My Shaw Brothers Cinematic Journey
A list of all the Shaw Brothers films I've watched, from newbie to aficionado.
List activity
2.6K views
• 3 this weekCreate a new list
List your movie, TV & celebrity picks.
297 titles
- DirectorJimmy Wang YuStarsJimmy Wang YuLieh LoPing WangA martial artist seeks revenge after his master and his entire Kwoon are wiped out by Japanese Karate masters who're in cahoots with a vile martial artist seeking to control the area by opening casinos and trapping people in debt.As good as any a place to start. Jimmy Wang Yu stars in this hard-hitting kung fu classic influenced by Japanese cinema. Still holds up to this day despite countless imitations.
- DirectorCheh ChangStarsKuan Tai ChenFeng LuPhillip Chung-Fung KwokThree men who have been physically disabled by an evil warlord and his physically-disabled son become friends and learn kung fu so that they can seek revenge with help from an elderly martial-arts teacher and his mentally-disabled pupil.An eye-popping viewing experience that introduced me to Chang Cheh and the Venoms. Packed with gruesome action and imaginative fights, this was an early favourite of mine and remains classic viewing.
- DirectorChia-Liang LiuStarsKuan Tai ChenLieh LoYue WongHong Hsi-Kuan devotes years to mastering Tiger style Kung Fu in order to defeat the evil priest Pai Mei. His wife, who is an expert in Crane style Kung Fu, has a feeling training in only one style won't be enough.A solid martial arts experience from Liu Chia-Liang, complete with Lo Lieh's iconic white-haired bad guy. The slow mid part lets it down a bit.
- DirectorCheh ChangStarsDavid ChiangLung TiSheng FuFive students escape from the destruction of their beloved Shaolin Temple...now each must take revenge and train in their own seperate fighting styles...they will become The Five Shaolin Masters!!A simple story, brought to life well by Chang Cheh's stylish direction and one of the very best of his 'Shaolin cycle' of films.
- DirectorCheh ChangStarsSheng FuKuan-Chun ChiSzu ShihFour friends learn kung fu to avenge the death of their friend against the manchus.The presence of ninja star Richard Harrison was my 'in' road to this tale, another personal favourite thanks to the stylish action scenes and mayhem.
- DirectorCheh ChangHsueh-Li PaoStarsKuan Tai ChenLi ChingDavid ChiangLeaving 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.I first saw this film on a VHS tape and it left an impression. Seeing it in the digital age in all of its widescreen gory glory, it's a stand-out gangster classic.
- DirectorCheh ChangStarsDavid ChiangLung TiPing WangChina 1925, a man returns to track down a kill the men who murdered his brother.The film that put David Chiang on the map for me. Similar to Boxer from Shantung, and just as impactful.
- DirectorRoy Ward BakerCheh ChangStarsPeter CushingDavid ChiangJulie EgeIn China, Professor Van Helsing helps eight kung fu-trained siblings reclaim their ancestral mountain village, now the domain of seven powerful vampires and their army of undead slaves.When I found out that Hammer and Shaw worked together on a kung fu horror classic, I was absolutely delighted, and I still am when watching this movie.
- DirectorChia-Liang LiuStarsChia-Hui LiuSheng FuLily LiMongols with the help of an insider, ambush the influential Yang Family, defenders of the dynasty. The Mongols must hunt down all Yang survivors so their insidious plot to overthrow the dynasty will not be uncovered.Baldie Gordon Liu knocking out teeth aplenty makes this an irresistable watch. Only later did I learn of Fu Sheng's tragic death during the production.
- DirectorMeng-Hua HoStarsLung TiLieh LoNi TienAn evil magician makes a living by casting deadly spells on people's objects of desire. He gets overly ambitious, and start to go out of control.I only found out that Shaw did horror after watching this gruesome odyssey. Jaw-dropping stuff in places.
- DirectorMeng-Hua HoStarsLung TiNi TienLieh LoAn evil magician and his zombie minions are up against a trio of doctors who are on a mission to find the cause of an outbreak of unknown diseases caused by his spells.A worthy follow-up to the first film, and even more grisly and disturbing if anything.
- DirectorMeng-Hua HoStarsDanny LeePing ChenLily LiA cripple takes revenge on criminals by using a magic spell that transforms him into an oily monster/superhero.A weird combination of superhero film, revenge flick, and kung fu outing that somehow works despite (or maybe because of) the outlandish premise.
- DirectorChih-Hung KueiStarsPhillip KoShao-Yen LinKar-Man WaiWhile in Thailand to avenge his brother who was crippled in a fight with a corrupt Thai boxer, a man gets caught up in a web of fate, Buddhism and black magic.Essentially a special effects showcase, this surreal horror film is beyond belief and still one of the most bizarre and shocking productions ever filmed.
- DirectorChia-Liang LiuStarsChia-Hui LiuYuka MizunoYasuaki KurataA Chinese man (Liu) marries a Japanese woman through an arranged marriage and manages to insult all of her Japanese martial arts family by issuing a challenge to her that is misinterpreted by the others. He must then prove how good Chinese Kung Fu really is through a series of duels with the seven Japanese martial artists who come to meet the challenge.The first film I watched that was really about the technique and style of the martial arts. Oddly bloodless, only recently did I discover that this was a Shaw production. It does feel a little shallow despite good action, and both director and star would go on to do better.
- DirectorMichael CarrerasMonte HellmanStarsStuart WhitmanLung TiLily LiShatter, an international hitman, is hiding out in Hong Kong after he has completed a contract out on an African leader. Shatter soon finds out that everyone wants him dead, including the crime syndicate, the cops and the brother of the African leader he killed. Shatter teams up with a kung fu expert to try to get the money that is owed to him. Various double crosses and fight scenes ensue.Hammer's follow-up to Legend of the 7 Golden Vampires; not quite as much fun, but still a worthwhile thriller. I had no idea who Ti Lung was the first time I watched it.
- DirectorCheh ChangStarsTien-Chi ChengTien-Hsiang LungMeng LoA Chinese martial arts school is infiltrated and destroyed by ninjas. Tian Hao survives the massacre and seeks to uncover the trickery of ninjutsu in order to beat the Five Element Ninjas and avenge his family.Watching this on a fuzzy dupe did little to dilute what is essentially an insane viewing experience. Later I got hold of a bootleg DVD which was a step up, but thanks to 88 Asia viewers can now experience this in all of its widescreen, original language, uncut glory on Blu-ray.
- DirectorChia-Liang LiuStarsHou HsiaoChia-Hui LiuLily LiGordon Liu Chia-hui reprises his famous Monk San Te role as he tries to support and protect Shaolin her Fang Shih-yu who purposely attacks corrupt Ching officials. Fights by legendary action director Liu Chia-liang are to die for.I watched this on TV before experiencing the two previous films and didn't like it too much. Watching it again recently and it's perfectly serviceable, a fine cast adding much to the proceedings.
- DirectorCheh ChangStarsMeng LoSheng ChiangLi WangThe Wu Tang chief sends out his men, each of whom is given a symbol so they can recognize each other. The largest is given to Lee, whom the others are to obey.The first time I watched this I still didn't know much about the Venoms and thought it was missing something. Watching it again recently and it's a fine, entertaining vehicle for the team.
- DirectorYuen ChorStarsFei AiShen ChanPing ChenTwo clans compete for dominance over the martial arts world in this classic of violent swordplay and political intrigue. A complex tale of deception and double crosses. Killer Clans leaves viewers guessing every step of the way. Masterful fight choreography from Yuen Cheung Yan (Yuen Clan member and brother of Yuen Woo Ping) and Tong Gaai fills the screen with bloody sword fighting and imaginative weaponry, delivering both great drama and fantastic martial arts.The first Shaw martial arts film I watched that prioritised story over action. One of Chor Yuen's finest 'martial world' odysseys.
- DirectorCheh ChangStarsSheng ChiangChien SunPhillip Chung-Fung KwokThe sixth and final pupil of a dying martial arts teacher is instructed to find the teacher's five former pupils and defeat any evil ones that are among them.I saw this on DVD and it was long overdue; now I knew who the Venoms were and could appreciate the interplay between them.
- DirectorChia-Liang LiuStarsYue WongChen-Chi LinLung TiA con artist uses Kung Fu to swindle villagers for money by pretending to be possessed by angry gods. However, when the villagers are later threatened by bandits he must use the same skills for good.I didn't know who Wong Yue was at this stage and was expecting the film to be in the style of Encounters of the Spooky Kind. Thus I didn't enjoy it too much, although looking back it's not too bad.
- DirectorChia-Liang LiuStarsChia-Hui LiuLieh LoYue WongA man studies kung fu at the Shaolin Temple to fight back against the oppressive Manchu government.The most popular of all the Shaolin Temple movies, this one turned Yul Brynner lookalike Gordon Liu into a global superstar and features highly memorable training sequences amid a leisurely, revenge-fuelled narrative.
- DirectorKing HuStarsPei-Pei ChengHua YuehChih-Ching YangBandits kidnap a governor's son and demand their imprisoned leader to be set free in exchange. The governor's daughter, a skilled martial artist, is sent to rescue him, but eventually finds herself overmatched and in need of assistance.Another film I watched thanks to FilmFour. A bit slow, a bit mannered, but the seeds of greatness are sown here.
- DirectorLung-Wei WangStarsKa-Yan LeungNorman ChuShu-Yuan HsuAfter receiving a life imprisonment sentence for a NY Chinatown massacre, Jia Shi Lan obtains a pardon through the Mafia's influence.A modern-day film with a big reputation. This doesn't disappoint, becoming an instant favourite thanks to the incredible levels of violence and the burning revenge story. What a way for the studio to bow out!
- DirectorChi LoStarsKara WaiKar-Yung LauJui-yi LiuWhen young Tieh Chiao San is sent by his dying father to live with a former kung fu colleague in the town, he accidentally gets into trouble when messing with a gang running a snake-oil scam and then getting into a fight with an old drunkard. When Tieh reaches his destination he finds that the snake-oil gang is run by none other than his father's friend. He joins the gang but cannot bring himself to do the bad deeds demanded of him; this continues to the point where he is beaten and left for dead. Luckily he is rescued by the pretty Tsai Chiao and hidden out with her drunk uncle and leprosy suffering aunt as well as a Shaolin temple. Tieh uses his time to learn some new kung fu styles, which is just as well as it is not long till the gang come after him looking to finish the job.Amazon Prime have done a great job of bringing widescreen, high definition Shaw Brothers films to subscribers. I loved this film purely for the quality and it was the beginning of an intense viewing period for me.