Shaolin Red Master 1

SHAOLIN RED MASTER is one of those kung fu movies where everything is shrouded in mystery for so long into the story that by the time we learn what we need to know, we find it wasn't worth the effort. This is too bad because there are some good performers and a handful of good fights, including a great knockdown, drag-out hand-to-hand bout at the end between star Chi Kuan-Chun and villain Chang Yi.

Directed by Sung Ting Mei, the film opens with a lengthy treatise on Tibetan Buddhism and its spin-off Lamaism and its Red and Yellow branches, all of which have virtually nothing to do with the movie proper. Instead, the plot is all about a stolen box of Ancient Ginseng originally prescribed for an ailing kung fu master by a doctor who was then killed. Ten years later, the doctor's son, Su (Chi Kuan-Chun), seeks revenge and winds up mixing in with a group of shady characters including Flying Tiger Chi Pao (Lung Fei) and the attractive but deceptive Miss Hung (Hu Chin). All paths eventually lead to a `Red Master' called `Old Devil' (Chang Yi) who is also looking for a hidden Jade Buddha.

Su continuously intervenes when other characters are attacked, usually by killer monks, but he gradually arrives later and later until, one by one, the various characters die before he can save them, none of which seems to bother him very much. There is a fat waiter and his equally hefty wife who help out Su, but also provide questionable comic relief, including a scene where the couple is about to make love but are interrupted by the boss lady, Miss Hung.

It's not a bad movie, but the unnecessarily busy plot slows things down and actually keeps the hero from doing what he does best, i.e. fight! Better known for playing Hu Wei Chien in several of Chang Cheh's Shaolin Temple films, Chi Kuan-Chun is in fine form here, as fit and toned as ever. Short, but with long and well-muscled arms and legs, Chi found few opponents who made a good fit with him on screen, but he is particularly well-matched with Chang Yi in the final battle. Chi made lots of films in Taiwan after leaving Shaw Bros., from the sublime (EAGLE'S CLAW, also with Chang Yi) to the ridiculous (IRON NECK LI). SHAOLIN RED MASTER was shot on location in Taiwan and while it's well-directed it pales next to the same director's TRAITOROUS (1976).

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• herpo
• kungfu
• kung
• fu

[MrsOscarWilde]

I don't get why people are often ridiculing kung-fu movies, this artists/fighters deserve respect. They're freaking cool.

[3dmund2006]

luv the kung u classics ... thanks for posting

[maurycyandrasz]

BORING......

[AKennerson]

i like how he beat everyone down in the intro then casually got his coat and walked off.

[enyceiceberg]

I love these movies they just don't make them like these anymore I can never get tired of watching them. I wish they make more of these movies instead of the crap they make nowadays in america

[Devestato72]

I dont think anyone watches kung fu movies for the plot. More so for the charecters, entertainment and fights. No one walks away from a movie and says, i didnt learn anything......they all have the same plot, but still entertaining

[rockgome]

wow i remeba watching this movie in the age of 15yo damn still look good this days

[reaper060670]

Thnx for posting these films my friend..I didn't know there was a real difference between any of the monks but the beginning of this part 1 has taught me otherwise..It's a lot of history in the monks. Shaolin and all that kinda thing..The martial arts are astounding at times..Some of the movement is superb..I love watching this..Imagine being able to perform these arts? Man alive! again thnx for posting!!!

[sunpg100]

@Babouzi Hi i know, historical the real origin of martial arts is mother of muay thai (muetai) come from india,.

[sunpg100]

is it similiar to bruce lee style or not ?

[lildertygangsta]

i really dont like it how everybody wants to be like bruce lee now when with the body in the movies lmfao u cant be bruce bruce is bruce but these guys are GOOD!

[Hanoshiro]

that shaolin monk who chi was fighting with..... that guy is chen sing