Ren she da zhan

One of the most demented Asian exploitationers of the period that's part martial arts comedy gold, part genuinely disturbing reptilian snuff film, no other killer creature feature hates its animals as much as Calamity of Snakes. Thousands of snakes are chopped, skinned, burned, bulldozed and butchered on camera and in horrific detail; when they're not being killed, people are talking about killing them. Stolen musical score aside (don't think I wouldn't notice such a casual use of The Alan Parson Project and Bill Conti's score to For Your Eyes Only), it's a hypnotically engaging film and even with the gruesome, downright despicable displays being perpetrated onscreen, I couldn't bring myself to turn away. Moving at a lightning pace with snake bites coming thick and fast, there's a weird fascination watching so horrific unfold before your very eyes, taking the influence of Jaws to the farthest possible reaches. Calamity of Snakes isn't a good movie, even with a beyond-insane human-cobra Kung Fu duel, it's sure as hell entertaining; though it will ultimately hinge on your tolerance for excessive animal cruelty more than the sheer bizarreness of it all. It's undeniably a bit of an endurance test and mainly one for the terminally curious who think they've seen it all.

Holy crap this movie was something else. Calamity of Snakes is the absolute perfect title for this flick. I've never seen a calamity like this...and whowee was this a calamity. A hell of a calamity. A calamity with f'in snakes!! If you're looking for a film that portrays a calamity, don't look any further. Though if you suffer from ophidiophobia, then maybe you should pass, but again, if you're looking for a calamity based film or are a fan of calamity type films, this is a MUST see.

The version you will most likely see is the Cantonese dubbed, non-subtitled version. But hell, it doesn't matter in the slightest. Here's the story. While during the construction of a Condominium/Hotel/Building the workers find a jam packed den full of snakes. The evil dude behind this all could give a crap about the snakes and personally disposes of the first batch he sees. Well, this doesn't sit too well with the snakes. They are a proud species. And who'd deny that? Nobody that's who! They've been around much longer than us, and will most likely be around after we kick the bucket. Well, the snakes take revenge. From cobras to green tree pythons to gigantic, tail bashing, whipping, smacking, reticulated pythons! They take revenge seriously. Ruining dance parties, baths, bathroom breaks, naps, and even sewing. Believe it! You wouldn't believe the human activities they end up ruining! The humans strike back, but are they up for the challenge when thousands and thousands of snakes are flying through the air, biting faces, ankles, fingers...oh my.

Calamity of Snakes is the first venture I've taken into Snakesploitation, and tell ya what, after seeing this, it won't be the last. Though, I do have to warn you, just in case you've chosen my comment to read and no others I'm kinda forced to tell you this. This movie has barely any special effects. The only special effects I saw was a fake snake, some bloody faces, and some speeding up to make the snakes seem more threatening. So that means when the people kill the snakes, yep, they are really hacking, slashing, biting, stepping, throwing, burning, biting these poor snakes. At first you're taken back, since it's kinda sad that they actually are killing these snakes. I have a ball python as a pet, and I'd hate to see my baby writhe on the ground in it's final attempts at survival. So if you're offended by animal cruelty, you may want to think about it. But at the same time, the movie has a silly, goofy tone to it as well. And it's arguably a really entertaining movie. Though if you're a big time animal rights person, nothing will sway you to seeing this movie...and I don't blame ya. But this movie is one hell of a ride, and it's one hell of a calamity too. A calamity that involves snakes! Now who wouldn't want to see that?! Hmmmm?

It's very difficult to get a good copy of this film - and if you can get hold of one, the tape is most often only in Cantonese language.

During the construction of luxury apartment buildings a huge nest of thousands of snakes is discovered. Francis Chang (the boss) refuses to delay the construction and orders to kill all the animals. He is repeated warned by his wife, who had some nightmares concerning him and the snakes. They do not manage to kill all snakes and so they take revenge on the construction workers and Francis Chang. Soon thousands of killer snakes under the lead of a giant Boa invades the building an kill all the new inhabitants. Even a snake master can't stop them.

The bad thing about this trash-film is, that they kill and burn the snakes for real ... (unfortunately NO Special-FX)! On the other side the scenes with thousands of real snakes are extremely impressive. you will never forget this images and will always be happy not to be a Chinese actor in this film. A film from the days when they did not spoil everything with cheap CGI-effects.

If you like more of this strange killer-animals-horror films from Hong Kong check also "Lewd Lizard", "Killer Snakes" (DVD), "Centipede Horror" (DVD)and "Sucubare"

Part of this film was used for a strange US-production called "Serpent Warriors" aka "Snake Inferno" (1985) "directed" by John Howard.

I don't remember now how I found out about this film - with that said, I'm so glad I did find it and that I watched a VHS rip on YouTube.

This movie is insane. As soon as I saw the concept, I knew I had to watch it. But it exceeded any expectations I had. It starts with how they kill the snakes; I don't consider this as a spoiler as it's in the plot summary. They use a freaking BULLDOZER! They say there are 80 THOUSAND snakes in the pit when they find it. You need serious firepower for that.

The ridiculousness only goes up from there. I definitely recommend this film if you enjoy cult horror, or even a kung fu/martial arts fan, you would enjoy. I got Shaw Brothers vibes.

The one thing I didn't love is what I assume to be the live skinning of a snake, as well as the killing of many snakes in that first scene setting the pace for the murder rate through the runtime. I'm posting this as a warning for this who watch and aren't expecting to see a snake heart still beating, or a snake and a badger fighting to the death. If it makes you feel any better, it really makes you root for the snakes! The badger part was really unnecessary, and goes on for way too long.

Watching the snakes get their revenge is pretty insane. So many snakes! The snake budget for this film must have been astronomical. It's awesome watching them cause destruction in large numbers, including a massive Boa.

In all, give this a try. Skip the animal cruelty if you would rather avoid it - they make it obvious when it's about to happen. Aside from that, I really enjoyed it and I'm glad I stumbled upon it.

Cobra crushing, python pounding, boa bashing, mamba mashing, and all round general asp annihilation: Calamity of Snakes' catalogue of real-life cruelty to the lowly serpent is simply quite staggering, and makes this early 80s example of Hong Kong snakesploitation unmissable for fans of the downright weird and absurd (although definitely not one for animal lovers).

Featuring more scaly skin than Judith Chalmers in a hall of mirrors, William Chang's unbelievably silly snake-snuff movie sees thousands of the wriggly critters invade an exclusive high-rise apartment block seeking revenge for the wholesale slaughter of their pals during the construction of the building. As the hissing horde slithers and slides from room to room to attack the residents, a group of highly trained reptile exterminators (in fetching silver overalls and matching helmets) race to the rescue, armed with dry ice and flame throwers. But will even they be able to handle the ferocious monster boa that leads the reptilian rampage?

Totally outrageous from start to finish, with endless animal violence (no budget for fancy animatronics in this one!), 'crazy' Hong Kong comedy (speeded up footage ala Benny Hill, a fat woman who eats like a pig, and an old bloke whose hair stands on end), snake-fu, and dreadful disco dancing, Calamity of Snakes is one of those rare treats that makes hunting for obscure movies worthwhile. Apart from a few talkative scenes which do slow down the action a little, this is pure trash entertainment.