Directorial Debut Dances Between Genres

Read Time:3 Minute, 38 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
The Iron Fisted Monk (San De huo shang yu Chong Mi Liu)
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Genre: Action, Drama
Year Released: 1977, Arrow Video Blu-ray
Runtime: 1h 33m
Director(s): Sammo Kam-Bo Hung
Writer(s): Feng Huang, Pro Hung Ching, Yu Ting
Cast: Sing Chen, James Tien, Hark-On Fung, Dean Shek, Shi-Kwan Yen, Ho Wang, Ching-Ying Lam, Wu Ma, Fat Chung, Lung Chan, Eric Tsang, Billy Chan, Hsiung Chao, Wei-Ying Chen, Wah Cheung
Where To Watch: available October 24, 2023; pre-order here www.arrowvideo.com, www.mvdshop.com, or www.amazon.com

RAVING REVIEW: THE IRON FISTED MONK, Sammo Hung's directorial debut, is a spectacle draped in choreographic elegance. This film features electrifying martial arts and some unexpected humor, like trying to mix oil and water. The multifaceted experience teeters between eliciting laughter and provoking thought. It was an intriguing experience and one I don’t think I was prepared for.

Emerging on the martial arts horizon, THE IRON FISTED MONK broke the mold, infusing laughs into a genre known for stern faces and fierce fists. However, the plot experiences some occasional moments of identity crisis. We see Sammo Hung not just as the director but also stepping into the vengeful shoes of Husker, embodying a journey of retaliation inspired by Shaolin's potent wisdom. I wasn’t overly familiar with Hung’s work until the last two years; thanks to Arrow’s fantastic slate of releases, I’ve explored his filmography and gathered a feeling for his style and artistic vision.

In THE IRON FISTED MONK, the storytelling weaves a plot thick with a vengeance but also fraught with crossed intersections. Characters like Liang (Hoi-Pang Lo,) driven by similar retributive hunger, find their stories crossing over with Husker's own, creating a narrative tangle that occasionally captivates. Despite the whirlwind pace, THE IRON FISTED MONK is a testament to Hung's creative talent. The action sequences form a visual extravaganza, especially the climax, which unfolds like a well-orchestrated martial arts ballet, offering an artful and satisfying narrative resolution. Hung's virtuosity shines undiminished with his ability to craft enthralling stunts and undertake demanding roles that defy expectations.

THE IRON FISTED MONK cements Sammo Hung's directorial prowess and martial arts' choreographic grandeur. While groundbreaking, this directorial exploration foreshadows the quirks that would pepper Hung's subsequent ventures. With its choreography and comedic audacity, THE IRON FISTED MONK remains enigmatic.

Bonus Materials
– 2K restoration from original film elements by Fortune Star
– High Definition (1080p) Blu-ray presentation of the original uncensored version
– Original lossless Cantonese and Mandarin mono audio, plus lossless English dub mono option
– Two choices of English dubbed audio: the original export dub mono (first time in the US) and the newer 5.1 dub created for international DVD presentations
– Optional English subtitles
– Audio commentary by martial arts cinema expert Frank Djeng
– Two archival interviews with Sammo Hung
– Archival interview with Casanova Wong
– Original theatrical trailer
– Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Gary Mills
– Double-sided fold-out poster featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Gary Mills
– Illustrated collector’s booklet featuring new writing by Brandon Bentley

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[photo courtesy of ARROW VIDEO, MVD ENTERTAINMENT]

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