Arrow Video Blu-ray Synopsis (Book): The streets of Guangdong are being decorated for a fire-cracker competition, the highlight of a traditional festival, which calls for the demonstration of kung-fu techniques. Wong Fei Hung, the 17 year old son of famous kung-fu master Wong Kei Ying, is frustrated because his father won't teach him martial arts. Constable Yuan Zheng, also a kung-fu master, comes to Lu A Cai, Wong Kei Ying's master, in search of a robber, Zhen Er Hu. Seeing Fei Hung before his residence , Yuan is much impressed by the young man and recommends Lu to teach him kung-fu. In spite of his friends advice that he is not ready, Fei Hung joins the fire-cracker contest. Being nimble, he succeeds in grabbing a cracker, but can't get away with it when surrounded and fought by the disciples of Peng Yu Gang, another kung-fu master. Finally, he is rescued by his friend Lin Jiang, who is badly injured while doing so. Despite his performance in the contest, Lu sees Fei Hung's potential and decides to adopt him as his disciple, taking him to the countryside for training. Meanwhile, Yuan Zheng spots Zhen Er Hu in a teahouse and accepts his challenge to a duel. During the match, Yuan is killed by Zhen's hidden weapon. After completing his training, Fei Hung challenges Zhen Er Hu to a duel, and beats him after a vicious fight. The robber is then handed over to the police. In another cracker competition, Peng arms his men with secret weapons to counter Fei Hung's contestants. But Fei-Hung and his comrades win an overwhelming victory, in spite of stiff resistance from Peng's men. In an ensuing fight, Fei Hung knocks down the ringleader of his rival team, but bearing in mind his masters teaching of winning an opponent's heart, he spares his life. Deeply moved, Peng repents over his misbehaviour and openly apologizes to Fei Hung's father. (97 Mins)

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DVD Synopsis: Wong Fei Hung (Gordon Liu, THE 36th CHAMBER OF SHAOLIN) tries to gain entry into his father's martial arts school, but is deemed too immature to handle it. Eventually, a revered master (Chen Kuan Tai, HEROES TWO) agrees to train him. After hearing of a friend's murder, Fei Hung kicks his training into high gear in order to take on the killer (director Liu Chia Liang, DRUNKEN MASTER 2). Along with director Liu's extraordinary choreography, CHALLENGE OF THE MASTERS boasts a moral depth rarely seen in kung fu movies of the time. Fei Hung takes both a physical and spiritual journey, finding strength, maturity and even compassion on his path to vengeance. (96 Mins)

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Views: Prolific writer Ni Kuang, who had already written well over 100 movies for Shaw Brothers since his debut with the classic One-Armed Swordsman, pens the second film for Lau Kar Leung after his directorial debut, Spiritual Boxer. Due to the success of that film and thanks to many years of dedication to the studio, Sir Run Run Shaw gave Kar Leung a little more freedom for his next project (and seemingly from there on in) which is quite evident when watching Challenge Of The Masters. Having been under the constraints of powerhouse director Chang Cheh for many years, you can almost feel the relief on-screen with what Lau delivers – even though he had already made an impression as the co-director of Breakout From Oppression as well as the aforementioned Spiritual Boxer. It's as if Lau had been waiting for his time as a director to unleash so many big ideas and only went from strength to strength from here on in, with Executioners From Shaolin following the year after, before he knocked things up a gear with no less than 3 directed features in 1978 and a further 3 in 1979 – all of which were massive hits for him. By the mid-80s though, the love for traditional kung-fu movies was fading and after directing Jet Li in Shaolin Temple 3: Martial Arts Of Shaolin, Lau turned his talents to more modern action flicks such as Tiger On The Beat 1 & 2, and Aces Go Places 5 as well as working as the action-director on films such as The Dragon Family, The Barefooted Kid, Evil Cat, Operation Scorpio/The Scorpion King, and New Kids In Town with Moon Lee. Lau's return to kung fu would come courtesy of Jackie Chan's fantastic Drunken Master 2, but when things didn't go so well on that project – with creative differences cited as the reason for his departure – Lau set out to make his own sequel of the tale, released as Drunken Master 3 (and a pretty unofficial entry in regards to Jackie Chan's titles). Although it had some star power with Andy Lau, Simon Yam, Gordon Liu, Adam Cheng, and Lau himself, Drunken Master 3 was somewhat of a rushed mess – panned by critics and fans alike, and was most likely the main reason as to why Lau Kar Leung stepped down as a director for almost another decade. In 2003, he bounced back with the fun Drunken Monkey, the film that helped launch Wu Jing's career, before going-on to star in and work the action-choreography for Tsui Hark's underrated Seven Swords. Lau pretty much retired from the industry soon after and passed in 2013 due to cancer, leaving behind a solid piece of cinema history by starring in over 200 features, directing 25, and lending his martial arts talents to just as many as a choreographer...

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In Challenge Of The Masters, Lau tells the tale of a young Wong Fei Hung – a character more often-than-not, portrayed by an older actor such as Kwan Tak Hing or even Ku Feng, who played the him in The Master Of Kung Fu just a few years earlier. The teenage Wong wants nothing more than to learn kung-fu and be accepted by his brothers, although is constantly pressured by the refusal of his father and mocking of those around him. After showing his determination in the town fire-cracker contest, Wong catches the eye of Officer Yuan Ching – a law man who is in search of kung-fu killer and robber Ho Fu, who is in hiding with Master Pang and his school of bullies. Yuan introduces Wong to Master Lu, who has a history with Wong's father, and convinces him to take on the young man as a new pupil. That same night, Officer Yuan faces-off against Ho in a deadly duel that sees him killed when the villain uses a secret weapon. It doesn't take long for Wong Fei Hung to learn of his new friends murder, and quickly finds the inspiration needed to take his kung-fu training seriously so that he can take revenge. But when that time comes about, Wong surprises his enemy with a new level of maturity – offering compassion after displaying his physical skills, and making new friends of old enemies!

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While Challenge Of The Masters may not be bursting at the seams with fight scenes, there are plenty of sparring sequences and kung-fu training to keep viewers happy, not to mention a couple of energetic sporting events such as the 'grabbing of the fire-cracker' akin to the gaming moments in Jackie Chan's Dragon Lord (which were much more exciting in my opinion). With Lau Kar Leung (and Kar Wing) handling the fight choreography, the film boasts two serious fights such as the grand finale that sees Gordon Liu take-on Lau Kar Leung, and the exciting battle between the latter and his younger brother (Lau Kar Wing) which stands as one of my favourite fight scenes of any Lau Kar Leung film. Armed with his broad-sword, Kar Wing faces-off against Kar Leung and his deadly spear – as well as some steel toe-caps on the tips of his boots – in a blisteringly fast and beautifully executed piece of choreography that would rival the final battle of most kung-fu movies that came before it. I'd actually like to think that this was the scene that possibly inspired Lau Kar Wing to direct the wonderful Odd Couple, where he starred alongside Sammo Hung with each using the spear and broad-sword during their battles. The final stand-off between Liu and Lau in the forest, while still great, isn't quite as exciting as the one between the brothers and lasts with Wong showing compassion to his enemy after destroying his leg. It reminded me of the moment when Jet Li's Wong Fei Hung took pity on Hung Yan Yan's Clubfoot character in Once Upon A Time In China 3 – and may have a similar connection, even though each character is named differently. I found it interesting that Lau decided to end Challenge Of The Masters on a rematch of the fire-cracker championships, in a lengthy scene that sees his team make amends with Master Pang's lot, complete with a lesson in good morals and the house of Wong winning over his students. While the ending is nice and finishes it well, I probably would have shifted the forest fight with Lau after the game myself – then ending on the lesson in Wong's home.

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It's safe to say that Lau manages to pull together an amazing cast for his second film – although that statement possibly sits stronger today than in 1976, since we now appreciate the talent and successes of those involved more-so. Aside from the aforementioned Lau Kar Leung and Lau Kar Wing co-starring, Challenges Of The Masters would be the first film to star Gordon Liu in a leading role – and that of the young Wong Fei Hung. Over the 3 years prior, Liu starred as an extra or bit-player in films such as The Hero Of Chiu Chow, Breakout From Oppression (of which he also co-directed), Shaolin Martial Arts, Five Shaolin Masters, The Monk, Marco Polo, Boxer Rebellion, and Seven Man Army. The wonderful Chen Kuan Tai, who had been acting since 1969, ages-up for his role as kung-fu master Lu Ah Tsai and does a great job in doing so. Chen starred in over 40 titles by this stage and made quite the impact with titles such as The Boxer From Shantung, The Water Margin, Four Riders, Heroes Two, The Tea House, The Flying Guillotine, and so much more. Prolific actor Chiang Yang stars as Fei Hung's father, Wong Kay Ying, and kung-fu starlet Lily Lee stars as one of the very few matriarchal characters of the story. Having first made her debut with the Shaw Brothers studio in The Last Woman Of Shang over a decade before, Lee quickly became a popular Hong Kong actress who shared the screen with some of her co-stars in many titles and made quite the impression as a kung-fu performer. Popular actor Cheng Kang Yeh joins the fight for good, as does a young Ricky Hui, and the talented Wong Yu – returning to work with Lau Kar Leung after the hugely successful Spiritual Boxer (although this time playing more of a co-starring role). Aside from the director playing the role of the villain, the rest of the bad guys (as such) are played by the brilliant Fung Hak On, Chiang Tao (Kong Do), and Shih Chung Tien who stars as Master Pang. While Wilson Tong and Eric Tsang also appearances, eagle-eyed viewers can also keep an eye out for future stars like Yuen Biao, Lam Ching Ying, Peter Chan, Billy Chan, Chin Yuet Sang, Danny Chow, Huang Hua, Mang Hoi, Hsiao Hou, and others...

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There's no doubt that Challenge Of The Masters was a very personal project for the Lau brothers, given that both of them were descendants of the real Wong Fei Hung. Of course, I mean in the sense of kung-fu students with the infamous Master Wong teaching butcher Lam Sai Wing - as made famous by Yuen Woo Ping and Sammo Hung in The Magnificent Butcher. Wing went on to teach Lau Jan, father and master to his sons Lau Kar Leung and Lau Kar Wing, thus closing the connection from elder master to students. From its fantastic choreography to its strong morals and fresh approach, Challenge Of The Masters may not be perfect, but it still entertains and shifts the Shaw Brothers studios (of the late 70s) into a whole new direction. Released on Blu-ray as part of the extensive Shaw Scope Vol.1 box set from Arrow Video!

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Overall: While not the greatest title of Lau Kar Leung's filmography, Challenge Of The Masters still entertains on many levels!

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Arrow Video Blu-ray Extras: 2K Restoration, Tony Rayns on Lau Kar Leung, Interview with Gordon Liu and Chen Kuan Tai, Textless Opening, Trailers, Image Gallery

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DVD Extras: Interview with Chen Kuan Tai, Photo Gallery, Textless Opening, Trailers

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Watch my unboxing video of this Arrow Video release HERE

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Buy your copy HERE