Gu tong xiao

MASTER OF DEATH is a very typical kung fu film from Taiwan with the usual revenge-focused storyline. The hero of the piece I found more than a little big-headed; we're introduced to him as his wise old master sends him on his way, proclaiming that he's spent 18 years teaching him everything he knows so anything else would be a waste of time.

Chi Kuan-Chun heads back to his old township to discover a conspiracy surrounding the death of his parents. He swears vengeance on the man responsible, but discovering the guy's identity proves to be tricky, and meanwhile a number of deadly martial arts masters stand in his way. What follows is near-constant action, although sadly none of it is very exciting.

Kuan-Chun makes for a wooden hero and the film only comes to life when better actors show up in support, such as Wu Ma in a gambling scene or Lo Lieh in a stock cameo appearance. I liked some of the outdoor scenery but the fight scenes are too ordinary and cheap-looking to really entertain. Unfortunately, MASTER OF DEATH is a film like its title; completely forgettable.

Many of these old movies were retitled when released as VHS rentals. The resulting confusion is evident here. There are at least five movies that have the same alternate title as this one "Master of Death." The Tai Seng video release of this movie has an audio commentary soundtrack. I find it amusing that the commenters also get the title of the movie wrong. They think it is "Crazy Horse Intelligent Monkey". I'm also surprised they don't recognize Lee Wan-Chung as the old white hair master. He was in about 190 movies total. Anyway, the movie starts with Chi Kuan Chun being dismissed by his martial arts master because he has nothing left to teach him. He goes back home and things have changed for the worse. Overall, above average fights from start to finish, otherwise nothing special.

The whole cast and crew is Shaw brothers production with Shaw brothers removed.. Very Strange. Gu Tong Xiao aka "Death Proficient" is also labeled "the Shaolin Kid" elsewhere but Not within the movie is Hong Kong not Taiwan based.

Otherwise an excellent kung fu movie with plot, action, etc