Nerfs d'acier, gants de velours

The Jeffersons' honeymoon night in Hong Kong will be troubled by a number of people wishing to get hold of a Buddha statuette that the husband offered her when window-shopping that day. When the going gets rough, it helps that Cal Jefferson is a top American boxer...

I was at a friend's house in Milwaukee and she had on a local station playing "Ghoulies". So far, so good. During the commercials, it said "Swamp Thing" was next followed by "Bamboo Gods and Iron Men". I was intrigued. I did not get to see any pictures or previews, and I had never heard of the movie (and judging by the ranking here, neither has anyone else). I had to see it.

Because of it being after the movies it was, I thought it was going to be a jungle adventure film, maybe some elements of fantasy or science fiction. I did not expect an amalgamation of martial arts and boxing... but I have no complaints! How did the station even find this movie? No idea, but I am glad it did.

This movie has it ! The formula for fun and entertainment. OK so its lacking in some areas but for whatever it lacks it certainly makes up for in the humor and action department. This movie will certainly appeal to different range of people , including those who are into the Black Action movies of the seventies and fans of the seventies Martial Arts films. This movie is a combination of both genre's.

The film starts off with an interesting almost surreal beginning and kicks off with a super funky 1970's instrumental theme . The music is by Tito Sotto ! Tito Sotto who was also an actor ,later on became a senator in the Philippines. Among his other music work he composed the music for a film called Blind Rage , a movie which featured Leo Fong and Fred The Hammer Williamson. Anyway the other music throughout the movie ranges from good easy jazzy lounge to very funky.

The film itself starts off almost with a setting from a Hammer Horror film of the sixties or early seventies and one could almost think that they're in store for something like The Legend Of The Seven Golden Vampires which was a Hammer / Golden Harvest . But thats where the similarity ends.

Instead the movie is about an Black American newly wed couple , a champion boxer and his bride on their honeymoon . And they get caught up in events because of reasons that aren't apparent to them for quite a long time. Instead of being romantic with his beautiful bride (Shirley Washington) Cal Jefferson "The Champ" (James Iglehart)has to fend off assailants and can't understand why they are after him or what they want.

There is something that the bad guys are after and will stop at nothing to get. Something very deadly ! Along the way they inherit a Chinese Mute companion who gets caught up in events and the action. He happens to be a skilled martial artist and these skills of his are put to good use.

All of this puts a bit of suspense into the movie and along with some good fight scenes and some comic moments thrown in this movie makes for an enjoyable film.

There is a good memorable climax and ending to this movie. This all makes sense and if you've forgotten what the story was about for some reason then this will remind you.

There is a good cast in this movie , James Iglehart some will recognize as Randy Black from Beyond The Valley Of The Dolls 1970 ... Angels Hard as They Come 1971 (a biker movie) . The lovely Shirley Washington as his bride , also Marissa Delgado , Chiquito ,Eddie Garcia and Ken Metcalfe star in this film. Also as a bonus you'll see Vic Diaz in a cameo role as a hotel clerk.

Out of the movies of this type and in this genre I would say that this is definitely one of the better ones . I can see most people watching this and enjoying it only a few very fussy people would possibly be disappointed.

And if there was anything more funky than the theme , what about the title ?

BAMBOO .... GODS .... AND .... IRON .... MEN

James Iglehart (Randy Black in "Beyond the Valley of the Dolls") is front and centre for this amiable, goofy Filipino martial arts action flick. Iglehart plays Cal Jefferson, American prizefighter honeymooning in Asia with his new bride (Shirley Washington). While shopping, they obtain a seemingly worthless Buddha statue that actually contains something very valuable to some very bad guys. Leo King (Filipino exploitation mainstay Ken Metcalfe, who also co-wrote the story & screenplay) is chief among them. But Cal has an asset: a mute Chinaman (Chiquito) whom he dubs "Charley"; Cal saves Charley from drowning and the grateful Charley becomes Cals' constant companion.

"Bamboo Gods and Iron Men" is overall not a terribly memorable movie, but making it above average for a movie of this kind is its generous doses of comedy. It's often very funny, and director Cesar Gallardo and company play all of this material with real winks in their eyes. This movie has quite a bit of energy, and superb pacing. It also makes sure to be exploitative, of course, with a fair bit of eye candy for viewers. The fight scenes are generally well executed, and the stars all handle themselves capably. The story makes great use of a MacGuffin and concludes with a very bright gag, with several characters bursting into laughter at the absurdity of everything.

Iglehart could easily have had a more extensive career, as he has charisma and good chemistry with the sexy Ms. Washington. Chiquito is extremely appealing, and he and Iglehart likewise make a good pair. The supporting cast of familiar faces includes Metcalfe, offering a decent performance as the villain, Eddie Garcia, and Joseph Zucchero. Devotees of Filipino cinema will be pleased to note the presence of the always welcome Vic Diaz, in a cameo as a hotel clerk.

"Bamboo Gods and Iron Men" delivers solid, diversionary entertainment for 96 straight minutes, and deserves to be better known.

Eight out of 10.

"From Harlem to Hong Kong, they fear the name, the fame, the fury of Black Cal Jefferson, the Champ!" Cal Jefferson is on his honeymoon in the land of Bamboo Gods and Iron Men (i.e. Hong Kong) when they buy up a Buddha statue in a shop that a bunch of bad guys want, which leads to a bunch of boxing vs. Kung-fu fight scenes. BAMBOO GODS AND IRON MEN is a so-bad-it's-good kind of movie. The acting is embarrassing, the story is dumber than dumb, and worst of all, the fight scenes are soooooooo bad. Our hero even gains a mute helper buddy along the way after rescuing him, making the film even more stupid! This movie is strictly amateur hour, but like I said, it is so bad that I was able to enjoy it for its ineptitude. However, the movie did have a funky score that I legit enjoyed.

Grungy but likable AIP blaxpoitation/chop-socky mashup, produced in the Philippines and destined for the stateside grindhouse/drive-in circuit.

Genial beefcake James "Beyond the Valley of the Dolls" Iglehart toplines as a boxing champ honeymooning in Hong Kong who becomes the unwitting target of a murderous gang hellbent on recovering a priceless statuette. Needless to say, the bad guys get more than they bargained for since Brother Iglehart is one of the titular iron men. Our hero kicks ass, takes names, and wears the most eye-searing paisley shirts this side of Walter Matthau in EARTHQUAKE. Indeed, his threads alone seem weaponized to damage an opponent's optic nerves.

Bone-crushing action, mega-seedy locations and funkadelic music abound. Hardcore '70s action movie completists, take note.

Also in the house: Filipino comedy icon Chiquito as a cute mute, the ubiquitous Eddie Garcia (BEAST OF BLOOD's mad Dr. Lorca) and the inevitable and always welcome Vic Diaz.