The Boxer From Shantung

Cheh Cheng / Hsueh Li Pao
1972

Probably the best and most fully realized Shaw Brothers Picture I've seen to date. TBFS is a bizarre combination of kung fu, gangsters without guns, and an ambitious rise to power narrative. Kuan Tai Chen is a wonderfully skilled and charismatic Kung Fu actor, and infuses his character with enough ruthless drive to make 50 Cent blush.

The most interesting element of TBFS is the uncontested moral relativism. Ma Yung Chen is a bumpkin turned gangster with simple gaudy tastes. This translates to him desiring the most expensive prostitutes, and drinking to excess. While the director doesn't necessarily glamorize this mentality, there are never any repercussions presented.

Despite the loose morals, Ma generally tends to play the invincible good guy who refuses to shake down poor shopkeepers for protection money. He also makes sure not to forget his down and out friends from the lean days. In fights Ma is immaculate, and is only struck at the film's climax when a hatchet is buried in his side.

In the end TBFS is a rise and fall with a somewhat unsatisfying resolution. While Ma dies heroically in a spectacularly grandiose Shaw Bros. Battle, it never seems like he faces much adversity. The will to power comes easy due to Ma's insane fisticuffs and thus his resulting death and loss seems irrelevant and boring. Its a good thing that the picture makes up for it with spectacular kung fu scenes and fights (most notably with a giant Russian wrestler). The Tan-Si character adds a nice touch of dandy-ism and fancy-pants flair.

Let's not forget that John Woo worked as assistant director. He would later say that TBFS was an incredibly inspiring work experience for him. It definitely shows in his later work.

Review by Brett A. Scieszka