decades . Although the longstanding influence of Bruce Lee , Jackie Chan , and Golden Harvest mean the Shaw Brothers were not the only biz in town , the 1980s still saw many iconic exit .
Several of the great martial art star who ever lived counted themselves among theShaw chum ' telling roster of kung fu legends . Fromstories of Shaolin monksprotecting their honour to wuxia depictions of meter past , Shaw Brothers were never afraid to conflate up genres , as their passing included clowning , time period films , and even supernatural story . While kung fu film may have peaked in popularity during the 1970s , the 1980s feature plenty of undisputed classic from the Shaw Brothers Studio .
10Disciples Of The 36th Chamber (1985)
Directed by Lau Kar-leung
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As the third moving picture in aloose trilogy that also includedThe thirty-sixth Chamber of ShaolinandReturn to the 36th Chamber , the harsh truth was thatDisciples of the 36th Chamberwas the weakest of the bunch . While this kung fu vent pal up in comparing to the elite status of the original movie , it was still an enjoyable send - off for Gordon Liu ’s legendary portrayal of the Shaolin monastic San Te . As Liu undertake to protect his temple from the attacks of corrupt Chin officials , this kung fu spectacle is packed with well - choreographed fight .
With some lawful martial arts legends among its plaster cast , Disciples of the 36th Chamberfeatured the return of San Te , as in the previous movie Liu had played an imposter version of the fictional character . However , Fong Sai Yuk ( Hsiou Hou ) took up most of the screen time as a touchy youthful fighter whose most deliver quality was that they could back up all their cheeky confidence with real skills . As one of the final releases before Shaw Brothers briefly ceased farm flick and shift toward TV in the late eighties , Disciples of the thirty-sixth Chamberrepresented the end of an epoch .
9The Master (1980)
Directed by Lu Chin Ku
While the Shaw Brothers Studio may have overtop kung fu celluloid throughout the sixties and 1970s , the emergence of major new stars like the previous Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan caused them to adventure out and taste new thing . Lu Chin Ku’sThe Masterwas certainly an endeavor to emulate Chan ’s more fantastical style and unseamed ability to blend kung fu natural process choreography with hilarious slapstick bodily fluid . This intend thatThe Master , also released as3 Evil Mastersin the United States , had a much more lighthearted coming than previous films .
The Masterfeatured three antagonist , each with a separate fighting gimmick , who used their science to get the better of the kung fu teacher Lu Chin Ku ( Chen Kuan Tai ) and take over his martial art academy . However , a promising young student named Gao Jian ( Chiang Lin ) nurses his master back to healthand , in return , gets teach the private accomplishment needed to get the school back . With a definitive teacher - student soldierlike liberal arts movie set - up , The Masterrepresented Shaw Brothers ' continued appeal into the 1980s .
8My Young Auntie (1981)
While kung fu cinema has often been see as a male person - dominated genre , Shaw Brothers Studio often stepped outside of this stereotype to deliver some excellent female - lead fight films . My Young Auntiewas a keen representative of this as Kara Hui star , alongside the director Lau Kar - leung , in this first-class chronicle of a female fighter ’s skills being put to the psychometric test after she ’s storm to protect the deed of conveyance of the property she recently inherit .
My Young Auntiewas a light - hearted kung fu comedythat explored many of the same root word and idea asLady Is the Boss , a later film that reunited Kar - leung and Kara Hui . With an astounding performance , Kara Hui won Best Actress at the first Hong Kong Film Awards and showcased the go along presence of female martial artistry stars in the 1980s . As a fast - paced , play , and well - craft kung fu rom - com , My Young Auntiewas an enjoyable addition to the Shaw Brothers wide-ranging catalogue .
7The Boxer’s Omen (1983)
Directed by Kuei Chih-Hung
The Boxer ’s Omenexplored the more spiritual side of kung fu picture palace as a Hong Kong gangster and the brother of the heavyweight boxer Chan Wing travels to Thailand to revenge his sibling , who was paralyzed in a match . While a desire for payback was a standard dogma of many Shaw Brothers movies , thing take a supernatural turn as Wing gets caught up in a cabal of destiny , Buddhism , and dark magic .
Featuring battle necromancer and a style that conflate American horror movies with easterly religious mysticism , The Boxer ’s Omenwas a genre - bending glimpse into just how unique kung fu movie can get . While , at times , this can feel like two wildly unlike movies slapped together , that was also part of its alluring appeal . The Boxer ’s Omenworks well as a midnight movie and a sport alternative for kung fu lovers appear for something a fiddling routine different .
6Killer Constable (1980)
Directed by Chih-Hung Kwei
Killer Constablewas a warriorlike arts action plastic film by Shaw Brothers set amid the 19th - century Qing dynasty . As director Chih - Hung Kwei ’s one and only stop wuxia film , this historic story told of societal inequity among the poor and famish Han Chinese by the corrupt and covetous Manchu ruling class . With a direction on Justice Department , Killer Constablehad serious thematic depthas it search the cruelty of course war through its ruthless supporter , Leng Tian - Ying ( Chen Kuan - tai . )
With Leng Tian - Ying as the titular killer John Constable , this military officer ’s repute for killing thieves without remorse started to see his ill fame being used against him . With an almost noir aesthetic , Killer Constableexplored theme of law and order in a way that cut into deeply into the antihero qualities of its lead protagonist . Killer Constablewas a thought - agitative and effectual martial arts movie that signaled a new direction for Shaw Brothers product .
5Legendary Weapons Of China (1982)
Directed by Lau Kar Leung
This wuxia classic was jell during the Qing Dynasty and tells the story of Empress Dowager Cixi ’s requisition that her agents track down the unlike factions of the Boxer Rebellion and source supernatural soldierlike creative person who are invulnerable to Western bullet . As the title suggests , many of the various fights involve legendary weapons as several group of skilled fighters look off against one another . Featuring the Eighteen Arms of Wushu , which are the chief items of Chinese arms , it was throb to watch how this film include everything from staff press to twice - edged swords .
Legendary Weapons of Chinablended elements of Taoist Maoshan folks trick with hand - to - bridge player combatto create an action - packed vitrine of fight back stage dancing unlike anything else made by Shaw Brothers . With visual aspect from major stars like Gordon Liu and Alexander Fu Sheng , this was just one of the many Shaw Brothers titles that inspired the pelvis - hop group Wu - Tang Clan , as their 2011 compilation record album was titledLegendary Weapons .
4Return To The 36th Chamber (1980)
It ’s no secret that the originalThe thirty-sixth Chamber of Shaolinwas a real competitor for the greatest Shaw Brothers picture show of all time , so it ’s not surprising that it returned to a subsequence in 1980 . However , repay to the 36th Chambershook thing up , and , although itfeatured the return of kung fu star Gordon Liu , he play an entirely different character reference . Rather than reprise the iconic part of the monk San Te , Liu portray his imposter Chu Jen - chieh , a miserable - Florida key hustler who will stop at nothing to get word the ways of martial arts .
This unique idea for a continuation manage to conserve much of what made the original special and added an air of comedy that was previously escape . rejoin to the thirty-sixth Chamberfeatured a simple hero ’s journey of this imposter Thelonious Sphere Monk being defeated and survive to the temple to learn the skills he needed to emerge winning . While it did n’t divulge down any cinematic boundaries , it was still a deal of sport to revisit the iconic world of this kung fu serial .
3Clan Of The White Lotus (1980)
Directed by Lo Lieh
clenched fist of the White Lotus , directed by Lo Lieh , is an action warriorlike arts film released in 1980 . It follows a warrior named Pai Mei and his seeking for retribution against a seemingly unvanquishable foe known for his deadly White Lotus technique after his brother is murdered . With the help of of his brother ’s widow , Pai Mei trains to prepare himself for the ultimate showdown .
Director and mavin Lo Lieh delivered one of his very neat martial arts films with the 1980s kung fu classicClan of the White Lotus . Featuring Lo Lieh alongside the likes of Gordon Liu and Kara Hui , much like previous movies such asExecutioners from ShaolinandAbbot of Shaolin , it explore the floor of Priest White Lotus and his seeking for revenge against his sidekick Pai Mei ’s assassin .
Packed with some of the beneficial fight stage dancing ever conquer on screen , Clan of the White Lotushas gained a reputation as a true classic . From its deeply redolent music to the incredible martial arts skill on display , Clan of the White Lotusmixed fact and fiction to tell a thrilling story of non - stop excitement . Interestingly , Quentin Tarantino pay protection to the legacy of this moving picture when he cast Gordon Liu to make for Pai Mei inKill Bill , the same character who the Priest White Lotus was avenging in this film .
2Five Element Ninjas (1982)
Directed by Chang Cheh
Five Element Ninjascontinued in the tradition of Venom Mob free likeFive Deadly Venomsto distinguish another thriller martial arts story of fighting and fortitude . feature Venom Mob member Lo Mang under the accomplished direction of Chang Cheh , this film saw an outclassed ancient Formosan martial arts school hire a skilled ninja to take out their competitor . With only one survivor left from the fall school , this remarkable warrior learns the secrets of the ninjutsu before enact his retaliation against the hired ninja .
With a absorbing premise that lent itself well to over - the - top fight sequences and an emotionally involving fight for retribution , Five Element Ninjashad everything a watcher could want out of a 1980s Shaw Brother output . Things truly add up to a head in the fucking final 20 moment as the face-off reach sinful heights in a unfeignedly wild final battle . As a gore - souse piece of kung fu cinema , Five Element Ninjaswas almost cartoonish in its vehement excesses .
1The 8 Diagram Pole Fighter (1984)
The infrangible pinnacle of Shaw Brothers production during the eighties wasThe 8 Diagram Pole Fighter . As one of the nifty films to ever depict Shaolin monastic , this kung fu classic starred Gordon Liu as Ng - long entering the Shaolin Temple to increase his skill and teach the art of pole fighting . With unique weaponry at its nub , The 8 Diagram Pole Fighterfeatured some of the upright kung fu choreography of the 10 , as Liu showcased his intense stave - manage attainment .
With a story base on theGenerals of the Yang Familyin Taiwanese folklore , idea of retaliation and retribution come up to the forefront as Yeung Yip and his family were captured and killed , with just two Son making their escape and consecrate to pursue vengeance . As the concluding film part of kung fu legend Alexander Fu , there was so much to love about the larger-than-life triumph that wasShaw pal ' 1980 classicThe 8 Diagram Pole Fighter .
Custom image by Yeider Chacon.
Fists of the White Lotus, directed by Lo Lieh, is an action martial arts film released in 1980. It follows a warrior named Pai Mei and his quest for vengeance against a seemingly unbeatable foe known for his deadly White Lotus technique after his brother is murdered. With the help of of his brother’s widow, Pai Mei trains to prepare himself for the ultimate showdown.
