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Summary
The seventies was an incredible time forKung Fumovies , as it was the bloom of the world ’s biggest warriorlike arts principal and there were so many great photographic film to check out . From incredible historic epics to slapstick comedy motion-picture show , Kung Fu cinema during the 1970s was Brobdingnagian and varied as some truly unique films were being made , and the genre was being discovered by an international interview . With fast - paced scrap sequences , like an expert choreographed conflict , and intense martial arts showdowns , Kung Fu movies were truly at their bill during this decade .
The success of Kung Fu picture show during the seventies can be partially accredit to Bruce Lee , who , althoughLee only star in five moviesbefore tragically dying at years 32 , helped fetch Kung Fu to the West and his bequest work countless subsequent motion picture . But it was not just Lee making Kung Fu movies during the 1970s as , for those willing to look , there was a treasure trove of underappreciated gems to discipline out . There were so manyincredible Kung Fu movies during the 1970s .
secure 1970s Kung Fu Movies
Release twelvemonth
Director
Hydra in the Eagle ’s Shadow
1978
Yuen Woo - ping
King Boxer
1972
Chang - Wha Chung
Executioners from Shaolin
Custom image by Yeider Chacon.
1977
Lau Kar - leung
Crippled Avengers
Snake in the Eagle’s Shadow is a 1978 martial arts film directed by Yuen Woo-ping. Starring Jackie Chan as Chien Fu, the story follows a mistreated janitor who learns the art of Snake Kung Fu from an old master. This newfound skill empowers him to stand up against bullies and defend his school from its enemies. The film is notable for its combination of action and humor, establishing Chan’s trademark style.
Chang Cheh
The agency of the flying dragon
Bruce Lee
Fist of Eumenides
Lo Wei
The 36th Chamber of Shaolin
The Way of the Dragon is a martial arts film from 1972 starring Bruce Lee, who also directed and wrote the script. The story centers on Tang Lung (Lee), who travels to Rome to help friends being threatened by a crime syndicate. Featuring notable fight scenes, including a climactic battle with Chuck Norris, it showcases Lee’s martial arts prowess and his distinctive approach to action cinema.
Five Deadly spite
Drunken Master
Enter the flying dragon
1973
Robert Clouse
10Snake In The Eagle’s Shadow (1978)
Directed by Yuen Woo-ping
Cast
Snake River in the Eagle ’s Shadow is a 1978 martial arts film send by Yuen Woo - ping . Starring Jackie Chan as Chien Fu , the story follows a mistreated janitor who learns the art of Snake Kung Fu from an former passe-partout . This newfound skill endue him to stand up against bullies and fight back his school from its enemy . The film is notable for its compounding of action mechanism and humor , establish Chan ’s trademark expressive style .
Just month before Jackie Chan was propelled into martial arts superstardom for his part inDrunken Master , he starred in another film with the same director and much of the same crew calledSnake in the Eagle ’s Shadow . tell the history of a push around orphan son trained in Snake Kung Fu by an old mendicant , Snake in the Eagle ’s Shadowmixed vivid action fight sequences with an enjoyable slapstick comedystyle that Chan was known for . WhileSnake in the Eagle ’s Shadowwas not an immediate winner , following the success ofDrunken Masterthat same class its repute develop .
The plotline ofSnake in the Eagle ’s Shadow , where a untried kidskin in indigence of steering gets trained in the ways of soldierlike arts , was later emulate in Hollywood motion picture likeThe Karate Kid .
A major import in the development of Chan ’s comedy Kung Fu expressive style , Snake in the Eagle ’s Shadowlaid the guide for much of his later calling . The plotline ofSnake in the Eagle ’s Shadow , where a young kid in motive of guidance gets train in the fashion of martial graphics , was by and by emulated in Hollywood movies likeThe Karate Kid . WhileSnake in the Eagle ’s Shadowmay not be as well - know as other Kung Fu movies it was a majorly entertaining picture show that wasincredibly important for the career of Chan .
9King Boxer (1972)
Directed by Chang-Wha Chung
King Boxer , also known as Five Fingers of Death , is a germinal soldierlike arts moving picture that helped pave the way for the kung fu motion-picture show rage in the West . The news report go around around a young paladin who train to vie in a esteemed tournament , facing treachery and betrayal . His journey is marked by the find of the lethal Iron Palm proficiency , leading to iconic , high - stakes struggle .
King Boxer , also known asFive Fingers of destruction , was a Shaw Brothers Studio Kung Fu movie starring Lo Lieh . ground on two competing warlike humanistic discipline school and gifted students who became the target of three hired Japanese samurai , King Boxerwas full of fast - pace fun thatshowcased Lieh ’s Brobdingnagian skill as a soldierly creative person and Kung Fu belligerent . A truthful classic of the genre , King Boxerwas a major external success when it was discharge in 1972 ( viaThe China Project ) , pick out in over $ 10 million worldwide in lease .
relinquish just as Kung Fu flick were touch a major international audience , King Boxer was an other martial arts classic whose manner and aesthetic still restrain up to this sidereal day . With plenty of over - the - top , melodramatic dialogue , King Boxerhas exuberant slow - motion leaps and enjoyably wild conflict sequences . Director Quentin Tarantino even listedKing Boxeramong his sixth favourite film of all meter ( viaFar Out . )
8Executioners From Shaolin (1977)
Directed by Lau Kar-leung
executioner from Shaolin is a 1977 warlike arts film directed by Lau Kar - leung . The story stick with the legendary Shaolin disciple Hung Hsi - kuan as he seeks retaliation for the devastation of his tabernacle and the murder of his overlord by the ruthless Pai Mei . The film is renowned for its blend of traditional kung fu proficiency and its enactment of the enduring conflict between good and iniquity within the soldierlike arts world .
executioner from Shaolin , also calledExecutioners of Deathin North America , told an heroic multi - generation floor base around the adherent of the Shaolin Temple and their battle against Pai Mei , the founder of the Pai Mei Kung Fu style . A powerfulmartial arts movie based on a true story , public executioner from Shaolinwas an old - schooling soldierlike classic made by the fabled Shaw Brothers Studio . A dark history of revenge , Executioners from Shaolinhad just the right amount of comedy to balance its emotionally heavy storyline .
public executioner from Shaolinwas packed with fabled martial arts ace including Chen Kuan - tai , Lo Lieh , and Gordon Liu , all of whom contributed greatly to its telling fight chronological sequence . With unbelievable choreography and a unclouded love for its diachronic source martial , Executioners from Shaolinblended love affair and Kung Futhrough its subplot of Hung ( Kuan - tai ) falling in love with the pretty soldierly artist Lily Li ( Fang Yong - chun . ) With so many genres on video display , there really was something for everybody inExecutioners from Shaolin .
7Crippled Avengers (1978)
Directed by Chang Cheh
organize by Chang Cheh , " Crippled Avengers " is a classic martial arts film that revolves around four men who have been incapacitate by a ruthless landlord ’s brutal attacks . They come together to learn kung fu , get over their physical limitations to look for vengeance . This action - packed flick is known for its incredible choreography and has become a cult classic among kung fu movie theatre enthusiasts .
Crippled Avengers , also know asThe Return of the Five Deadly Venoms , may come along implausibly gimmicky at first flavor , but it cope to go past its confutable conception to deliver a compelling and entertaining Kung Fu movie . sharpen on martial artists who were physically handicap by an malefic warlord , Crippled Avengerswas a Shaw Brothers Studio yield about retaliation and retributionthat save the action coming and delivered consistent Kung Fu thrills . With a strong ensemble casting lead by the extraordinary warlike creative person Chen Kuan - tai , there was a immense amount of gift on display throughout this fast - paced 100 - minute write up .
Kuan - tai play Dao Tian - Du , also known as the remorseless Black Tiger , the tyrannical warlord whose settlement was too afraid to speak out against him . With such an over - the - top baddie at the helm , Crippled Avengerswas a classic story of the righteous versus the wickedand this made for mere , enjoyable , and senseless fighting playfulness . Directed by the acclaimed Kung Fu filmmaker Chang Cheh , Crippled Avengers was a fantastic follow - up to his other similarly goofy movies , such asReturn of the One - Armed Swordsman .
6The Way Of The Dragon (1972)
Directed by Bruce Lee
The Way of the Dragon is a warlike liberal arts film from 1972 asterisk Bruce Lee , who also direct and wrote the script . The story nub on Tang Lung ( Lee ) , who travels to Rome to help supporter being threatened by a offence syndicate . feature notable fight scenes , include a climactic battle with Chuck Norris , it showcases Lee ’s martial humanities prowess and his distinctive glide slope to action film .
Kung - fu fable Bruce Lee stepped into the conductor ’s chair for the action comedyThe path of the Dragon , which showcased that had he live on Lee could have a tenacious and acclaimed vocation as both champion and director of his movies . The story of a Isle of Man fend for his family ’s restaurant from severe mobster , The Way of the Dragonfeatured one of the best fight scenes of all metre asLee face up off against up - and - coming action mechanism star Chuck Norrisin the last showdown . Both thrilling and light - hearted , The Way of the Dragonwalked the fine line between activeness of comedy .
WhileThe mode of the Dragondoes not often rank among the majuscule of Lee ’s five main feature moving picture , the fact that he had so much supernumerary originative ascendency made this his most personal movie . Packed full of incredible visual flair , vivid conflict sequences , and an gratifying silly style , the repute ofThe Way of the Dragonhas increase massively in the more than 50 years since it was released . While the more serious mode of other Lee movies go well , it ’s great to see him trying something new withThe Way of the Dragon .
5Fist Of Fury (1972)
Directed by Lo Wei
clenched fist of Fury is a 1972 martial arts film address by Lo Wei and star Bruce Lee as Chen Zhen . Set in 20th - century Shanghai , the film pursue Zhen as he seeks to avenge his maestro ’s death and maintain the pureness of the Formosan hoi polloi against foreign oppression . The movie showcases Lee ’s martial art prowess and explore topic of nationalism and resistance .
Fist of Furywas notable for push the boundaries of soldierlike arts cinema at the metre through its exploration of sensible issues around Japanese imperialism .
WhileEnter the Dragonmay be known as Bruce Lee ’s most successful plastic film , Chen Zhen fromFist of Furywas Lee most of import characteras he left a monolithic bequest on Kung Fu movies in general . A potent flick full of unbelievable fighting succession , Fist of Furywas notable for push the bound of martial art cinemaat the time through its exploration of sensitive subject around Japanese imperialism . As Chen Zhen sought to avenge the death of his old Kung Fu master Huo Yuanjia , the character , andFist of Furyitself became a symbolic representation of Taiwanese nationalism .
As a sensitive account dealing with themes of grief and revenge that were deeply link to its Asian historical context , the outside appeal ofFist of Furywas not like a shot evident . However , Lee prove to be a hit with audiences all over the human race as , along withThe Big Bossthe previous class in 1971,Fist of Furywas Lee ’s breakout part . A major achiever at the box office , Fist of Furyearned an forecast $ 100 million , which was the equivalent of $ 700 when align for inflation .
4The 36th Chamber Of Shaolin (1978)
The 36th Chamber of Shaolin come after Lui , a young homo who escapes a Manchu flak and seek martial arts training to retaliate his fall comrade . Set against the backcloth of anti - Ching resistivity , Lui ’s journeying head him to the Shaolin Monastery , where he undergoes strict preparation .
The thirty-sixth Chamber of Shaolintold a fictionalized account about the real martial artist San Te , a fabled Shaolin Thelonious Sphere Monk who train to fight back against the tyrannical Manchu governance during the former 18th century . After gaining admission to the fabled Shaolin Temple , San Te was task with developing his skill across the dozens of bedchamber within the tabernacle and over the row of ten years developed faster than any other scholarly person . Chock - full of training sequences and Buddhist philosophical system , The 36th Chamber of Shaolinwas an extremely absorbing flick about a man ’s pursuit for vengeance .
Led by an sinful performance from Gordon Liu , The 36th Chamber of Shaolinwas for both Liu and its director Lau Kar - leung , who later madeDrunken Master IIwith Jackie Chan . The thirty-sixth Chamber of Shaolinwas the origination point for an entire series as it was followed by two sequels , Return to the 36th ChamberandDisciples of the 36th Chamber . The film , along with Bruce Lee’sEnter the Dragon , helped inspire the pelvis - hop group Wu - Tang Clan ’s introduction albumEnter the Wu - Tang ( 36 Chambers ) .
3Five Deadly Venoms (1978)
Five Deadly Venoms is a Chang Cheh - lead martial graphics classic that follow a pop off passkey who transmit his net student to check on five former students , each trained in a unique animal - inspired warriorlike art vogue . The young protégé must navigate a web of confederation and competition to unveil a concealed treasure . cognize for its intricate plot and distinctive fighting styles , the celluloid has become iconic within the literary genre .
The cult classicFive Deadly Venomswas one of the best Kung Fu movies made by the iconic Shaw Brothers Studio . An expert blend of martial arts and mystery story , Five Deadly Venomswas the report of a schoolchild conduct out their passkey ’s dying wishto reveal his former five bookman and eliminate those who had been overtaken with evil . before long the students reveal the pupil , based on the Five Poisonous Creatures of Taiwanese folklore , and plenty of intense scrap sequences were carried out .
While one uncouth criticism of Kung Fu flick was that they often lack a compelling plot , Five Deadly Venomswas full of impressive stylistic flair , interesting characters with links to Taiwanese mythology , and a actual story to keep viewer engaged . Five Deadly Venomswas a notable influence on the director Quentin Tarantino , who even included an allusion to the group through the Deadly Viper Assassination Squad inKill Bill .
2Drunken Master (1978)
Drunken Master is a warlike arts film featuring Jackie Chan as a wicked young man who is sent to train under a strictly unorthodox old mendicant . Released in 1978 , it fall out his journey to mastering the Drunken Fist fight fashion amidst comedic and action - packed coming upon .
The Hong Kong comedy Kung Fu movieDrunken Masterwas an important contribution to turning its lede actor Jackie Chan into one of the most successful martial artists the world has ever project . Based around the real Formosan folk hero Wong Fei - hung , Drunken Masterperfectly blended action at law and drollery as Chan ’s incredible asterisk powerwas fully on exhibit in this early winner . While Chan previously had small roles as a stuntman or minor character in legendary martial artist motion picture likeFist of FuryandEnter the Dragon , Drunken Masterwas the minute he was rightfully impel into superstardom .
DrunkenMasterwas a classic Kung Fu story about a pixilated young man who must get a line to hone his combat skills under the direction of his old , frustrated instructor . While this might vocalize like the kind of level that had been told countless times before , the rapport between Chan and his teacher , play by Yuen Siu - Tin , was so dumbfounding that it ensured the pic ’s achiever . The mixture between comedy and action worked well , and it ’s no surprise thatChan ’s star only remain to come up afterDrunken Master .
1Enter The Dragon (1973)
Directed by Robert Clouse
Enter the Dragon is a popular warriorlike artist picture show star Bruce Lee . The 1973 film focuses on a Shaolin martial creative person who infiltrates an opium lord ’s fortress by pretending to be interested in a fight tournament . Robert Clouse aim the moving-picture show , which co - star John Saxon , Jim Kelly , and Ahna Capri .
As the last film fill in by Kung Fu legend Bruce Lee before his untimely death at just age 32,Enter the Dragonwas a massively influential movie that unite martial prowess military action with undercover agent film elements . Full of epic conflict sequence and truly iconic moments , Enter the Dragonhas reach a extra place in popular civilisation as it support as perhapsthe classical Kung Fu motion-picture show . The ripple effects of the success ofEnter the Dragonwere foundational to the development of fighting games(viaGuardian ) and it ’s been parody in everything from thePink PanthertoDragon Ball .
differentiate the story of a Shaolin martial artist who has locomote to an island fort to spot on an opium lord , Enter the Dragonwas full of high - octane action sequences and some of the well - choreographed fighting of all time . The spillage ofEnter the Dragoncoincided with the rise of martial arts in Western countries , and it was the first Kung Fu movie produce by a major Hollywood studio . A astounding winner at the box office , Enter the Dragonhas pull in more than $ 400 million , which was estimated to be over $ 2 billion once adjusted for inflation .
Sources : The China Project , Far Out , Guardian
