Chen Kuan-tai

Chen Kuan-tai

Birth : 1945-09-24, Guangdong, China

History

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Chen Kuan-tai (Chinese: 陳觀泰, born 24 September 1945 in Guangdong, China) is a Chinese martial arts film star. He has primarily appeared in Shaw Brothers productions, and was one of the first solid trained, martial arts stars employed by the company. His first appearance in a Shaw work was in the 1969 film The Chinese Boxer, alongside Jimmy Wang Yu and Ben McDonald. Chen branched out as an actor with his tender roles in The Tea House and its sequel Big Brother Cheng, both directed by Chih-hung Kwei. These films gave Chen status as a "legitimate actor". After starring in the box office successes Challenge of the Masters and Executioners from Shaolin, both helmed by the legendary martial arts director Lau Kar-leung, Chen left the Shaw Brothers Studio. While away from Shaw, Chen directed and starred in the 1977 film Iron Monkey (not to be confused with the 1993 film by Yuen Woo-Ping). Chen later returned to the Shaw Brothers in the films Crippled Avengers (directed by Chang Cheh), Killer Constable (directed by Chih-hung Kwei), and 3 Evil Masters (co-starring Yuen Tak of the Seven Little Fortunes). To date Chen has starred in over 100 films, around 80 of which were with Shaw Brothers. His latest appearances were in Wilson Yip's 2006 martial arts-fantasy Dragon Tiger Gate, and in the 2007 remake of the King Hu classic, The Valiant Ones New. Description above from the Wikipedia article Chen Kuan-tai, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

Profile

Chen Kuan-tai

Movies

Legendary in Action!
Bill "Tiger" wants to relaunch his directorial career with a remake of a wuxia and casts Dragon Tin, the now-ageing star of the original. But nothing goes according to plan because Dragon Tin is no longer in his right mind and takes the role so seriously he actually beats up his co-stars! A heartfel tribute to the heroes and workers of the seventh art.
The Real Iron Monkey
In order to ensure that there is no loss, Huo Dongge’s book is intended to invite the Grand Theft Auto “Iron Horse” to help transport the roster. The iron horse is up to its age and has recommended its grandchildren’s new generation of iron face heroes to help the escort list from Guangdong to Shanghai. During the period, he met different people, and he took advantage of it. He fought in battle and the last big fight. Guo Tian found one of his opponents. He was very familiar with his skills. He found that he should be an "iron horse" in the fierce battle.
Key To The Luck
Uncle He
Iceman: The Time Traveler
Jiu Qiansui
The imperial guard and his three traitorous childhood friends ordered to hunt him down get accidentally buried and kept frozen in time. 400 years later pass and they are defrosted continuing the battle they left behind.
挟刀揉手
自己
The Hidden Sword
The widow of a famed general teams up with an impostor posing as her late husband and schemes to steal the secrets of an elderly master swordsman. Their plans are complicated by the master's grandson, who is himself torn between his filial duty and the affections of his adopted sister.
Cherry Returns
The story revolves around Ah Ying, a young girl who was kidnapped and declared missing for over a decade. She suddenly returns to her family after 12 years, and older sister Ning Jing soon discovers that something is wrong with Ah Ying. It turns out Ah Ying has been carrying out crimes on the orders of her abductor, and Ning Jing employs the help of friendly police officer to unravel her younger sister’s conspiracy.
Shed Skin Papa
Brother Tai
As a director faces a series of setbacks in life including debt and divorce, his elderly father suddenly regains his youth.
The Great Lion Kun Seng Keng
Based on real-life story, the movie focused on the growths and fights of Muar Town Kun Seng Keng towards the title of the most influential lion dances in the world. Awarded title as Lion Dance World Champion, up-to-date Kun Seng Keng lion dance troupe won 56 times international and 65 times national championship.
Once Upon a Time in Shanghai
Baldy Bai
A laborer moves to Shanghai in the hope of becoming rich. But ends up using his kung fu skills to survive. Remake of The Boxer From Shantung.
Game of Assassins
Assassin
Game of Assassins is about General Tu Jia who trains a trio of young assassins to seek revenge against villainous King of Wei. And one of the assassins succumbs to the dark side for temptation of wealth and power.
Conspirators
Chai
Chen Tan, a private detective in Thailand, travels to Malaysia following a series of clues found in a photo. There he searches for a man called Chai, who might help reveal the truths behind the murder of his parents 30 years ago. Chen finds Zheng, a Malaysian detective born in China. Together they meet Chai's daughter, Zi-Wei who could hold the key to cracking the case.
The Man with the Iron Fists
Gold Lion
In feudal China, a blacksmith who makes weapons for a small village is put in the position where he must defend himself and his fellow villagers.
White Vengeance
Qiu Ran
White Vengeance tells the story of two brothers contending for supremacy during the fall of the Qin Dynasty, which ruled Imperial China from 221 to 206 BC. As rebels rose, the nation fell into chaos. Liu Bang and Xiang Yu, became leaders of the rebellious army, and also became sworn brothers in battle.Xiang Yu and Liu Bang are close friends who both serve King Huai of Chu. King Huai uses a plot, saying that whoever can subvert the Qin kingdom in Guanzhong would be the Lord Qin, in order to benefit from the competition between Xiang Yu and Liu Bang. Xiang Yu is over-confident. He fights against the main force of Qin army, and entrusts Liu Bang with Yu Ji, the woman he loves.Liu Bang expresses his love to Yu Ji and takes the chance to invade Guanzhong first when most of Qin army is outside fighting against Xiang Yu’s army.
Gallants
Dragon
Master Law awakes from a 30-year coma without memories, but his martial arts skills are intact. His renowned kung fu academy is now a teahouse, and greedy developers are trying to steamroll it to make way for condos
14 Blades
Fa Huang
Commander Qinglong is the loyal leader of the assassin group that serves the emperor. But when his allies plan a rebellion against the ruler, he finds himself in danger.
The Bloody Blade 10
Qian Shouchang
The French Concession Inspector Zhong Lang accidentally rescued Qian Shouchang, a wealthy businessman who was attacked by a killer. Boss Qian was very grateful and invited Zhong Lang to settle in the Qian Mansion on the day of his birthday banquet to ensure safety.
Murderer
Tai
A Hong Kong-set mystery centered on a detective who has been framed for a series of gruesome murders.
The Valiant Ones New
Director King Hu earned much fame in pioneering in a new aesthetics for martial arts films in the 1960s Chinese cinema. He made The Valiant Ones in 1975 to unfold a story of a patriotic military general and a princess who courageously fight against the invaders during the Ming dynasty. Now the remake stars Nicky Wu, who has just returned to the silver screen with the blockbuster A Battle of Wits alongside Andy Lau, and Huang Yi from the TV versions of Everlasting Regret and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Roy Cheung from Johnnie To's Exiled also plays a crucial role in the film. With Yuen Wah from Kung Fu Hustle in the supporting cast and also serving as the action choreographer, this 2006 remake promises action sequences just as stunning as in King Hu's original. Unlike the many period epics released recently, the film puts greater emphasis on the historical aspect rather than the visual effects.
Dragon Tiger Gate
Three young martial arts masters emerge from the back streets of Hong Kong to help the powerless fight injustice.
边城风云
Fearful 24 Hours
Martial arts master Shih and his family spend their vacation at the edge of a small town. When ghosts from a deserted house nearby begin to threaten their lives, Shih sets out to uncover the haunted mansion's secret behind the ghastly apparitions.
Hero Youngster
Mr. Wei Bai-Hao
This rousing martial arts chronicle tells the timeless story of the young Chan Jun, a world-renowned character from Chinese cinema. With plenty of knock out fight sequences, this stirring kung-fu spectacle is a slam-bang actioner from start to finish.
The Era of Vampires
Zombie wrangler
In 17th century China, zombies and vampires roamed the lands, feeding on the unsuspecting. A group of martial artists / vampire hunters find themselves employed by a very rich - and very insane - old man who has kept everyone of his relatives preserved in wax and not buried. Apparently it is his family's tradition. So, having generations of potential zombies in your cellar may not be the smartest idea ever, but it takes two to tango. In this case, a thief wants the old-man's treasure and hires a zombie-wrangler to re-animate the waxed up relatives in order to sneak into the mansion and steal the treasure. It's up to the kung-fu fighting vampire hunters to save the day (or night).
Iron Fist Pillage
(archive footage)
The Wu-Tang Clan's Cappadonna redubs a 1970s martial arts thriller to hilarious effect, casting himself in the lead role as a pot-smoking rapper who wakes up in an Asian kung fu dreamscape. There, he's framed for the murder of a rival gang leader and is quickly banished. Liberally changing characters into drunks and prostitutes, Cappadonna crafts a unique comedy experience that also features the voices of Hideo Seaver and Shawn Wigs.
How to Meet the Lucky Stars
Liu Tin - king of gamblers
How to Meet the Lucky Stars is a 1996 Hong Kong film and the final film in the Lucky Stars film series. Featuring the "Lucky Stars" Sammo Hung (in a supporting role and another role as a cop), Eric Tsang, Stanley Fung, Richard Ng, Michael Miu and new cast member Vincent Lau as Hung's younger cousin. Also featuring a number of guest appearances including Françoise Yip, Natalis Chan, Chen Kuan Tai, Cheng Pei-pei, Chan Hung Lit and Nora Miao. Produced by Eric Tsang, directed by Frankie Chan with action choreography by Yuen Cheung-Yan and Mars.The film was released as a benefit film for the famous Hong Kong film director, Lo Wei, who died in 1996.
Angel of the road
Max Mok plays a truck driver who falls in love with an innocent school student (Loletta Lee). Everything seems to be perfect for Max Mok and his colleagues but conflicts with the local Hong Kong triad will soon appear.
Shadow Cop
Hsiong, a young narcotics officer, hooks up through comic accidents with a party girl named Witty. She shops, plays mahjongg, and charges him for every kiss, and they are in love. When he dies in the line of duty, his ghost stays around for a few weeks, hoping to get Witty's attention, trying futilely face to face and by phone, and then through a relative of hers who claims to have occult powers. Through this shadow cop's investigations, it comes to light how he died and where $10 million is that was the cause of his death. Before he disappears into the void, they leave each other final messages. Can their last wishes come true?
Ghost Killer
Drug courier Lousy Chao and his wife Ngor are killed by his boss, after being framed for drug substitution. His ghost finds a man with the same birthday, Ming, to help take revenge. The unfortunate Ming has just proposed to Hung, but Lousy hijacks his body, and starts by killing his immediate boss Shing Yiang To in a sauna. This alarms Shing's boss Nan. Meanwhile, the possessed Ming take nightclub host Jenny home for "late supper". Hung is sure something is amiss, and consults her taoist uncle Shun. Nan is further shaken when his partner Chuen is killed, but still keeps an appointment with Thai drug dealer Buddha. Up until this point, both Ming and Nan consider ghosts to be "bullshit", but they are soon convinced otherwise...
Gambling Soul
Cop [Cameo]
A man lost his life and tea house because he was set up by a underworld boss in gambling. Now his ghost comes back for revenge.
Bruce Lee and Kung Fu Mania
Himself (archive footage)
BRUCE LEE AND KUNG FU MANIA With action highlights from more than thirty of the greatest martial arts movies, this kung fu-fighting, karate-kicking compilation features the real Bruce Lee and his many clones plus Chuck Norris, Jim Kelly, and more. Here’s Bruce backing up The Green Hornet as Kato, battling Norris in Return of the Dragon, and making his last complete film, Enter the Dragon, plus the secrets of his mysterious death in Bruce Lee...His Last Days. You’ll also see Lo Lieh challenge Lee Van Cleef in The Stranger and the Gunfighter, Bruce Li carrying on the tradition with The Three Avengers, and Tae Kwon Do Grand Master Jhoon Ree in The Tattooed Dragon.
All Mighty Gambler
Tai
Yan Chi Yung (Chin Siu Ho) joins his fellow triad member Chu Chi Ang (Norman Tsui) in ripping off millions in gambling profits from their underworld boss Tai (Chen Kuan Tai), returning most of it after taking some for themselves. Meanwhile, a sexy gambler named Ice Chan (Ellen Chan), whose father was murdered by Tai several years before, arrives from America looking for revenge. She tries to infiltrate Tai's organization by seducing Yan, but really falls for him and fails in her attempt to assassinate Tai behind his back. More trickery and double-crosses follow as Tai tries to get Yan and Chu to help him rip off another gambler, only to have his plans thwarted by a turncoat within his own gang.
Today's Hero
Triad Boss
Siu, who spends goofing off, finds out that he has Parkinson's Disease, and only one month to live. He decides to do something special before his death. He tries to help other, and accept challenges.
The Tigers
Hon-Wai
Cops find their careers and their lives in jeopardy when they spend a gangster's bribe money after releasing him from custody during a drug bust.
Blood Stained Tradewind
Arms buyer [cameo]
"Shing (Alex Fong) and Hsiong (Waise Lee) are competitive young men raised by the head of a powerful Triad group. Shing appears to have the winning edge; his gunfighting skills are unsurpassed earning him the nickname Golden Gun and the pretty daughter of the Triad boss appears to favor him more than eager brother Hsiong. But when Shing turns down his godfather’s appointment to head the triad group his luck runs out and he’s kicked out of the group and shunned by the family. Hsiong becomes the new boss and the pretty daughter marries him instead. Shing moves to Macau and becomes a common laborer and rooms with Carrie Ng and her small son. But Carrie’s kid brother is a bad egg who brings the world of crime back into Shing’s life. Then all hell breaks loose and everyone’s life is in jeopardy when traitors and double crossers rise up and take over.
Blood Stained Tradewind
Producer
"Shing (Alex Fong) and Hsiong (Waise Lee) are competitive young men raised by the head of a powerful Triad group. Shing appears to have the winning edge; his gunfighting skills are unsurpassed earning him the nickname Golden Gun and the pretty daughter of the Triad boss appears to favor him more than eager brother Hsiong. But when Shing turns down his godfather’s appointment to head the triad group his luck runs out and he’s kicked out of the group and shunned by the family. Hsiong becomes the new boss and the pretty daughter marries him instead. Shing moves to Macau and becomes a common laborer and rooms with Carrie Ng and her small son. But Carrie’s kid brother is a bad egg who brings the world of crime back into Shing’s life. Then all hell breaks loose and everyone’s life is in jeopardy when traitors and double crossers rise up and take over.
Forsaken Cop
Producer
Heroic Bloodshed movie from 1990.
Sleazy Dizzy
Chen Yuan Long
A common thief and an employee of a Hong Kong stock company try to help an amnesia-plagued undercover cop to regain his memory and locate the whereabouts of the 50 million dollars cash used in a drug deal. In the meantime, they try to avoid becoming victims of the crime-lord that was responsible for embezzling 50 million dollars out of the stock company.
Return to Action
HK action movie directed by Chen Kuan Tai, starring himself with Alex Man, who both want to seek revenge!
Return to Action
Producer
HK action movie directed by Chen Kuan Tai, starring himself with Alex Man, who both want to seek revenge!
Return to Action
Director
HK action movie directed by Chen Kuan Tai, starring himself with Alex Man, who both want to seek revenge!
The Fortune Code
Triad boss gambler
Set in China during the Japanese occupation. A young man breaks out of a POW camp to marry his sweetheart, but finds she is now a spy for the resistance, code-named "Number 3". With the help of "Number 2" he returns to the camp to find "Fortune", an agent who possesses the pass-code to a Swiss bank account with $500 billion intended for the Chinese army.
The Sniping
The Sniping is a Hong Kong Crime movie starring Eric Tsang and Alex Man
Just Heroes
Tai
The assassination of a gang lord triggers a power struggle amongst his men. Who will win the game the righteous or the villain?
Angel's Mission
Ma Sheng-fung
An undercover Japanese cop tries to find some girls who have mysteriously disappeared in Hong Kong.
草莽威龙
Human Sentiment Law
Boss
Hsiung is an honest inspector who finds his career jeopardised by his mother, prostitute Fung's presence in the district he polices. The ambitious Hsiung finds himself torn between duty and love.
Sheng Goes to Taiwan
Fortune Hunters
Action gambling
Tai-Pan
Pirate
The film begins following the British victory of the first Opium War and the seizure of Hong Kong. Although the island is largely uninhabited and the terrain unfriendly, it has a large port that both the British government and various trading companies believe will be useful for the import of merchandise to be traded on mainland China, a highly lucrative market.
The Dancing Warrior
Rich man
This flick is about this gung fu dancing, alcoholic beverage guzzler named Andy Ho (Cheng Tien Chi). The title of this flick sounds like this bad warrior who kills with ease, but its not. Actually, Andy is a nice guy who has a hard time keeping a job. He runs into some rich guy who convinces him to come to the United States to work for him. Andy agrees to come to the U.S. of A. but is in for a surprise, as Mr. Big Bucks wants Andy to participate in his slugfest tournaments that he uses to make money via gambling. Andy declines and the next you know, Mr. Big Bucks is devising a plan to get rid of him! (mpongpun, HKMDB)
How to Choose a Royal Bride
Tian Di Hui chief
shaw production
Lei ting chu chuan
An action film by Godfrey Ho.
Long Road to Gallantry
Ling Han Feng
Newly crowned queen of kung-fu films Hui Ying-hung, stars in Long Road To Gallantry, a rivetting swordswoman spectacle. Shaw Brothers' actress Lily Li teams up with one time kung-fu wonder boy Chen Kuan-tai in a quest to find a missing martial arts manual. It's new wave heroic bloodshed with new wave talent such as the upcoming Rosamund Kwan who went on to star in six Jet Li films.
I Will Finally Knock You Down, Dad!
Dad - Master Chen
There is an underlying story about a lazy son who knows some kung fu but mostly fakes it to show off. After being exposed he does good by improving his skills to the point where he can finally knock down his kung fu master father.
Return of Bastard Swordsman
Mochitsuki Soryu Han
Just when audiences thought the director couldn't get more spectacular and outrageous, he unleashed this eye-filling, mind-bending "Martial Arts World" sequel of clan rivalries, ninja atrocities, wizard sorceries, and the mythical Silkworm style that changes our hero into a veritable Spider-swordsman. The screen practically explodes with colorful characters and kung-fu -- all directed, co-written, and co-choreographed by Lu Chun-ku, and showcasing some of the best Shaw Brothers action stars. The original Bastard Swordsman was just the beginning, this superlative cult classic that out-phantasmagoricals the original.
Shanghai 13
Shin / Brother Tai
A patriot finds evidence that the government is collaborating with a foreign power. If the people knew about the deception, they would revolt and overthrow the corrupt government. One patriot in office steals the proof and must make it out of the country. He gets assistance from a local rebel leader who is in charge of a motley group of fighters called the Shanghai 13. Not all of them can be trusted, as some of them will turn in the government official. Our weak protagonist must run a gauntlet of the who's who already mentioned.
Butcher
cat III film from Taiwan
Thunderclap
A clever Shaw Brothers wuxia comedy about a young antihero (Tony Leung Siu Hung) getting himself and his friend (Max Mok) into all kinds of trouble and ultimate defeating the "Heavenly Demon" (Chen Kuan Tai). Lightning fast action, pleasant humor, great acting and a helpful modern-day narrator makes this an unusually enjoyable Shaw Brothers production.
Death Ring
The Godfather of the classic Shaw Brothers kung fu films, Chang Chen directs a group of Shaw superstars which includes Ti Lung and Chen Kwan Tai in this kung fu thriller. When a father is framed for murder, his son travels to exotic Thailand to find him and ends up fighting in a 'Death Ring' championship. (Tai Seng)
Opium and the Kung Fu Master
Yung Feng
A small town is protected by one of the famous Ten Tigers of Kwangtung. The town is very safe as Ti Lung and his Kung Fu students patrol for criminals. Enter the rival Kung Fu school whom Ti Lung's students have beaten in a lion dance competition and then humiliated in a brawl. The rival school is joined by an opium dealing Kung Fu master who plans to turn the town into a community of addicts!
The Lost Generation
Paul
The plot follows a group of women who struggle in Hong Kong, most of them illegal immigrants from mainland China.
The Black Magic with Buddha
Ben Chin
The story is about two explorers who invade a temple in the dark of a jungle. They find a mummy, remove its brain, and return to the mainland. The blood and fluid from the brain are used in black magic rituals that result in a series of bloody murders throughout the city… committed by the brain!
Little Dragon Maiden
Guo Jing
Seeking to improve his combat skills, a young man falls in love with a woman with mystical powers but his past stands in the way of their union.
Deadly Life of a Ninja
Han Wei Chow
A businessman and his sister-in-law are targeted for assassination by a band of evil ninjas and their vicious leader (Yasuaki Kurata). The ninjas are committing bizarre murders all over the city, and the police can't seem to pick up their trail -- so they call in ninja hunter and Kendo master Mr. Chow (Kuan Tai Chen). To take down the silent killers, Mr. Chow will have to fight against incredible odds in this campy ninja classic.
The Challenge of the Lady Ninja
Lee Tong
During the Japanese occupation of Shanghai, a Chinese woman trains in the covert arts. When she arrives in Hong Kong, she learns that her brother works on behalf the Japanese cause. She then pulls together a team of women warriors to stop her brother
Mission Thunderbolt
(archive footage)
Explosive early Hong Kong actioner about a mysterious criminal known as the White Tycoon, who hires three top assassins to help him eliminate his rivals in two local mobs, the Scorpions and the Serpents.
Little Flying Dragon
Chi Kuan Chun is the man. He looks in top form as swordsman. Unfortunately, the rest of the movie is pretty wacky. Kung Fu gorillas, witches, and Chen Kuan Tai singing Italian opera. So little kid with swirling axe fights evil wizard dude, lasereyes, the above mentioned gorilla do you need to know more?
Blood Brothers
A Taiwanese production that was directed by Lee Tso-Nam and starring Chen Kuan-tai and Don Wong Tao.
Seven Knights
Human Lanterns
Tan Fu
A psychotic craftsman pits two rival Kung-Fu masters against each other while designing special lanterns from a disturbing source.
Don't Love Any Stranger
Taiwanese action film.
Gang Master
General Mang Yi Tu
It has to do with a young clan member, Zhong Yuan, who is promoted to chief of the Dragon Gang after his adoptive father dies, only to be expelled when a letter arrives revealing him to be of Mongol birth, an awkward bit of news at a time when the Dragon Gang is actively fighting Mongol occupiers. In fact, Zhong soon learns that the Mongol general leading the anti-rebel campaign is actually his real father. Still, he persists in trying to get back into the good graces of the clan, eventually helping to ferret out a traitor in their midst.
Rolls, Rolls, I Love You
Cui Tung Sing
A teenager and a tycoon gets into an early morning road altercation that eventually lead to a bet: if the teenager can steal his beloved Rolls Royce car from him, the youngster will get to keep it. However, if the teenager fails to do that in the alloted time given, he will need to pay the tycoon HK$40,000.
Red Rattlesnake
A crime / revenge movie loaded with gory torture sequences, including acid in the shower, a pick-axe killing and a lovely scene where a man is tied to a cross and killed with the titular critters. Scenes from this later ended up in the IFD / Godfrey Ho mishmash Majestic Thunderbolt (1985).
Winner Takes All
Mr Miyamoto
Patrick Tse is the thief of thieves whose family is long retired from the robin hood lifestyle for 10 years. Recent robberies have occured who use the families calling card and the police forcefully want this mystery solved. They suspect smeone from there past but feel this cant not be him, then who is it?
New Pilgrims to the West
Chan Jun-Leung's 1982 film based on The Journey to the West.
Ambitious Kung Fu Girl
Qin Ge
Spoiled Yuen Si Si, the naive daughter of an affluent merchant, lives her cosseted life dreaming of meeting her idol, the heroic Qin Ge. When her father decides to marry her off, she runs away in search of Qin Ge, with her fiancee in pursuit. What she doesn't realise though is that her kung-fu skills are not what she thinks they are and that the outside world is far less chivalrous that she expected.
Wei xian ren wu
Director
Elder brother, Big Cat is a flirt and younger brother, Small Cat is mean and cold. They were sent to prison for commiting crimes. Uncle Tse, a dominant criminal, accepted Small Cat in admiration of his tuff character. Inspector Tai, who caught them in jail is a responsible, efficient an dhard crime destructor. Soon as the brothers were out from jail, they ran into Tai in doing a case. Small Cat who was very anxious to take revenge on Tai...
Wei xian ren wu
Inspector Tai
Elder brother, Big Cat is a flirt and younger brother, Small Cat is mean and cold. They were sent to prison for commiting crimes. Uncle Tse, a dominant criminal, accepted Small Cat in admiration of his tuff character. Inspector Tai, who caught them in jail is a responsible, efficient an dhard crime destructor. Soon as the brothers were out from jail, they ran into Tai in doing a case. Small Cat who was very anxious to take revenge on Tai...
The Battle for the Republic of China
Patriotic extravanganza concerning early 20th century political events in Taiwan (i.e. the Republic of China), told in an ensemble format
Notorious Eight
Zhou Shiqiang
A group of secret agent gambling heroes put the squeeze on some gangsters who are cheating the public now after having been involved with Japanese war criminals.
Deadly Duo
Seeking revenge for the murder of his family, a man returns to Hong Kong to track down the killers. He becomes enthralled in further intrigue when his new boss is targeted by the same group.
Challenge of the Gamesters
Zhang Lie
A forerunner to the new wave gambling films, this is one of Wong Jing's first hits--before he would go on to dominate Hong Kong cinema for the next two decades. Although rife with Japanese spies, Shanghai tycoons, beautiful starlets, and enough intrigue to keep 007 happy, Bond himself would be no match for the heroes' skill at mahjong and other games Hong Kong gamblers play--proving that the cube is often mightier than the baccarat card.
Rendezvous with Death
Golden Rod Gu Feitian
Sun Chung had been recognized as an expert comedy and crime thriller director, but he was to gain even greater acclaim for his soulful, powerful, intelligent, and beautifully-made martial arts epics. This stands alongside The Deadly Breaking Sword and The Kung-fu Instructor as one of his very best. It’s not so much the plot – a master swordsman protects a treasure chest on a dangerous journey – that makes this great, but what Sun does with it, inspiring the cast and crew to some of their finest work.
The Master
Chin Tien Yun
Although injured, a martial-arts expert teaches an orphan his methods.
Citizen Shaw
Self
A French TV documentary from 1980 directed by Maurice Frydland, in which Sir Run Run Shaw gives an all-access tour of the Shaw Brothers backlot (including behind-the-scenes footage from Return to the 36th Chamber.
Killer Constable
Leng Tian-Ying
2 million taels in gold has been stolen from a vault within the Forbidden City. The Empress wants the money returned within 10 days. Chief Constable Leng Tian-Ying is hired to bring back the gold robbers, dead or alive- and Leng's earned a reputation of never bringing anyone back alive.
Big Boss of Shanghai
Director
Chen and his brother travel to Shanghai in search of fame and fortune, but end up pitted against Chinese Mafia bosses - and can only fight their way out of the web of violence and betrayal they find themselves caught up in.
Big Boss of Shanghai
Chen and his brother travel to Shanghai in search of fame and fortune, but end up pitted against Chinese Mafia bosses - and can only fight their way out of the web of violence and betrayal they find themselves caught up in.
Invincible Enforcer
Min
A young man who is thrown into jail simply because he displeases a police inspector. But even when he's eventually released, the police continue to persecute him until he feels he has no choice but to become a real criminal.
Iron Fists
Cpt. Chen Tien Ching
Chen Kuan-Tai and Mang Fei team up to bring justice to a ruthless gang of martial arts experts.
Crippled Avengers
Black Tiger Dao Tian-Du
A group of martial artists seek revenge after being crippled by Tu Tin-To, a martial arts master, and his son.
Tough Guy
Lenghsieh
A kung-fu fighting detective investigating the murder of the emperor's wife uncovers a high-ranking conspiracy.
Jiu wen long
Tattooed Dragon Shih Chen
He's just a hotheaded, rude and violent young man who loves punching people. His family are killed in a revenge attack and he seeks revenge.
Invincible Monkey Fist
The master of the secret Monkey Fist Kung Fu style must fight a gang of warrior thugs who are terrorizing his village. Shaw legend Chen Kuan Tai (Iron Monkey, Boxer from Shantung) made this film at the height of his fame. As a true exponent of the Monkey Fist style, Chen added authenticity to his movie roles and the characters he portrayed by using elements of his strong foundation in kung fu. Also making his screen debut is Billy Chong (Kung Fu Zombie, Super Power, Crystal Fist). Shot against the backdrop of exotic Indonesia, Invincible Monkey Fist brings you top rate stars and action.
Invincible Monkey Fist
Director
The master of the secret Monkey Fist Kung Fu style must fight a gang of warrior thugs who are terrorizing his village. Shaw legend Chen Kuan Tai (Iron Monkey, Boxer from Shantung) made this film at the height of his fame. As a true exponent of the Monkey Fist style, Chen added authenticity to his movie roles and the characters he portrayed by using elements of his strong foundation in kung fu. Also making his screen debut is Billy Chong (Kung Fu Zombie, Super Power, Crystal Fist). Shot against the backdrop of exotic Indonesia, Invincible Monkey Fist brings you top rate stars and action.
The Iron Monkey
Iron Monkey
Iron is the son of a rebel leader, but prefers to spend his days gambling and getting into fights. When his father's group is arrested and executed, Iron is forced to flee and hide in the woods as a beggar and thief. After being taken in by a Shaolin monastery and trained in the art of Monkey-Style Kung Fu, Iron vows to hunt down his father's killer and avenge his death. Written by Jean-Marc Rocher
The Iron Monkey
Director
Iron is the son of a rebel leader, but prefers to spend his days gambling and getting into fights. When his father's group is arrested and executed, Iron is forced to flee and hide in the woods as a beggar and thief. After being taken in by a Shaolin monastery and trained in the art of Monkey-Style Kung Fu, Iron vows to hunt down his father's killer and avenge his death. Written by Jean-Marc Rocher
Executioners from Shaolin
Hung Hsi Kuan
A couple unite - she is fluent in the crane style of kung fu, he in tiger style. They have a son, but the boy's father is killed by the evil eunuch Pai Mei. Disguised as a girl, his mom trains him in crane style while he secretly learns tiger style from his father's training manual.
Layout
The place: Shanghai. The time: 1921. The Japanese aggression towards China is getting stronger each day. Enter Hsueh Ao-Lin, an agent of the government sent to uncover the Chinese traitors helping the enemy. Once inside, Hsueh must fight both the Japanese and his countrymen for his sake, and the future of China.
King Gambler
Peng Tian Shi, Card Tyrant
Chan is Peng Tianshi, who becomes the "Card Tyrant" in response to the gambling world dominance of the Sha family. But Peng also has a Sha family member blinded in retaliation for an earlier loss, leaving the Sha family with a debt of vengeance that needs to be repaid! Sha Tong (Zong Hua) sets in motion an elaborate plan to make turn the rich and affluent Peng into a penniless former king of the gambling world! But can the "Card Tyrant" be bested?
Big Bad Sis
Shing
Ah Ying (Chen Ping) is a former gangster trying to lead an honest life, and occasionally using her fighting skills to help out the girls in the factory where she now works. She befriends young colleagues Chong Lee and Shao Yin-Yin, teaching them self defence because "girls can't be weak anymore". Trouble starts when her old gang finds out where she now works.
Challenge of the Masters
Lu Ah Tsai
The Wong family kung fu school gets smacked around by a rival school. Wong Fei-hong gets fed up with the abuse and goes to learn from his fathers master. After one of the rival schools members kills some of the towns people Wong Fei-hong becomes enraged trains even more comes back and gets his revenge.
7-Man Army
Chiang Ming-kun
In 1933, 20,000 Japanese soldiers and 50 tanks invaded the Pa Tou Lou Tzu, a strategic key point of the Great Wall. With only seven men stationing, these heroes took on the entire army for five days before succumbing. Director Chang Cheh recreated this epic battle with his favorite cast including Ti Lung, David Chiang, Alexander Fu Sheng and Chen Kuan-tai, as a celluloid tribute to these nameless souls.
The Spiritual Boxer
Yi Wo's spiritual boxer [intro]
Wang Yu plays Hsiao Chien, a con artist vagabond who uses his kung fu skills and parlor tricks to convince superstitious villagers that he can use his body as a vessel for angry gods. However, when the villagers are threatened by a hostile force, Chien must learn to use his skills to protect the innocent.
The Bloody Escape
Bandit Gu Hui
Gu Hui, a member of the ‘Wolf Head Gang’ becomes unhappy after their new chief decides to abandon their old code of conduct. After the chief kills a travelling family and kidnaps the daughter, Gu frees her and escapes, hiding out in a nearby town and trying to start a new life as a humble shoemaker. Unfortunately, the gang refuses to let him go and put a bounty on his head, forcing him to face up to his responsibilities.
Lover's Destiny
Guan Shao-Feng
Director Chu Yuan was one of the new breed of directors at Shaw who raised the bar of martial arts films, by adding compelling storylines and a good dose of drama. Despite being without his regular cohorts Ku Lung and Ti Lung here, Chu shows his master stroke as he delves into the dastardly ways of evil warlords in China back in the 1910’s. Drama and action both take centre-stage as Tsung Hua and Ching Li fall prey to a lecherous general (Stanley Feng Tsui-fan) who rapes and forces the latter to become his concubine. With the help of two street performers (the deft and agile Chen Kuan-tai and Shih Szu) he once helped, Tsung hatches a plot to save his beloved – with deadly consequences.
The Big Holdup
Ma Rulong
A group of down-on-their-luck robbers pull off a spectacular job - only to find themselves hunted by cops and possible betrayers! Chan Koon Tai leads the diverse pack of criminals, which also includes such Shaw Brothers luminaries as Ngok Wah, Chung Wong, Ling Yun, and a young Danny Lee in one of his first featured roles. The group pulls off the robbery in action-packed fashion, but betrayal and the relentless police end up marking the five robbers for death.
The Imposter
Lo Chin-Ying
With the cast list, you would almost expect this to be another Chang Cheh film. Two of Chang's proteges, David Chiang and Chen Kuan-tai go head-to-head in The Imposter which sees cinematographer Pao Hsueh-li back in the director's chair. Chiang plays Ko Liang, as master of disguise who puts his seven faces to good use when he goes to the aid of two young guardsmen Tseng Yung (Danny Lee) and Tseng Kan (Wang Chung) who have been framed by Captain Lo (Chen Kuan-tai) for murder.
Big Brother Cheng
Wang Cheng
Shaw Brothers' number one action hit of 1975, and deservedly so. The character of one-man kung-fu dynamo Big Brother Cheng and kung-fu superstar Chen Kuan-tai were made for each other. A Robin Hood-like restaurant manager who socks it to the thugs in order to make the mean streets of Hong Kong a little less mean, Big Brother Cheng made his first appearance in the extremely popular The Tea House, the success of which spawned this even more successful sequel.
All Men Are Brothers
Tattooed Dragon / Shih Chen
Based on one of China's enduring epic novels, written in the 14th century, "All Men Are Brothers" continues the patriotic story of righteous warriors battling despotic leaders, featuring mythic characters familiar to every Chinese, and with a cast that has achieved an equally celebrated status among Shaw Brothers devotees.
The Flying Guillotine
Ma Teng
The Emperor's armies have developed a new weapon: a thrown blade that can remove someone's head from long distance. As the paranoid Emperor begins decapitating anyone he fears might be a threat, his guard Mau Tang becomes disillusioned with the excesses of his master. He leaves his post and takes up the quiet life of farming and raising a family. Eventually, though, his past catches up with him, and he must find a way to fight the flying guillotine if he is to save his head.
Five Tough Guys
Master Wu Wen-Yuan
The plot follows the titular gang of misfits, gathered together by Chen Kuan Tai (a real life martial arts champion who starred in many films for the studio) in order to protect a patriotic general from a scheming usurper. To this end, the unlikely heroes act as the general’s escorts on a dangerous journey to a distant British consulate, beset by enemies and sinister Japanese interference along the way.
The Tea House
Boss Wang Cheng
Chen Kuan-Tai is Big Brother Cheng, a former refugee who runs a local teahouse in Hong Kong. Respected by his peers, Big Brother Cheng runs the teahouse - and unofficially the neighborhood - with a firm righteous hand. However, when the triads come calling, Big Brother Cheng finds out respect and common decency may not be enough. The triads use underage kids to terrorize the teahouse, and since the law won't do anything, Big Brother Cheng may have to step in and take care of it himself!
Hong Kong 73
Ambulance driver
As the Heng Seng Index reaches unprecedented heights, people from all walks of life go stock speculation crazy. A security guard and his landlord learn firsthand that money is ‘Easy Come, Easy Go’ as their fast fortune disappears overnight in a Macau casino. Meanwhile, greedy neighbours and infidel couples cheat each other and even blue-collar workmen dive into the frenzy. Inevitably, the market tumbles as do the people’s bittersweet lives. A hilarious but ironic tale featuring some of Shaw’s biggest stars.
Men from the Monastery
Hung Hsi-kuan
The majestic Ming dynasty is invaded by the Manchu troops, its upto the Shaolin monastery to fight them and save the fate of the nation.
The Savage Five
Ma Tao
A pacifist village is beset by bandits in this martial arts thriller. "Savage Five" hands-down rivals the ornateness of "Kid With The Golden Arm" and the twist-heavy "Five Deadly Venoms". The always great David Chiang plays a lesser version of his Rover character from "Duel Of The Iron Fist", and Ti Lung, looking incredible here, is at his physical best. Accolades to Chen Kuan Tai and Wang Chung in great sympathetic roles, too. A kung fu classic where the actual martial arts display takes a back seat to the mesmerizing story.
Three Styles of Hung School’s Kung Fu
A short film that originally played before showings of "Heroes Two" - in which Fu Sheng, Chen Kuan Tai and Chi Kuan-Chun demonstrate different techniques of Hung boxing
Heroes Two
Hung Hsi-kuan
A band of fighting Ming Dynasty loyalists branded as enemies of the state are driven underground following the burning of the Shaolin Temple by Qing Dynasty officials. Due to a misunderstanding, Shaolin kung fu prodigy Fong Sai-yuk is duped into helping Qing agents to capture leading Shaolin rebel Hung Hei-gun. Upon discovering his mistake, Sai-yuk teams up with the remaining rebels to free Hei-gun before his planned execution. Plotting to stop them is General Che Kang, a formidable Tibetan kung fu master who commands an army of fighters including four deadly Tibetan llamas.
Iron Bodyguard
Big Blade Wang Wu
An Iron Bodyguard called Wang Wu meets a scholar and forms a strong friendship with him after they fight some villains together. The scholar is a member of the reformists - a group of scholars pressing for social reform in China towards the end of the Qing dynasty. The Emperor is actually all for reforms, and appoints this group to run the country. This doesn't suit the Empress Dowager though, as she has no intention of losing her power. She orders the reformists to be arrested, and Chen Kuan Tai hence gets drawn into politics despite having no real political views himself.
Blood Brothers
Huang Chung
Set in the waning years of the Ching Dyansty, this dramatic, tragic, romantic, blood-soaked martial arts tale of betrayal and revenge explores one of the most sensational scandals in Chinese history and marked the true ascension of its director and actors to superstar status. In fact, Ti Lung won Taiwan's Golden Horse Award for Outstanding Performance as the challenging role of a jealous provincial governor who kills his friend in order to steal the man's wife.
Heiße Ware aus Hong Kong
(archive footage)
Four Riders
Li Wei-shi
Four Korean War veterans pool their talents to take on a venal drug smuggling gang.
Man of Iron
Zeng Gen Bao
Man of Iron was positioned as something of a follow-up to Boxer From Shantung, the rise-and-fall story of Ma Yung Chen and it reunites the directors and some of the cast in a similar but much slighter tale of a lesser gangster's rise and fall in Shanghai. While the opening narration specifically recalls the events and tragic conclusion of BOXER, this one is set 20 years later in the same section of Shanghai but otherwise has nothing to do with the events or characters of the previous film.
The Hurricane
An action film directed by Wei Lo.
Young People
Ho Tai
The longstanding rivalry between a music club and a sports club is compounded by their leaders' mutual interest in a girl.
The Bloody Fists
Okagawa Takeo
Yuen Woo Ping, who would in time become one of the world's leading martial arts choreographers, blocked the fight scenes for this Kung Fu action extravaganza. A small Chinese town is being torn apart by a conflict between local farmers and Japanese soldiers of fortune, who have been brought to town to liberate supplies of a rare Chinese herb. A martial arts expert gifted in both Chinese and Japanese fighting disciplines passes through town, and takes it upon himself to settle the feud.
The Water Margin
Tattooed Dragon, Shi Jin
The corruption in the Sung Dynasty of 11th century China is so rampant that it inspires a band of Oriental Robin Hoods - the Honorable 108. Mountain bandits who nevertheless live by a scrupulous code of conduct, the Honorable 108 pledge to end the repression of the brutal overlords.
The Boxer from Shantung
Ma Yung Chen
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.
Bus Stop
A gangster thriller.
Maria
Romantic tragedy based on John Lo Mar's story "Love Under the Cross".
The Duel
Liu's man
Tan Jen-chieh's life spins out of control when he’s forced into exile to clear his name following the murder of his adopted father. He's hunted in the streets. His lover, Butterfly, turns to prostitution. And his father's likely killer – a smooth operator known as the Rambler – is always lingering nearby. But before Tan and the Rambler can slit each other's throats, they learn they've been double-crossed and go two against everyone in a rage of double-edged vengeance.
Betrayer
Hung Tien Piao
A swordsman is looking for his parents' enemy and finally meets the old swordsman who he thinks is the enemy of his parents.
Cold Blade
Martial Arts Choreographer
Chor Yuen was Gu Long before he started filming Gu Long. The director's first wuxia film, made at Shaws' rival Cathay, finds him relishing in a mode of expression that would later become the signature style of the 'martial-arts suspense thriller' mini-genre. Chor grafts the quasi-psychological stylishness of his Cantonese melodrama onto this actioner, laying on thick the atmosphere by dialling up the fog machine and unleashing the colours from his camera's palette. He also stages his fights in modern dance-like choreography, with moves that are more graceful than ferocious and paused poses that are longer on expressive narcissism than continuity of action. Cold Blade is the quiet beginning of an aesthetic.
Cold Blade
Chor Yuen was Gu Long before he started filming Gu Long. The director's first wuxia film, made at Shaws' rival Cathay, finds him relishing in a mode of expression that would later become the signature style of the 'martial-arts suspense thriller' mini-genre. Chor grafts the quasi-psychological stylishness of his Cantonese melodrama onto this actioner, laying on thick the atmosphere by dialling up the fog machine and unleashing the colours from his camera's palette. He also stages his fights in modern dance-like choreography, with moves that are more graceful than ferocious and paused poses that are longer on expressive narcissism than continuity of action. Cold Blade is the quiet beginning of an aesthetic.
Wong Fei-Hung: Bravely Crushing the Fire Formation
Wong Fei-Hung: Bravely Crushing the Fire Formation is the last film of the long running Huang Fei-hong series starring Tak-Hing Kwan
Vengeance!
two different bodyguards
A violent martial artist is bent on avenging his older brother, who was killed by a cabal of four wicked businessmen and a cheating wife.
The King Fa Fairy
A Chinese fantasy drama
Redress
Robber with Colored Face
Rare martial arts film.