User reviews

ej's kung-fu capsule review for films of the chop-socky old-school -

1. basic plot type - Clan vs. clan; special styles clash; young man comes of age learning kung fu from older master.

2. plot construction - Pretty strong, and easy to follow. Director Yuen adds some very nice touches, such as when Chan introduces the old master to his only friend - a cat.

3. dramatic - Occasionally, in its emphasis on the relation between the old master and his young student.

4. funny - Occasionally - this is still early for Chan, but he is already playing his role with a bit of light irony.

5. dialog - competent but no shocks here.

6. cast performance - Strong all around.

7. crew performance - Seem to be aware that they are on the verge of a technical breakthrough in 'fu film-making, but this isn't quite it. ("It" is the later "Drunken Master", of course.)

8. amount of fighting - Lots.

9. quality of fighting - Over-all, really darn good.

10. special any cast or crew notes - After years of effort, the success of this film at last made Chan a star in Hong Kong's film market, and brought to a head the tensions between Chan and the producer to whom he was contracted, Lo Wei. Although Lo would always insist that he 'discovered' Chan, all he really wanted was a capable and charismatic young fighter he could mold into another Bruce Lee. Lo hated this film, and all other early Chan attempts to change the traditional chop-socky formula. But this film shows that Chan was very much his own man with his own vision; while the plot is pretty standard for this genre, Chan's performance is refreshingly new.

Fortunately, Chan's ties with Lo would soon be severed, allowing the development of the Chan we've all come to admire.

Chan is also aided here by the early effort of Choreographer/ director Yuen Woo Ping. Yuen's direction waffles a bit in spots, but this is clearly because he has a sense that there can be more to a martial arts film than we see in many chop-socky films of the era; he's still learning to articulate that.

Besides countless imitations, the film spawned two direct sequels; one (SiES II) was produced by the same production company and starred Wong Tao; it is interesting in a quirky, eccentric way thanks to the supporting actors; but Wong Tao is no Jackie Chan. The other sequel, known as "The Jade Claw" appears to have been put together by the Yuen Clan to continue the developing reputation of Simon Yuen. Unfortunately, the elder Yuen died before the film was finished, and the continuity is terrible. Still, Billie Chong, star of that film, does a lot better as a Jackie Chan imitator than Wong Tao ever could.

Chan himself refused to revisit this story for a sequel, and I think the decision wise - this film is genius in the making, all around; but the genius isn't made yet - that would appear later, and with much greater impact, in Drunken Master.

11. big positive - Simon Yuen's most credible performance as the old master.

12. big negative - The cat's-claw style Chan develops in this film is not all that impressive; that creates a weakness in the finale. There are also allusions in the dialog to plot threads that never show up.

Bottom-line - who should see this movie - Chan fans; Martial Arts fans; chop-socky fans; Yuen clan fans. Its a solid action film, but may be too much a part of its genre for more general audiences.

Lots of fighting, done in a comical way. Just about every character in this movie are not too bright, which is perfect for a comedy of errors.

I have always preferred this comical way of handling martial arts better than the too serious Bruce Lee style.

I believe this was Jackie Chan's first widely successful movie freed from the constraints of Lo Wei and working with a different director allowed Jackie to move into a different direction and stop trying to be the new Bruce Lee (as if anyone ever could be!).

Surprisingly the humour translates pretty well and both Jackies cruel martial arts school employer and the kindly martial artist he meets and befriends are well drawn comedic characters. The sometimes bizarre fighting styles all named after animals are a joy to behold and Jackie and all the other martial artists involved show just how skillful they are with some truly memorable twists on the old school kung-fu style fighting. Many of those in this film came together again a year later to make the equally excellent Drunken Master.

I would recommend this film to any martial arts fan as a must see, it's also an excellent entry point if your interested in looking into martial arts action films in general. 8/10

If you've got a couple hours to spare, and you like light hearted hong kong kung fu, then watch this film. The music and sound effects are really hilarious, and the action never lets up. The final fight scene is somewhat memorable as well.

One of the greatest of all Jackie's early period kung fu comedies, SNAKE IN THE EAGLE'S SHADOW is a textbook example of the genre directed by the renowned Yuen Woo-ping. While the simple storyline is nothing to write home about, the movie offers up a relentless onslaught of gags and fights, all of which are handled with aplomb by a willing team.

Inevitably, the standout thing about the film is Chan himself, and he's in his element here with a role which is both physically strenuous and highly comedic in equal measure. Chan displays the winning formula that would go on to make him a huge worldwide star over the next couple of decades, and watching him larking about on screen is a real delight.

The comedy is often lowbrow and involves sight gags, slapstick and silly humour, but somehow it all works. The fight scenes are inventive and fun to watch, and the arduous training sequences are particularly well staged. There's also some solid support from Sam Seed (Yuen Woo-ping's dad, no less) as the funny old man and Hwang Jang Lee as the villain. Both actors were typecast in their respective parts, but when they fit them so well you can see why.

'Snake in the Eagle's Shadow' - Jackie Chan's other breakthrough hit, along with 'Drunken Master'. Both released in 1978, these two movies made the careers of Jackie Chan and director Yuen Woo Ping, and both featured Siu Tien Yuen and Hwang Jang Lee in similar roles.

The plot follows Chien Fu (Jackie Chan), an orphan abused and mistreated by the kung-fu (evil, of course) school he works at. He can't fight until he meets Pai Cheng-Cheh (Siu Tien Yuen), a grand-master of Snake Fist, and last remaining follower of the Snake Fist style. A rivalry between the Snake Fist and Eagle Claw styles has led to the near-elimination of the Snake Fist style, and Chien Fu and Pai Cheng-Cheh find themselves being hunted by Lord Sheng Kuan (Hwang Jang Lee), the master of the Eagle Claw style.

The awesomeness of 'Snake in the Eagle's Shadow' lies in the fact that it really is quite similar to 'Drunken Master', which is also awesome. Again, the plot is a pretty standard kung-fu plot, but any plot which allows for the maximum amount of on-screen kung-fu time is a good plot. The training sequences are entertaining, and the following fight scenes are incredible - Jackie, Hwang Jang Lee and Yuen Woo Ping are all at their best here.

'Snake in the Eagle's Shadow' is an awesome and very funny movie - 10/10, a must see for all Jackie Chan fans.

Jackie's first big hit. It's easy to see why it was so popular when it was first released. Nobody had ever seen comedy and kung fu mixed together before. And if it wasn't for Jackie, we might have never have. Good and plentiful fights easily make this a kung fu classic that still entertains over 20 years later.

This along with Drunken Master I (not Drunken Master II which was released in the US as Legend of Drunken Master, which is good but not great) have to be the best of the pure Kung-fu genre. This is just one great fight scene after another. The choreography is breathtaking, especially for two scenes: one where Jackie slides rags under the school master's feet, and the other where the old man doesnt allow Jackie to take his bowl. This is the original Kill Bill, just pure thrilling action. The story is so not a factor that I wont even mention it.

Jackie's Hong Kong movies are a class apart. Hollywood spoiled the martial arts genre. The new Jackie Chan movies and Jet Li etc are insufferable because of Hollywood overdoing things. I dont think there will be action as exhilarating as Hong Kong kung-fu ever again... sadly, technology takes away beautiful things. I'll end with a paraphrase of Roger Ebert's on talent: When you see anyone doing something difficult and making it look easy and *a joy*, you feel enhanced. It is a victory for the human side over the enemies of laziness and timidity.

Action choreographer and legendary martial arts director Yuen Woo Ping directed this early and important film of Jackie Chan's career in 1978. This film made Jackie a star in almost one night, and more was to come in form of Drunken Master very soon, and history tells the rest. Snake in the Eagle's Shadow stars the sympathetic old man Siu Tien Yuen as the master of Snake style in kung fu. There's also a "rival" style called Eagle style and these two styles compete together for students and power in the field of martial arts world. Jackie plays a poor and orphan youngster who gets to do nothing but wash floors in the Eagle school and occasionally, he is also used as a human "punchbag" in the training. Soon he gets enough and meets by accident the old man who eventually teaches Jackie the secrets of his Snake fighting style.

The fights are indeed fantastic and they include also the magnificent kicks of the legendary taekwondo master Jang Lee Hwang, who plays the main villain in this film. The last fight between Jackie and Hwang is very long and full of adrenalin as these two masters of their own art fight for life. Also the training scenes are very memorable and look painful! It isn't easy to become a master of martial arts. There's plenty of fights in this film and that's about all this film is about and why it's been done in the first place; the dialogue and screenplay are very shallow and often meaningless and there's also some irritating use of music which tries to make the film more entertaining and funny to watch, but of course this was meant to be a comedy kung fu flick like Drunken Master and many others. Still the film could have some depth and even message in it like many Bruce Lee films definitely have. But as far as one is interested in excellent martial arts fights and excitement, films like Snake in the Eagle's Shadow are highly recommended, because there are no better substitutes in this field. If you prefer (as I do) more serious and dark martial art films, then I recommend Ronny Yu's Bride With White Hair and Tsui Hark's Blade, for instance. I just don't like the often stupid humor in HK films and that's why I don't appreciate Snake as highly as I wanted to.

If you want to see a comic kung fu film with the young and incredible Jackie Chan, then this film is worth buying or renting, and even I think I'll keep this in my collection because of the fact that in its own genre, this is almost unbeatable and thus a classic; the problem is the genre (comical kung fu) isn't among my favorites. 7/10

This is Jackie Chan's best film I have seen so far! Miles better than Drunken Master. The guy is supremely fit, which you see in this film, and the skill this guy possesses is second-to-none. There is tons of fighting from absolutely loads of Hong Kong's top martial artists. Apart from Jackie Chan, it's "Thunder Legs" Hwang Jang Lee who stands out, this guy is a supreme kicking machine! If you want to see a classic, then this is it! 10/10

One of the biggest classics of martial arts cinema, the film that started a new subgenre in kung fu cinema , the comedy kung fu cinema and the breakthrough fim for its star, the legendary Jackie Chan...

Directed by the legendary Yuen Woo Ping and co-starred by his father Yuen Siu Tien, playing his eternal role as the old beggar drunken master, this film is an example of how a perfect kung fu movie should be made, from the badass opening sequence with Jackie training with a red background behind him , accompanied by a catchy music until the final epic final fight against the great Hwang Jang Lee , the film is a succession of outstanding and very original martial arts sequences accompanied by great doses of humour ..Although that Lau Kar Leung already had used this formula in his directorial debut "The spiritual Boxer" made three years before, however, it was this film the one that gave a new direction to Hong Kong kung fu movies becoming in an instant classic..

MASTERPIECE

At first it looks like a typical schlocky kung fu flick -- the young hero studies with an elderly master and foolishly betrays him to his enemies, the leaders of a rival school, but redeems himself by a marvelous advance in technique. Everyone fights everyone else all the time, with lots of high, leaping kicks. Everyone fights lithely, even the old fellow, sound effects are ridiculous and so forth. It's also an early lead by Jackie Chan.

Looking at it broadly, it's not much, Looking at it closely, however, I noticed some small, humorous grace notes. There are none of the major gag sequences in which Jackie melds classic slapstick props with his fighting, but I could definitely see the seeds of his later greatness. He acts like he is hurt and his avoidance of some attacks and his slithering around others are definitely silly. While it's by no means a classic, you can see where he will go later.

I´ll try to summary this movie. Orphan (Jackie Chan) is being mistreated by evil Kun fu-Club owner on the club in which he is a cleaner. He meets an old beggar who learns him "snake style" -kun fu. The old man is being hunted down for knowledge of the martial art. Check this movie out. If you like Jackie-Chan, then you will love this movie. I give it a 10/10.

This movie is my childhood Favorite. i like it when i was a small boy but when i grow up i thought watching the movie again might ruin the taste of movie, but i was surprised that i still like it very much.. The martial arts training and the way Jackie introduce another martial art style into traditional snake fist style is gr8.

The enemy Eagle fist were more stronger than Snake fist. But by Jackie Chan's invention he become able to defeat the master of Eagle fist. The bottom line is that this movie is very good for 1978's standards... The Jackie's master is also very interesting personality.. for me the movie is worth watching and time spending. One never gets bored that's the quality of the this movie....

I've watched a lot of kung fu movies and a lot of Jackie Chan movies. This one is a cut above. The theme of the physically and mentally abused young man is a classic one and commonly used, but it's illustrated in this movie much better than in many others. You really feel Jackie's mental anguish. One particularly charming and clever scene is when his new friend, the 'old man' tries to cheer Chien Fu (Jackie) up after he's had a pretty nasty beating with his clever agility with a tea bowl. This not only amuses Chien Fu and cheers him up, but makes him curious about learning the skills himself. A delightful scene brilliantly executed. You can't take your eyes off of them.

This movie is full of fight sequences that are just riveting. Don't blink! There are also multiple little plots going on, and a variety of characters, which make this movie much more interesting in the kung fu genre. Yet it is still a very simple theme and the action is the star, which is what you want. Jackie took a lot of actual physical punishment in this one. According to his autobiography, when his arm gets cut in the scene involving the sword, it was supposed to be staged with a blunt sword but the sword was still sharp and he gets cut for real. Jackie also lost a tooth when he got kicked in the final fight scene, which you can see missing at the end of the fight.

Masterpiece.

Magnificent film of martial arts that was a turning point in Hong Konés cinema, in which a young director Yuen Woo-Ping introduced a different way of understanding martial arts cinema, until then dominated by the long shadow of Bruce Lee, by a mixture of Drama and humor, together with some simply fantastic and complex choreographies.

A young Jackie Chan became the new star of Chinese and international martial arts cinema, thanks to his charisma and acrobatic skills, something that would be sitting in the subsequent and equally successful Drunken Master.

The film is simply perfect, in terms of rhythm, with entertaining fights, an emotional and funny soundtrack according to the occasions, and one of the best villains seen in the martial arts cinema, which inspired none other than Akira Toriyama for Create your character from Tao Pai Pai.

Great Movie highly recommended.

This is a funny movie with action as well and the pairing of the master and Jackie is a well done up grouping.

In this comedy, one martial arts discipline is hunting down and killing everyone from another martial arts discipline. I don't understand why, but that's the deal.

Jackie Chan has nothing to do with this. He just works as a grunt and sample punching bag at martial arts school, until he meets an old man who trains him and ... this sounds so dumb I can't even continue.

The martial arts fights are an odd mix of straight-ahead fights and Jackie-Chan-style comedy fights, done by both Chan and by the old man, played by Siu-Tin Yuen. These are exactly what you watch Jackie Chan movies for. There's also fun low comedy involving a rich man and his idiot son.

One interesting thing about this movie is how much of it is just Jackie Chan doing his moves. It's what happens during the opening credits, and again in scenes of Chan progressing. It's surprisingly enjoyable - it's more like watching a dance performance than anything else.

Anyway, it's a pretty dumb movie, but most of the action is great (although I'm not such a fan of the occasional straight-ahead one-on-one fights that don't involve Chan or Yuen) and the pace is quick.

Lots of fun, and recommended.

Snake In The Eagle's Shadow is for those movie buffs who are kung fu wannabees. It is also for those who are die hard Jackie Chan fans and for those who love action movies. The film does clip along at a fast enough pace so that one does not get bored. I can see the kung fu wannabees practicing their moves along with the movie. This is not what I consider a typical Jackie Chan movie. His movies usually have more humor in them. This reminds me of the old westerns whereby you have shoot 'em up scenes throughout the movies, however, this is karate chop 'em up instead. This is not my kind of movie even though I am a fan of Jackie Chan.