Executioners From Shaolin (1977)

October 21, 2015

Executioners From Shaolin (Hong Xi Guan original title) is the story of the aftermath of the destruction of the Shaolin Temple by the Qing government.  Master Pai Mei has murdered the master of a group of students who now want revenge.  If you are new to the Wuxia genre or just martial arts genre in general the destruction of the Shaolin Temple is said to be the one event that helped spread Shaolin Kung Fu throughout China.  After fleeing the destruction Hong Xi Guan and his brothers hide as Opera performers living in red boats.  Together they help any peasant uprising in hopes of taking revenge against the Qing Government and Master Pai Mei.

Executioners From Shaolin is you typical revenge plot, however it is considered a classic martial arts film to many.  I certainly found it enjoyable there is some time given to develop the characters, the time jump sequences are easy to comprehend, the action is stunning, and the costumes are modest and seem to fit the time period.

Chiang Tao as Governor Kao Chen Chung

Chen Kuan-Tai (The Water Margin, The Flying Guillotine, 14 Blades, White Vengeance) as Hong Xi Guan he is the main character and takes charge of all the fleeing students.

Lily Li Li-Li (The Web of Death ,The Brave Archer and His Mate, Disciples of the 36th Chamber) as Fang Yung Chun a traveling Kung Fu performer

Lo Lieh (Magnificent Trio, Golden Swallow, The Fourteen Amazons, The One-Armed Swordsmen) as Pai Mei, Master White Brows

Wong Yu (The Spiritual Boxer,  The Flying Guillotine, The 36th Chamber of Shaolin, The 8 Diagram Pole Fighter ) as Hong Wen Ding

Cheng Kang-Yeh (The Magnificent Swordsman, Flying Guillotine, Part II) as Xiao Hu, he is the comic relief, the guy who always has a joke on hand no matter the situation.

Shum Lo (Come Drink with Me, The Magnificent Swordsman, The Fourteen Amazons) as Uncle Fang, Fang Yung’s Uncle

Gordon Liu Chia-Hui (Shaolin Martial Arts, The 36th Chamber of Shaolin, Shaolin vs. WuTang, The 8 Diagram Pole Fighter) as Tong Qianjin, the best death scene of all

Chiang Tao (Five Shaolin Masters, Return to the 36th Chamber ) as Governor Kao Chen Chung

Directed by Lau Kar-leung

Cheng Kang-Yeh as Xiao Hu

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Trivia: Pai Mei, or Bak Mei was a (probably) real life person said to be one of the five people to survive the destruction of Shaolin Temple.  The character was also used in Invincible Kung Fu Brothers (1976), Shaolin Abbot (1979), Clan of the White Lotus (1980), Wu Tang vs. Ninja (1987) and Kill Bill: Vol. 2 (2004).

Gordon Liu Chia-Hui as Tong Qianjin

Lily Li Li-Li as Fang Yung Chun