Fists of Iron

The early 90's was awash with baggy trousered guys fighting in the gardens of private mansions, underground car parks or rings, each with terribly cheesy acting, hammy fight scenes, and long hair.

While that was going on, us real fans of action and martial arts, were getting stuck in to the very best of Hong Kong cinema courtesy of Jackie, Sammo, Yuen Biao and the rest of the stars that put any US film to shame!

I remember when Enter The Shootfighter came out on video. The cover wasn't overly tempting and it seemed the distributors weren't trying too hard to pull in an audience.

So I ignored it.

Recently though, I found it on DVD in my local Poundland, and having since become a fan of the handsome and talented Michael Worth, I thought I'd give it a go.

Pleasantly surprised, in regards to its story and action, we also had the bonus of getting B-movie stars such as the hilariously OTT Matthias Hues and Marshall Teague in the bad corner, with cult faves Same Jones and Eric Lee as Worths training masters who pulled things off quite well.

Michael Worth has always impressed. I can't understand why such a good looking guy, with great body, fighting skills and decent acting ability, has never gotten that big break?!

In ETS, he doesn't fail to impress yet again, and as always, is a joy to watch.

No matter what title you pick it up as, ETS is an enjoyable 90 minutes of martial arts action, drama and comedy, that is still better than half of the crap they try dishing out today in the same genre!

Fists of Iron is your typical "Fight film with a heart". Even though the story's been told a zillion times, Director Munchkin gives it a fresh perspective. He brings the sometimes predictable script to life with interesting characters, and fight "maestro' Art Camacho does a great job with the fight action. Michael Worth makes up for his lack of charisma with his earnestness and veteran actors Sam Jones and Marshall Teague practically steal the show. Overall it is a very well done low budget flick proving that low budget doesn't have to equal bad filmmaking.

This is one of the weakest movies I have ever seen. The fighting in the movie cannot be called martial arts. The acting was horrible, the plot was senseless, and even the filming needed improvement.

There is nothing more to say than...Bad movie, stay away!

One of my first acting jobs. Marshall Teague co-stars as the wealthy mobster. You'll remember him getting his ass served to him by Patrick Swayze in Road House. Filmed in an actual mansion owned by the Executive Producer Aron Schifman. If you like martial arts movies you'll love this one!