Review by BrianDanaCamp

AVENGING WARRIORS OF SHAOLIN (aka SHAOLIN RESCUERS, 1978) is an above-average entry in the series of kung fu films starring the group of actors known as the Five Venoms (KID WITH THE GOLDEN ARM, KILLER ARMY, DAREDEVILS OF KUNG FU, TWO CHAMPIONS OF SHAOLIN, etc.). Four of the Venoms operate as a team here while the fifth is the lead villain. Like several of director Chang Cheh's earlier films, this one follows the aftermath of the burning of the Shaolin temple and the travails of the fugitives and their Manchu pursuers. Although the most famous character-Fong Si Yu-is briefly glimpsed early on, the main focus here is on Hung Si Kwan (who was often paired with Fong Si Yu in earlier films).

Hung Si Kwan (played by Jason Pai Piao) hides out in a town where he is sheltered by the four good Venoms who all hold down regular jobs. Kuo Chui works as a waiter; Lo Mang makes bean curd; Sun Chien works in a dye factory; Chiang Sheng works for a traveling opera troupe. Each of the four practices their kung fu in the context of their daily work, e.g. Kuo Chui (aka Philip Kwok) uses rice bowl and chopsticks as weapons, a technique taught by his father (seen in flashbacks) who trained him to use anything at hand as weapons. The practice scenes are all quite clever and laced with humor. The entire film is shot inside the Shaw Bros. studio.

There's a big fight at the end in which Hung Si Kwan and the four Venoms take on fifth Venom Lu Feng and his four Manchurian henchmen in an all-out battle in which the combatants use a variety of weapons. The Venoms are always exciting to watch in action, especially when most of them work as a team. While this may not rank with their best films, it's nonetheless a worthy entry in the Venoms' large, but short-lived, body of work.