THE ART OF WAR BY SUN TZU
(Taiwan 1979)
Original Title: Sun Bin Xa Shan Dou Pang Juan 孫臏下山鬥龐涓 (aka) Sun Tzu's Art Of War; Challenge Of The Invincibles
Directed by King Weng Produced by King Weng Action by Chen Hsin-I Starring: Yuen Hua, Eddy Ko, Wong Ling, Chang Fu Chien Lui Wan Biu, Wei Ping Ao, Wang Li Reviewing: YouTube Release Genres: Traditional Kung-Fu / Drama / Historical
Rating: 3 / 5
Synopsis: Excellent martial arts film depicts the exploits of the legendary Chinese scholar, Sun Tzu, the author of the world renowned book, “The Art of War by Sun Tzu” This film adaptation is filled with great fight scenes and battle stratagems. (88 Mins)
Views: This late 70's kung-fu comedy (and I use that description sparingly), opens on a riverside beach with the five main characters gathered – seemingly to take the piss out of their bumbling friend, Lui Wan Biu. As he begins his antics, Lui is backed-up by a music track that bears an uncanny resemblance to the 1968 hit, Lazy Sunday by The Small Faces. Among these five are Yuen Hua (playing the titular Sun Tzu), Eddy Ko, Chang Fu Chien, and Wong Ling who all have the same master, played by Wei Ping Ao from Bruce Lee's Way Of The Dragon, Fist Of Fury, and many more. The Art Of War By Sun Tzu quickly falls into generic-plot territory with a crazy old master, random training sequences, double-crossing students, and nonsensical comedy situations that really offers nothing new to fan's of old-school classics...
The real action kicks-in around the 25 minute mark, with students Yuen Hua and Eddy Ko leaving their master to go their own ways. From here, the film expands somewhat in cast and scale allowing for a bit more story after Eddy Ko saves a young King from an assassination attempt. To reward him for his efforts, the King makes Ko a general – a job that the fighter quickly accepts. As 3 years pass, Ko's student brothers and sister come to visit, causing trouble on arrival and soon finding him, with Yuen Hua following soon after. Offered jobs under the King, Yuen and company are soon put in charge of creating and building an all female army. It's a bizarre scene as the uniformed women refuse to listen to him, but after Hua orders two of them to be killed – with their heads coming back on a tray – everyone starts to take notice. His decision makes Ko uneasy – something that mirrors an action that Ko did in front of Hua, earlier. For a moment, it makes you question just who-of-the-two may cross into the dark-side, but within minutes all is quickly confirmed as Eddy tries to drug his 'sister' in an attempted rape. Her rescue, by the two younger brothers, results in Chang Fu Chien losing both his eyes, with Lui and Wong Ling escaping. Later on, as his jealousy gets the better of him, Ko traps brother Hua in the dungeon when he attacks and destroys his legs – putting him in a cell with the blinded Chang. After escaping, the pair come across an abandoned house and soon find Lui and Wong in a fun scene that touches on the horror theme, although without getting ridiculous. It all leads to an impressive and fun showdown, as the team pull together to defeat Ko with the help of an old book left by their master!
Actor, fight-director, and Lam Ching Ying look-a-like Chen Hsin-I, looks after the kung-fu choreography, delivering plenty of fun fights through-out. While nothing stands-out in particular, the choreography still proves to entertain, especially when Eddy Ko and Yuen Hua are in action. Chen will be a familiar face to fans of old-school classics, starring in films such as One Armed Boxer, To Kill With Intrigue, Lady Constables, Snake And Crane Arts Of Shaolin, and much more. As a choreographer, Chen has put his skills to use on the likes of Marco Polo, Shaolin Avengers, Killer Meteors, To Kill With Intrigue, and Filthy Guy, as well as directing the Bruceplotation flick, The True Game Of Death – made the same year as this. Director King Weng (also known as Kuang Hui) directed 14 films over the course of his decade in the industry with The Filthy Guy starring Sammo Hung, being the only other one I've seen. And while The Art Of War By Sun Tzu may be a case of the same old, Weng delivers a neatly directed feature with plenty of colour through sets and costumes, crazy characters, and crisp cinematography courtesy of Li Shih Chieh – DOP and cinematographer of many great titles such as Jimmy Wang Yu's One Armed Against The Nine Killers, John Liu's Mars Villa, The Dynamite Trio, and modern films like The Chinese Ghostbuster with Lam Ching Ying and Wu Ma, and the low-budget Tiger Angels with Cynthia Khan and Yukari Oshima.
I think the biggest disappointment is that the actual Art Of War is hardly touched upon overall. Rather than a war-themed ending with armies battling, King Weng opts for a typical fighters vs villain showdown that sees Ko fall victim to his own trap – closing things with a couple of lines of dialogue over the end credits that explain what Sun Tzu went on to do. With that in mind, the film is probably better suited to it's alternate title, Challenge Of The Invincibles, and shouldn't be seen for anyone looking for a film based on war strategies and battles!
Overall: Far from dreadful, The Art Of War By Sun Tzu is an enjoyable kung-fu flick with some silly moments, but plenty of decent fight-action!
