Synopsis: Ching (Meng Yuen Man) is determined to become a kung-fu expert, yet each time he begins to train with a new master, they are mysteriously assassinated. Killer Bah (Wilson Tong) is a professional assassin whose use of the secret daggers makes him an unbeatable killing machine. Ching swears to avenge all his master's deaths and prepares by developing his skills to perfection.

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Views: From Goldig Films and the fantastic Wilson Tong, comes Daggers 8 – a movie inspired by the likes of Drunken Master and Snake In The Eagles Shadow (like many before it), and packed with great moves and kung-fu battles, funny comedy, and a decent cast. The highly enjoyable Meng Yuen Man plays Ching, cheeky rich boy with great kung-fu. It's a role akin to that of Jackie's in Dragon Lord, with Ching even having a house assistant that tries to help him trick his grandfather with his studies. Ching's grandfather despises the fact that his youngest grandson only cares about kung-fu, and after his older brother turns up dead due to a fight, resorts to locking Ching up. It doesn't take long for Ching to escape and start his journey in finding a kung-fu master that will teach him...

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The first comes in the shape of Peter Chan Lung, a restaurant owner who helps Ching when he gets into some bother protecting a girl from some horny men – one of which is Dragon Lord co-star, Cheng Kang Yeh. In a nearby village, assassin Wilson Tong turns up at a book store where he is pointed to a particular book that holds the contract for his next hit, which happens to be Ching's new master. Chan Lung soon meets his end when Tong arrives at the restaurant and attacks him. Later in the day, Ching arrives back to find his master murdered, and without knowing how or why continues on his journey. The happy-go-lucky fighter soon runs into a couple of bandits on the road who attack and try to rob him. While he holds his own against them, Ching soon finds help from a new kung-fu master that helps put a stop to things. This new master is Alan Chui, who takes offense to Ching calling him teacher but quickly buckles and agrees to take Ching as a student. Of course, after some time has passed, Chiu soon finds himself up against the deadly Tong and is soon killed like Chan Lung before him. Moving on once again, Ching runs into the wonderful Lily Li – a pretty girl with fantastic moves who kicks his ass a couple of times before agreeing to take him on as a student. As with the rest, she soon comes face-to-face with Tong in one of the film's highlight moments. A final twist leaves Ching's grandfather dead, though not before he confesses his secrets to the young fighter that all leads to an incredible showdown between Tong and Ching, with both stars delivering some great moves and Meng finally letting loose!

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While he didn't star in many films over the course of his career, in comparison to many other kung-fu actors of that era, Meng Yuen Man still made quite the impression. Getting in with Shaw Brothers from an early age, Meng would go on to kick-ass and entertain in titles like The Dragon Missile, Hell's Windstaff, The Fighting Fool, and The Master Strikes with famed director and choreographer, Tony Ching Siu Tung. He continues to impress here, both with his comedy and kung-fu skills, getting to show some incredible moves for the majority of the films running time. Co-director and fight-choreographer Wilson Tong offers some of his best stuff, both as a co-star and director while giving everyone the chance to shine as much as he does himself. Daggers 8 would be his third feature as a director after the fantastic Kung-Fu Genius, and Snake Deadly Act, and is joined behind the camera by Cheung Sum who also plays Ching's grandfather. As always, it's great to see the likes of Peter Chan Lung, Alan Chiu, and Lily Li in any film, and interesting to note that Miss Li would also deliver an equally fantastic role in Jackie Chan's Young Master, shot the same year. She's an incredible kung-fu starlet that rarely fails to deliver, and gets to show off some incredible moves here – right down to her deadly fight with Wilson Tong. Popular Hong Kong actor and comedy star, Wong yat Fei, more internationally known for his role in Shaolin Soccer, stars as Ching's house assistant, with appearances from regular faces such as Cheng Kang Yeh, Billy Chan, and prolific actor Sai Gwa Pau – who has an incredible 800+ titles to his name.

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While Daggers 8 may just seem like another kung-fu comedy, it is one of the better copy-cat films of that time offering neat direction and decent camerawork. It also wins with such a great cast and Wilson Tong's choreography, which is always a joy to watch. Like most titles from Goldig Films, Daggers 8 is worth the watch and quite enjoyable – even if it's a case of having seen it all before. One of the forgotten stars of the infamous Seven Little Fortunes troupe with Jackie Chan, Sammo Hung, and Yuen Biao, Daggers 8 would be one of three Meng Yuen Man films produced in 1980, before he would retire from the business in 1982 after suffering a heart attack...

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Overall: Great kung-fu and decent comedy add to a top cast that makes Daggers 8 worth the watch!