For this edition of Martial Arts Mondays, we’ll focus on a 1983 Shaw Brothers studio classic, Shaolin Intruders. Directed by legendary action choreographer Tang Chia, the film combines incredible action with some wire work and a workable plot. Featuring respected actors Pai Piao (Hell’s Wind Staff), Derek Yee (Full Moon Scimitar), Chan Shen (Invincible Shaolin) and Philip Ko (8 Diagram Pole Fighter), expect nothing less than martial arts mayhem from one of the best to arrange it.
A recent spike in the murders/robberies of respected security bureaus has worried the martial world. A golden blade recovered at the scene of one of the murders has seemingly implicated fighter Yeh Hsing Hua in the crimes. Her love interest Lei Shin (Derek Yee) and his gambling confidant Chai Yi Tao (Pai Piao) work to clear her name of any wrongdoing after she claims she witnessed the killers raiding a treasury room. She reports that the killers are Shaolin monks, which naturally results in a collective gasp from the martial world. After clashing with the head of discipline (Lee Hoi San [36th Chamber of Shaolin]) and the abbot of Shaolin (Chan Shen), they are allowed to investigate the Shaolin monks, provided they pass 3 rounds of combat with the head priests of the temple. The truth eventually comes to light, after a few plot twists courtesy of master screenwriter Ni Kuang, culminating with some amazing fight scenes and jaw-dropping stunts.
Although Tang Chia only directed 3 movies for Shaw Brothers (the other 2 being Shaolin Prince (1982) and Opium and the Kung Fu Master (1984)), his work as action choreographer is highly respected amongst the kung fu film industry. As a respected conductor of martial arts mayhem, you can rest assured you’ll get your money’s worth with this film. There are sequences which stand up admirably to any big budget scenes filmed by major studios in contemporary cinema. The fight between Lei Shin, Chai Yi Tao and the abbot and the final sequence come to mind, with Tang Chia outdoing himself in regards to creativity (you can imagine him thinking to himself “how can I top my last scene?”). The film is indeed a worthy addition to any fan’s collection; deeming it a solid purchase is quite the understatement.
Purchase Shaolin Intruders via Amazon.
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