La Brute, le Bonze et le Méchant

Original title: Ma Yong Zhen

1972
16
2h 14m

IMDb RATING

7.0/10

1.6K

YOUR RATING

Chen Kuan-Tai in La Brute, le Bonze et le Méchant (1972)

Leaving the poverty of his life in Shantung to seek fortune in Shanghai, The Boxer is instead drawn into a world of corruption, gang warfare and evil... Where his only protection is his famed fighting technique.

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Kung Fu Martial Arts Action Crime Drama Romance

Leaving the poverty of his life in Shantung to seek a better one in Shanghai, a lowly martial artist is inspired by another kung fu master who moved to Shanghai and became a highly respected... Read allLeaving the poverty of his life in Shantung to seek a better one in Shanghai, a lowly martial artist is inspired by another kung fu master who moved to Shanghai and became a highly respected gangster, so he follows in his footsteps.Leaving the poverty of his life in Shantung to seek a better one in Shanghai, a lowly martial artist is inspired by another kung fu master who moved to Shanghai and became a highly respected gangster, so he follows in his footsteps.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.0/10

1.6K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

User reviews18

Featured review

10/10

Shaw Brothers Mania: The Boxer From Shan Tung

The Boxer From Shan Tung (1972) is a rags to riches story about a country bumpkin who aspires to become the greatest gangster of his era. Ma Yong Zhen makes a name for himself from the ground up by getting the poor and the down trodden to become a part of his "empire". But like all fast rising gangsters they have to fall sometime. The battle in the Tea House has to be the single greatest piece of action film-making I have ever seen. The usual Shaw Brothers players can be found in this two hour plus epic of bloodletting proportions. Kuan Tai Chen stars as Ma Yong Zhen. As usual he makes a great lead actor. He always sports a smile and never let his personal situations bring him down. Kuan also makes a credible butt kicking fighter. David Chiang has an extended cameo as Tan Si, a fellow gangster who becomes a mentor/friend to Ma. Feng Ku co-stars as one of the 4 Champions of Shan Tung, Wang Chung and Hark-On Fung have small roles as Tan Si's henchmen. Ching Li co-stars as the Tea House singer who falls for the mack-daddy charm of Ma Yong Zhen.

Check out the remastered print from Celestial Films. Not only is the film restored to it's original running time but the picture is in pristine condition and the English subs are excellent. Get ready for some action packed, bone crunching excitement!! Another winner from Chang Cheh and the Shaw Brothers!

Highest recommendation possible.

Trivia
According to Chen Kuan-Tai, most of the Shaw Brothers films took roughly two months to work on, but due to a tight schedule this had to be shot in one month. With this cramped schedule, director Cheh Chang was only able to direct during the night shoots, while uncredited director Hsueh-Li Pao directed during the day shoots.

Goofs
When the boss is dropped off to fight, overhead power lines are visible behind the driver.

Quotes
Mr. Chin: Lingzi, you have a lady's temper, but a maid's destiny.

Alternate versions
The Arrow Films "Shaw Scope Vol. 1" release of the film is the complete and uncut 134 min version of the film. Previous Celestial Pictures restorations were 130 min due to frame cuts (a practice that was criticized in the earlier Shaw Brothers restorations.)