Les cinq doigts de la mort

Although I don't really like most of the old school kung fu movies because of the lack of serious acrobatic skills, this is one that made me watch the whole time. It's an entertaining movie with some good action moments. 7/10.

It's sad that this obscure martial arts film from Thailand gets confused with a different film, from Shaw Brothers that shares the same name, "King Boxer." This movie, released a year before that more well-known title, is actually the better film. Unlike Shaw productions, we have a film that utilizes real location shooting, rather than fake sets with artificial landscapes. So we are treated to quite a tour of beautiful Thailand, with some unforgettable imagery. In this way, "The King Boxer" becomes a kind of 'love letter' to Thailand and it's fascinating culture.

A Chinese man is visiting Thailand, hoping to get a closer look, and possibly a lesson in Muay Thai, the sport of Thai kick boxing. a beautiful Thai girl introduces him to her brother, who is a professional fighter, and the two become fast friends. The man known as "the King boxer" within Thailand, and internationally, becomes teacher to the young Chinese visitor. Of course King Boxer is soon challenged by a rather nasty Japanese martial artist, who is determined to rob the king of his title. And then it becomes personal, when his sister rejects the Japanese thug's advances. Some great, well choreographed fighting follows, culminating into quite a bloody revenge epic.

This film is unique in that it is very well-made, with a decent budget. Also the Thai angle is something different for a martial arts film. There aren't nearly enough Muay Thai films out there to compete with the countless Kung Fu movies that were produced at this time. "The King Boxers" is a very hard film to track down, but it is worth the effort..

It starts with "Introducing Meng Fei" and that says a lot. This movie is a serious attempt to launch Meng Fei as the next kung fu hero. That makes me ask "Why him?" I have never found information about his life. From his credits, he did start with this movie. He also slipped into Shaw Brothers for a movie or two. He lowered himself to doing a ninja movie in the early 1990s. I have read he has been on Taiwan television since then but cannot confirm.

This movie has many alternate titles. If your copy stars Meng Fei and Kurata Yasuaki and it opens with a long travelogue of Thailand then we are on the same page. Most people seem to hate the travelogue but it amuses me. There are other moments of Thai culture that drag down the story.

Meng Fei watches Thai boxing and meets a guy who will teach him "knife fist". Kurata Yasuaki is presented as the martial artist who is always looking to challenge someone. He hears about :King Boxer" and comes looking. He is smitten by Meng Fei's sister.

It all comes down to the fighting. Meng Fei is introduced as the next big thing in kung fu. Does he measure up? Yes, he can fight, better than average. He can also act, average. I imagine a few hundred other Asian actors could also fight and act. Why him? Problem is if you want to launch the next big thing then "better than average" falls short. You also need a movie that is entertaining. Bottom line: they put a better than average martial artist in a less than entertaining movie. Result: Meng Fei? Who is that?

I rate this just average. I do recommend it for fans of the genre only simply because a fan would appreciate seeing this in context to the entire genre and the actors who played in it.