7 GRANDMASTERS
(Taiwan 1977)
Original Title: Jue Quan 虎豹龍蛇鷹 (aka) 7 Secret Rivals
Directed by Joseph Kuo Produced by Joseph Kuo Action by Corey Yuen Kwai, Yuen Cheung Yan Starring: Jack Long, Mark Long, Lee Yi Min, Lung Fei, Corey Yuen Kwai, Alan Chui Chung San, Chin Yuet Sang, Nancy Yen Nan Hsi, Cheung Ching Fung, Lee Yan Wa, Li Hsiao Fei Reviewing: Eureka Video UK Blu-ray Release Genres: Traditional Kung-Fu / Comedy
Rating: 4.5 / 5
Eureka Video UK Blu-ray Synopsis: In The 7 Grandmasters, Jack Long plays a kung fu master who is challenged to defeat a series of opponents – all masters of different styles of martial arts – before he can declare himself a true grandmaster. (89 Mins)
Eastern Heroes UK DVD Synopsis: Martial arts supremo, Jack Long demonstrates his superb Kung Fu skills as he seeks out worthy opponents to prove to himself that he is still the Grand Master of China before he retires. Veteran fight choreographer and actor Yuen Kwai's fast paced action, ensures the movie is five star rated. Proving without a doubt why he is fast becoming one of the top Action Directors in the West having worked with Jet Li on “Romeo Must Die”. (89 Mins)
Views: Before Eureka Video did the world a favour and released this classic restored on Blu-ray (as part of their Joseph Kuo Collection with Cinematic Vengeance), the only copy I had of 7 Grandmasters was a poor DVD release by Eastern Heroes. Honestly, there are better quality versions on YouTube than what the DVD release offered, which seems like it was ripped from an old video. Thankfully that is no longer the case, and much respect has been put upon this release which gave me the best watch of the film to date. The fantastic Joseph Kuo, of whom I am a huge fan, directs this incredible kung-fu comedy filled with outstanding fights choreographed by the legendary Corey Yuen Kwai and Yuen Cheung Yan. Of course, this is only made better by the crème-de-la-crème of classic kung-fu cinema who are led by the incredible Long brothers that rarely fail to impress!
Having been sent a plaque from the Emperor claiming him the title of World Kung-Fu Champion, master Jack Long embarks on a journey across China to challenge the finest fighters, just to make sure he is worthy of such a title before he retires. This is brought about after he receives a mysterious letter. There's nothing nasty in what he's doing – he's a very modest guy – but when you've got to confirm some thing's in life, you just have to do whatever it takes. With his posse alongside him (which includes his brother Mark), Jack's first challenge is with renowned kung-fu master Sha, played by the wonderful Lung Fei – star of over 170 films, many of which were with Jimmy Wang Yu such as One Armed Boxer 1 & 2, Beach Of The War Gods, Seaman No.7, Return Of The Chinese Boxer, and many other kung-fu classics. Without seriously injuring Sha, Long proves the winner and leaves the scene after thanking him for his time, but in a strange turn of events that night, Sha is found dead with master Long's trademark move as the main cause of his death. This seems to continue with his challengers, as he crosses the land meeting the titular grandmasters for a friendly duel. As they move across the country, a young Lee Yi Min latches on – convinced to follow master Long by a mysterious old man. Lee hopes that Long will take him as his student so that he may learn kung-fu and take revenge for his fathers murder. Although his other students are reluctant to let him join the party, Lee persists and keeps trying to prove himself, even though he is constantly treated like crap and verbally abused by them. After falling ill, Lee helps to nurse master Long back to health before going-on to save him from an attack at their inn. This lets master Long see Lee Yi Min's dedication and, after answering a simple question about the master's last fight, Lee finally secures his spot as a respected disciple of the group. As more fights against other kung-fu masters and training sessions follow, the grand finale of 7 Grandmasters boils-down to the clichéd 'master-versus-student' showdown as Lee is tricked into believing that it was his new master who killed his father (Lung Fei) in their past duel.
It's without a doubt that Jack Long is one of the most amazing martial artists ever committed to film. His moves, on-screen presence, and acting are always in top form – as is his brother Mark. Although Jack leads the way, both siblings get to show their stuff many times. As expected, Lee Yi Min carries most of the humour seen throughout 7 Grandmasters. Thankfully though, experienced director Joseph Kuo doesn't let it get too silly and sticks to the films serious plot without ruining things. Although I've never really been the biggest fan of the star, whose career spanned two decades in the film industry, I wouldn't say no to watching one of his flicks – many of which ranged from titles with the Shaw Brothers studios to those directed by Joseph Kuo, and other Taiwanese independent flicks. I would say that this film probably allowed him to show off some of his finest moves, with the added advantage of working alongside his old Peking Opera schoolmate (Jack Long) when they face-off in the grand finale. This is definitely one of the finest fights of the film with both stars joined by the great Alan Chui, and each of them showing some incredible moves and kung-fu skills – brought to life by the wonderful Corey Yuen Kwai and Yuen Cheung Yan who grace the film with a host of memorable battles. The majority of these are spread over Long's battles with the grandmasters with popular actor Mao Ching Shun following Lung Fei. Having starred in almost 190 films over the course of a decade, Mao became a recognisable face to fans having appeared in films such as Shaolin Death Squads, To Kill With Intrigue, Militant Eagle, Snake & Crane Arts Of Shaolin, A Massacre Survivor, Of Cooks And Kung Fu, and many more. The third master is played by the wonderful Chin Yuet Sang, a Hong Kong star often referred to as the Sleeping Wizard after his role in the fantastic Last Hurrah For Chivalry. Although he starred in in many kung-fu classics over the years, Chin joined forces with Sammo Hung just after 7 Grandmasters and went onto appear alongside him from The Iron Fisted Monk to Warriors Two, Prodigal Son, The Dead & The Deadly, and more. Lee Hang, who starred as a young extra in many Shaw Brothers flicks from the late 60s, plays Jack Long's fourth challenger. Hang would grow as an actor with the studio right through to the early 80s before going onto star in modern action flicks such as Return Engagement, Kung Fu Vs Acrobatic, Look Out Officer, King Of Beggars, and Last Hero In China. The 5th grandmaster is played by the awesome Corey Yuen Kwai – one of the film's aforementioned action-choreographers. This would be only 1 of 16 films that Yuen Kwai would star in that year, although only 1 of 4 that he would work on as a choreographer – but is definitely one of my favourite fights of the film that displays some incredible weapons work and physical skills. I'm not 100% on who the star is that plays the sixth fighter against Long – then lesser known actor Li Hsin Hua comes in as the final grandmaster Chao Lung. Starting his film career in Hou Cheng's crazy 13 Worms, Li's filmography plays a little more sparse than the rest with just over 20 films in 10 years including titles such as Chinese Kung Fu, Shaolin Kung Fu Mystagogue, Invincible Swordswoman, and Eunuch Of The Western Palace – which would be his last film to date...
It's safe to say that 7 Grandmasters wastes no time at all in getting into the action, with 3 of Jack Long's challengers beaten by the 15 minute mark. And although it takes a good 30 minutes or more for the rest to follow, viewers are kept entertained with the introduction of Lee Yi Min's young scamp, as well as some strong character development, revealing flashbacks, and an assassination attempt at the inn. The film is backed throughout by a memorable score from Stanley Chow Fook Leung – a producer and musician who has scored almost 230 films in his time, and offers minimal training sequences which is rare for a kung-fu film of this era. 7 Grandmasters may not win any prizes for its basic storyline or technical offerings, but it definitely shines as one of kung-fu cinema's finest that is bursting with energy and amazing kung-fu talent!
Overall: While cliched in many ways, 7 Grandmasters is an exciting kung-fu classic and one of Joseph Kuo's best films!
Eureka Video Blu-ray Extras: Audio Commentary with Frank Djeng and Michael Worth
Eastern Heroes DVD Extras: Trailer
Watch my unboxing video of this Eureka Video release HERE
Buy your copy HERE
