DVD Review: King Boxer (Five Fingers of Death)

The year was 1973, kung fu flicks were still not all that popular in the States, unless your name was Bruce Lee. Along comes King Boxer, under the flashier, more exploitive sounding title of Five Fingers of Death, people went to see it, not knowing what to expect. They walked out of the theater stunned, shocked, amazed, and highly entertained. The end result was the first hit kung fu flick in the West, and the floodgates were opened to many Shaw Brothers classics to come to the States, and the chop-socky era was under way. This was my first exposure to the movie, and while I liked it, I did not have the same reaction I did to other recent viewings of The One-Armed Swordsman or The 36th Chamber of Shaolin, both of which I consider to be superior to this. Although, there is no denying the impact that it had on the international market for martial arts films.

The sory is a straight forward affair, although there are moments and characters that exist in the gray area between good and bad. Lo Lieh stars as Chi-hao, a student of moderate talent, but with great potential. One day his teacher is attacked, and decides that his top student would do best to go study under another master in order to prepare for an upcoming tournament. Reluctantly, Chi-hao travels to study under Shen Chin-pei (Mien Fang). It is here where he learns humility, being forced to perform menial labor before being allowed to enter any lessons. This pays off, as Chi-hao continues to demonstrate his skill which convinces Chin-pei to teach him the art of the Iron Palm (or Iron Fist). This news does not go well on the other side of town.

While Chi-hao's studies continue, Ming Dung-shun (Feng Tien), leader of a rival school, is willing to go to any lenght to ensure that his son coems out on top at the tournament. His students, and some hired Japanese thugs, set out to kill/maim, or otherwise incapacitate the competion. So, when he learns of the potential teaching of the Iron Palm, he sends out the troops. This results in an attack which breaks the hands of our hero, not to mention his spirit.

Now, if you don't know where this is going, or how it may end, you just have not seen enough movies. It may be martial arts, it may be centered on another culture, but the basic thrust of the story is pretty common throughout film in general. It goes through themes of honor, revenge, love, and betrayal, with a liberal does of bloody martial arts action.

In the great pantheon of kung fu flicks of this era, this is a decent example, but I believe it is more respected for its status of kicking off the craze than for its quality of film. That is not a knock, it is more a personal observation as I have found other films that I enjoy much more. Still, Five Fingers of Death is a fantastic example of martial arts action. The action is good, although I did get a little bored with all of the trampoline jumps. There is plenty of blood spurting, culminating in the famous eye-gouging scene. Any fan of martial arts films, or someone looking to make an entrance into the genre, this is definitely a film that you will want to check out.

Audio/Video. Both are very good, although its age does show through. Some of the colors are a but worn, and the audio is a bit hollow. Still, this is likely the best it has looked since it was made over thirty years ago.

Extras.

• Commentary. Features Scholars David Chute and Elvis Mitchell, accompanied by director Quentin Tarantino. Anything with Tarantino is entertaining, and this track is no exception, as the trio talk about the film, their experiences seeing them during the initial release. It is a good track.
• Interview: Director Chang-Hwa Jeong. The interview is a little dry, but it goes into how much of what is in this movie was new to China.
• Interview: Action Director Lau Kar-wing. This interview goes into how he got into movies and his involvement with designing the action.
• Interview: David Chute and Andy Klein. They go into how revolutionary and different this movie was for its time. The violence and the content all inclusive.
• Stills Gallery. A collection of production stills.
• Trailer Gallery. Includes King Boxer as well as other Shaw films.

Bottomline. This is definitely a classic film. Plenty of action, and a lot of history behind it. It is great to have a quality release of it finally available. Lo Lieh portrays a quietly charismatic hero, and really carries the film. If you haven't seen it, make sure you do. Also, make sure to listen for, and react to the Ironside theme, reused here before Kill Bill got to it.

Recommended.