Blu-ray Synopsis: In The Beijing Uprising, the godfather of kung fu film, Chang Cheh, tells a lavishly staged war story of disappointment and revenge with the help of the internationally acclaimed cast around Alexander Fu Sheng and Wang Lung Wei. The Boxer Rebellion was one of the most incredible events in China in long history. Angered by the interference of Western powers in their country, the masses trust the rioters' claims that they have developed bulletproof kung fu. The reality of firearms is catching up with them. There is a mass murder of the Boxer revolutionaries. Although Beijing will soon be occupied, the heroes do not give up... (143 Mins)

 

Views: Chang Cheh's sprawling epic is a historical drama based on real events – albeit with some artistic licensing, of course. Boxer Rebellion tells the story of the uprising of Chinese nationals who fought against the the threat of foreign rule, and the forced ways of the Christian church at the turn of the 20th Century. While there is certainly less fact and more fiction for the sake of entertainment, the film still delivers a strong story at a good pace with plenty of kung-fu action, and a strong cast to back it, seeing the events right through to the flight of the Empress Dowager when she abandoned Peking for Xi'an in the summer of 1900. While the British were part of this attack on China, it seems their role here was watered down somewhat – perhaps due to the fact that Hong Kong was still under British rule when the film was made, and in turn kept the Shaw Brothers studios out of trouble – with the Germans, Americans, Russians and Japanese shown as the main villains of the piece. Although sold as a kung-fu movie Boxer Rebellion plays more like a historical docu-drama at times, with black and white photographs of the actual events popping up every so often – some of which are actually quite harrowing and mirror the on-screen violence that was typical of Chang Cheh during this period!

 

The heroes of the hour are played by Alexander Fu Sheng, Chi Kuan Chun, and Leung Kar Yan – all of whom are as impressive as each other and look great in their roles. I've often mentioned that I'm not the biggest fan of Fu Sheng's, although its fair to say that the actor was undeniably charming and a bit more athletic here than usual while delivering a memorable performance as young cheeky hero who fights for his friends and country. Although he has often been referred to as the original 'clown prince of kung-fu' before Jackie Chan owned that title, I more often than not just found him to be irritating and annoying as opposed to funny – something that Jackie could deliver naturally for the most part. Still, I can't deny that over the last year or two with more and more Shaw Brothers titles hitting Blu-ray in their restored-original versions, I am growing to like Fu Sheng more and more each day. Boxer Rebellion would be the sixth feature kung-fu star Chi Kuan Chun would co-star in with Alexander, since his debut in 1974. In only 2 years, the pair would star in Chang's classics such as Men From The Monastery, Shaolin Martial Arts, Five Shaolin Masters, Disciples Of Shaolin, Marco Polo, and this. Of course, this wouldn't be the last of them with the pair going on to star in a number of other Shaw Brothers titles before Kuan Chun broke off from the studio at the end of '77. The incredible Leung Kar Yan joined the pair when he made his debut in Cheh's brilliant Shaolin Martial Arts, quickly following that with a role in Five Shaolin Masters and Marco Polo before going down a similar path to Chi Kuan Chun. As luck would have it, and only a couple of years later, Leung would have the privilege of joining Sammo Hung in a number of his productions where he would quickly excel to become one of kung-fu cinemas most recognisable faces. While the latter doesn't get to hang around for the grand finale, each of the stars get the chance to show off some fantastic kung-fu skills and all look great doing it. The brilliant Johnny Wang Lung Wei plays one of the main villains of the piece, who tricks his army of followers into believing that they have bulletproof skin – a gimmick seen in many Hong Kong movies over the years from Legendary Weapons Of China to Once Upon A Time In China 2. In essence, his character is just a coward and often takes credit for kills that were down by others; eventually proving his worth when he has to go up against Chi Kuan Chun towards the end. Another notable villain is that of General Waldersee who is played by Richard Harrison, the infamous IFD Films ninja and star of many 70s Italian sword and sandals movies. While he doesn't have as huge a part here like he would in the Godfrey Ho movies, he still makes an impression as the German general and gets to trade a few moves with Chi Kuan Chun and Fu Sheng in a short bout. Eagle-eyed fans should also keep an eye out for popular Venom, Philip Ko, who appears in a couple of minor roles throughout along with a young Gordon Liu, Jamie Luk, Chiang Tao, Stephen Yip, Fung Hak On, and Bruce Tong Yim Chan who gets a bit more to do before he faces-off against a red-hot Gatling gun.

 

The lively action scenes are handled by the legendary Lau Kar Leung, the who went onto take control of the Shaw Brothers studios after bringing Chang Cheh back down to earth with a bump. Lau had been directing the action for Chang since the mid 60s (often alongside Tong Gaai) and Boxer Rebellion would be his last. Having made his impressive directional debut just the year before with The Spiritual Boxer (not to mention co-directing Breakout From Oppression with Gordon Liu in 1973), Lau Kar Leung gave his old boss something to worry about when he directed Challenge Of The Masters around the same time as choreographing this. From there, Lau went on to deliver some of Hong Kong cinemas finest ever films – directing 25 in total, choreographing over 170, and starring in well over 200 until his passing in June of 2013. Although it boasts a cast of thousands and features many grand scenes of battle, Boxer Rebellion still offers enough great kung-fu action that will keep any fan of the Shaw Brothers or old-school Hong Kong cinema, more than happy. While typically Shaw's in its look and style, the film is still one of their many enjoyable titles that manages to highlight the horrors of war and skills of it's 3 young stars...

 

Overall: Beautifully scored and typical of the Shaw Brothers studio, Boxer Rebellion is another epic from Chang Cheh that is worth the watch!

 

Blu-ray Extras: Trailers, Photo Gallery