Das Todesduell der Shaolin

This movie has it all! Fast paced combat scenes, beautiful cinematography, compelling characters, and an epic plot of honor and betrayal. As I watched this movie, it was at once a really cool kung fu film and an intelligently written, acted, and directed film. Trust me on this one! If you're a fan of this genre at all, then check this film out.

This was a good martial arts flick. There were good special effects, enjoyable fight sequences and decent acting; moreover, there was something that you don't see the Chinese movies from that era: A sympathetic Japanese character.

Not to say that the Japanese champion (played by Norman Chu) is a good person...far from it; but, he is honorable. He is also three dimensional. He is kind to children and not a thug. If you've seen martial arts movies with Japanese characters, you can understand how different this is.

If you already like Chinese Kung Fu movies, this one is worth an evening...

Beautiful, confusing, chaotic. Motivations hard for us westerners to understand. (The great combat is fought not for riches or territory, but only for honor.) Gleefully bends the laws of physics, and plays with your reason in the finest HK (Hong Kong) tradition.

I have shared this film with folks who had not previously experienced HK film, and they were instantly captivated. Or should I say captured. By the Ninjas.

Because -- this film's certainly got the Ninjas! Surf Ninjas! Sand Ninjas! Exploding Ninjas! Tree Ninjas! Flying Ninjas! Roof Ninjas! Giant Ninjas! Kite Ninjas! Naked Girl Ninjas! (Oh, that long-haired Naked Fu...)

Just as with life, every time things quiet down in this film, you may be sure the Ninjas will pop up to keep things lively.

Watch this and be captured. You have been warned.

Duel to the Death (1982) is Ching Siu-tung at his best! Classic Kung-Fu at it's best. See wire work and kinetic martial arts at it's best. The plot is old hat (China vs. Japan) but the action is pure eye candy! Ching Siu-tung went on to become on of the elite action directors in the Hong Kong Cinema (check out A Better Tomorrow II, The Killer and The Heroic Trio films and see why!) The movie was re-released in the United States but it's the cut version. I advise you to seek out the uncut Hong Kong version, you wont be disappointed!

You can see that this movie is still very influential. Even to this day film makers such as "Q" love this film.

Highly recommended!

The Tick would be proud!! Anyway, I happened to see this on a lark one Saturday on the Action Channel and fell in LOVE! I rushed out and found it on DVD, much to my little kung fu heart's surprise. The plot is a little hard to follow in places, but it makes for fun viewing, especially the NINJAS! They make some great entrances, coming in on kites being the best! Mommy, can I get my very own Ninja Kite? And you haven't lived until you've seen a NAKED ninja (hmm, never learned THAT move in Tai kwon do)! Just go with me on this one. Find it, buy it, rent it, kill if you must! This is one of the best/silliest kung fu movies you'll ever see.