The Five Deadly Venoms
After reviewing a mediocre Kung-Fu movie, I decided it was time to review one of the greatest. This masterpiece of the genre was directed by Chang Cheh, one of the more prolific and talented directors in the Shaw Brothers’ stable.
The plot is this: An old master is dying. He is the head of the Legendary Poison Clan. His old partner had absconded with funds from the clan, and his past pupils knew about this, but not where the old man had gone. The old Master before dying charges his newest pupil with checking in on his old students, who each know a signature brand of Kung-Fu, and if they are doing evil deeds, eliminate them. There is the Lizard, the Toad, Centipede, Scorpion, and the Snake. The beauty of this set up is that each student has a visually unique style with distinct strengths and weaknesses. The new pupil is no match for any of the old pupils, unless he teams with one of them to take on all the others.
The old master sends his newest student to the town where he last knew of his old partner living. From there, there is a small mystery of who is which of the Five Deadly Venoms, and which one the newest member of the Poison Clan will team up with to right the wrongs of the others.
The fights in this movie are choreographed wonderfully, and again each style is represented well. The characters are some of the most engaging in the genre, and it helps a simple plot become great.
Clips from this movie will be familiar to fans of the Wu-Tang clan, as this is one of the Rza’s favorite movies, and some of the dialogue has been sampled into a few of their songs.
Unlike other Dragon Dynasty picture’s re-releases, the sound in this flick is impeccable.
All around one of the best the genre has to offer.
5 Deadly Venoms out of 5.
The Shaolin Grandmasters’ Text
Whether interested in history, old Kung Fu movies, or philosophy, this is a beautiful book to own. Filled with history of ancient China, the Shaolin Order, and other Buddhist sects, this book covers a lot of ground.
Written in a very conversational style, the book grabs the reader in the first chapter and doesn’t let go. Most of the book is based on the oral history kept by the monks of this Ch’an Buddhist sect. Kill Bill fans will appreciate the story of who Pak Mei was, and women will be glad to read about the equal rights position that the Shaolin have held for centuries. The stories of the monks fleeing the Red Army of China, and resettling in America are touching and filled with what seems to be longing for a traditional homeland, before communism, and the abuses of the early 20th Century to now.
Kung-fu fans will not be disappointed in this volume. The book details traditional Shaolin training methods, and forms of Kung-Fu, with forms and histories of these revered styles.
Buddhists hoping to read about this enigmatic sect also will have their hands full. The history, Kung-Fu, meditations, and stories in this book all come back to the most important part of these monks lives: Their Buddhism. The comparisons in the book between different sects of Buddhism, and definitions of terms are great for any novice or even experienced practitioner to teach themselves.
This is one of the most beautiful books I have ever read. Definitely recommend it for anyone looking to learn about another culture. A bonus to buying this book is that the proceeds go to helping fund the Shaolin in the United States.
5 Namastes out of 5.
