The Odds On Excitement Are Ten To One!
Starring: Wang Li, Lung Tien-Chiang, Chien Hsiao-Hao, Ti Lung, Alexander Fu Sheng, Wei Pei, Sun Chien, Lu Feng, Kuo Chue, Chiang Sheng, Wang Lung Wei, Philip Kwok
Director: Chang Cheh
1980 | 90 Minutes | Not Rated
“You’re not good enough to fight me. You’re weak!” – Su Heihu
After my first foray into the world of the Shaw Brothers with The 5 Deadly Venoms, I wanted to keep the ball rolling. There’s a TON to choose from but Ten Tigers of Kwangtung was next on my list.
The Ten Tigers of Kwangtung provide a safe haven for an anti-Ching revolutionary. Years later, their deed heaps deadly consequences upon their descendants, who must now fend for their lives and for their forefathers’ cause.
I’m far from an expert on Asian cinema or Shaw Brothers movies but the cast of Ten Tigers of Kwangtung is pretty much a who’s who of Shaw Brothers and martial arts movie stars.
The story of Ten Tigers of Kwangtung is pretty incomprehensible. The only reason I even had the slightest idea of what was going on was because I read the back of the DVD prior to watching.
Even with the poor storytelling, Ten Tigers of Kwangtung redeems itself where it counts… in the fights. The fights seem to roll through every few minutes with cool techniques and weapons. This movie is just short of being literally non-stop action.
Easily the best part of the movie are the unique and very bloody deaths. Every one was a HOLY CRAP, I’VE NEVER SEEN THAT BEFORE moment. One guy gets his skull crushed by a golden statue, spraying blood everywhere. Another guy gets the “claw” of another dude in the back of his head. And the finale tops it all. I’ve spoiled enough already so I won’t go any further.
Synopsis: watch Ten Tigers of Kwangtung for the martial arts, the amazingly creative deaths and the all star martial arts cast… not so much for the story.
