Ever wanted to watch someone fight with a bird cage before? If so, Monkey Kung Fu is the action spectacle for you! Flawed but absolutely gonzo with its wall-to-wall action sequences which involves chairs, bowls, a bed, and all sorts of interesting props, the film is energetic and absolutely off its rocker as two prisoners go off in search of the Gibbon Fist, a style of fighting that few know about.
"flawed but absolutely gonzo with its wall-to-wall action sequences"
Directed by Mar Lo for the Shaw Brothers, Monkey Kung Fu (aka Stroke of Death) is just about all action scenes and, with stunts this impressive, that’s not a bad thing either as the comedy doesn’t always work, but the fight scenes - including a prison fight which has to be seen to be believed - are endlessly impressive.
Released during the year of Mad Monkey Kung Fu, which often overshadows this release, this chop socky offering is often dismissed or picked over when it comes to appreciating the style of fight, which is a shame. With its debut on blu-ray from 88 Films, hopefully more people will lock eyes on Lo Mar’s film and applaud it for what it is: a cult classic from the East.
There’s not much of a story here, but Wei Chun, played by Tony Ching Siu-Tung (House of Flying Daggers, Chinese Ghost Story) is absolutely amazing to watch as he (also the fight choreographer) finds that his cocky attitude has landed himself in prison, then fighting a one-eyed master of Gibbon Clan Kung Fu. While he earns the elder’s respect before being put to death and given one-half of a wooden talisman which will unlock a secret scroll.
Alongside Chao (Hou Chao-sheng, who has the other half of the talisman), he breaks free of the prison and goes in search of this ancient scroll, all while being chased by a pole fighter, the son of the one-eyed master’s greatest foe, who also wants the scroll. Paper thin, right? But when the action spectacle is this inventive and fun, who really cares?!
The film is shot with a kinetic camera and it never once grows tiresome as Ching kicks a whole lot of ass, including a hilarious battle in the bedroom with a prostitute whose kung fu skills are absolutely bonkers. Monkey Kung Fu is a fun ride through the sillier side of chop socky entertainment.
88 Films is proud to bring it to blu-ray with this release.
Home Video Distributor: 88 Films
Available on Blu-ray - March 22, 2022
Screen Formats: 2.35:1
Subtitles: English
Audio: English: LPCM 2.0 Mono; Cantonese: LPCM 2.0 Mono
Discs: Blu-ray Disc; single disc
Region Encoding: Locked to Region A
From director Mar Lo (Shaolin Thief), and starring Siu-Tung Ching (The Shaolin Boxer) comes this fast-moving Wuxia classic from the legendary Shaw Brothers studio. When prisoner Ching is given half of a wooden keepsake by a one eyed-master about to be executed, he breaks out of prison to go in search of the other half to discover its purpose. However, on his quest he is pursued by a gang leader who will also stop at nothing to find out its secrets. Embroiling mystical promise, an adventurous journey and a search for the truth into its winding storyline, Monkey Kung Fu AKA Stroke of Death is a uniquely satisfying late seventies delve into the magical world of martial arts Hong Kong cinema.
Video
Presented in a 2.35:1 aspect ratio, Monkey Kung Fu, is, like a lot of Shaw Brothers productions, very bloody. Interiors are strong. Colors pop throughout, but it is the blood effects - burning bright in the transfer - which seal the deal on this one. It’s full of great atmosphere thanks to the quick-footed script and looks visually eye-popping due to the 1080- upgrade. Black levels are strong throughout, bringing out nice details in both the loud and quiet moments of this epic adventure. The tracking shots are glorious to behold in 1080p.
Audio
The audio is presented with your choice of a clean lossless Mandarin Mono DTS-HD Master Audio With New English Subtitle Translations and an English dub.
Supplements:
Complete with brand-new artwork from R. P. Kung Fu Bob O’Briwn, 88 Films provides fans some solid supplemental entertainment which highlights the efforts of the filmmakers.
Commentary:
There is a new Audio commentary by Kenneth Brorsson and Phil Gillon of the Podcast On Fire Network which is absolutely fabulous with its coverage of the movie.
Special Features:
- Audio commentary by Kenneth Brorsson and Phil Gillon of the Podcast On Fire Network
- Stunting Around - An Interview with Choreographer Tony Leung Siu-hung by Frédéric Ambroisine
- Original Trailer
- Reversible sleeve with brand-new artwork from R.P. “Kung Fu Bob” O’Brien & Original Hong Kong poster artwork
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Composite Blu-ray Grade
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MPAA Rating: R.
Runtime: 93 mins
Director: Mar Lo
Writer: Mar Lo; On Szeto
Cast: Siu-Tung Ching; Chiu-Sing Hau; Feng Kuan
Genre: Action | Drama
Tagline:
Memorable Movie Quote: "Tomorrow I'll be taken to the execution site."
Distributor: Shaw Brothers
Official Site:
Release Date: May , 1979 (Hong Kong)
DVD/Blu-ray Release Date: March 22, 2022
Synopsis: A small-time crook goes in search of the other half of a wooden keepsake which will lead him to the legendary kung fu technique of the Gibbon Clan Fist.
