Rev Iron Fisted

The Iron Fisted Monk (1977)

Director: Sammo Hung

Cast:

Plot: Husker (Sammo Hung) is a novice monk at Shaolin Temple, but secretly he is learning kung fu to get revenge on the evil Manchu who murdered his father. When he goes back home he meets up with an old friend and hero of Shaolin, Shan Teh (Chan Sing). They set about trying to help in whatever way they can at first, but after the brutal murders of the workers at a dye factory the two mean decide they must go to the house of the Manchu Official (Fung Hak-On) and get revenge for the killings plus all the other crimes like rape and cruel beatings to the Han people that have gone on while he has been in charge of the district.

Review: By the time Sammo Hung got around to making this kung fu classic he already had the experience of working on more than forty films doing everything from playing an extra or being a stunt man. He had played supporting roles and had handled the action direction before he finally took control of bringing a whole project together. This film is largely based on Chinese historical legend, taking parts of the lives of two famous Chinese heroes who stood against the corrupt Manchu regime, and creating a simple tale of revenge. Not exactly the most original plot, but Sammo’s skill at choreographing fight scenes that flow and excite are evident in abundance in this remarkable production.

The film has a slightly uneasy mix of comedy and full on action, with sometimes violent and harrowing scenes that are a complete contrast to the lighter moments. There are two rapes scenes and then there is a comedy sex scene as contrast. There are kung fu sparing matches and some fights for comedy effect and then there are brutal murders. This really is an emotional experience that goes a little deeper than your usual old school movie, and it all holds together well due to performances of the entire cast and Sammo’s dedication to his art. Sammo looks surprisingly young here using some groundbreaking ideas both in the fight scenes and the way he frames certain shots. Attention to the look is obviously just as important as the action.

James Tien has a short, but memorable role in the first section of the film. As a fellow novice monk he and Sammo have several scenes together, but none as memorable as when James Tien and four monks go after Husker when he runs away from Shaolin. At first you think they are there to take him back, but they are actually there to make sure Husker is ready for the world outside of Shaolin.

Chan Sing gets to play one of his rare heroic roles while also adding quite a bit of humour. The scenes in the “house of ill repute” have some broad humour, but it is the subtlety of Chan Sing’s facial expressions, and his character’s obvious embarrassment at simply being there that bring out the real humour of the scenes. In this sequence we also get one of Sammo’s best fights where he subdues all of the Manchu Official’s henchmen and makes then crawl between his legs. A great insult that the Manchus had earlier made Sammo do to them.

A film of this genre can only be as good as the villain, and Fong Hak-On truly raises to the occasion. As the instigator of the rapes and murders, he is the perfect all round evil Manchu Official. As soon as you see him you know this man is bad news. His Northern Mantis Fist style of fighting that is used against Sammo during the incredible action finale is another fine example of making the choreography something special . Chen Sing also gets a chance to shine during the incredible action packed twenty minutes as he uses his various styles of Southern boxing techniques.

Some notable appearances along the way include Casanova Wong during the opening sequence, sparring with Sammo. Working at the dye factory there are a few blink and miss them appearances by some actors who would later play a much bigger part in Hong Kong cinema. Look out for Eric Tsang, Lam Ching Ying, Mang Hoi and Mars.

Some may find the mix of humour and violence a bit difficult to accept, but at the time this film was made it was a pretty brave thing to do. Later many Hong Kong films would adopt and embrace this mix of extremes without question. As a directorial debut I have to admit that this is pretty impressive and a film that deserves multiple viewings. Sammo would go on to direct better and more accomplished films, but for pure entertainment value and self assured film making, this is a genuine genre classic that is a refreshing change which also turned out to be innovating to the point of setting a trend. Not bad for a first effort.

All I can do now end with is a phrase that Chan Sing repeats several times throughout this film. “Buddha be praised.”

Rating: 4/5

Review by D. M.
Pics by Klara

For more pictures please click on thumbnails

For more photos visit The Iron Fisted Monk Photo Album

"I'd love if the audience remembered me.
Everything about my movies, my characters.
Don't forget me.
I'm happy that you guys don't forget me.
I love you."
(Sammo Hung)