While The Shaw Bros.' 1978 movie Shaolin Hand Lock (original title: Shi zi mo hou shou) follows the typical 'student seeks vengeance for master's murder' plotline that powered countless martial arts films, two things set it apart from the pack. It featured David Chiang – one of Hong Kong's most durable action stars – in the lead role, and action sequences from famed kung fu choreographer Tong Gaai, who later directed the underrated Opium and the Kung Fu Master.
FUNimation is now distributing Shaolin Hand Lock in North America, giving chop-socky fans the chance to discover this flick on DVD.
FUNimation Distributes The Shaw Bros.' Shaolin Hand Lock, Starring David Chiang
When his father and martial arts instructor (To Lung) is assassinated by a former friend, Li Cheng-Ying (David Chiang) vows revenge. Traveling to Thailand in search of the villainous Ling Hao (Lo Lieh, racking up yet another movie as the #1 baddie), Li infiltrates Ling's household as a guard. There, the young Li must not only figure out a way to take revenge for his father's death, but also outwit Ling's chief muscle (Michael Chan).
While former stuntman Chiang possessed solid acting chops and charisma to burn, he didn't have the martial arts skills of Shaw Bros. stablemates like Ti Lung (Opium and the Kung Fu Master) or Lo Mang (Five Deadly Venoms). Therefore, a lot of his movies featured 'gimmick moves' such as the eponymous hand lock, which took advantage of Chiang's physicality while disguising his lack of formal kung fu training.
To compensate for this, choreographer Tong Gaai added several exotic weapons (such as a pair of hidden knives that are attached to a villain's elbows) plus some non-martial arts action sequences, including several motorbike stunts and a speedboat chase. However, Chiang's lack of kung fu training becomes unfortunately clear in a sequence where David Chiang takes on Shaw Bros' veteran Michael Chan, whose brooding take on the top thug at times threatens to steal the film from the main stars.
The one oddity in this film is the surprising addition of a full-frontal nude scene in a sequence featuring a minor baddie and a prostitute. While the hooker's presence in the sequence becomes important later on (thanks to an appearance by the Amazing Coincidental Machine™), there's no need for the nudity.
Shaolin Hand Lock DVD Extras
My name is Li Cheng-ying. You killed my father. Prepare to die.
Shaolin Hand Lock: Lame Plot, Imaginative and Brutal Fight Scenes
While the recycled plot, plus numerous appearances from the Amazing Coincidental Machine™, take this film down several notches, martial arts fans will enjoy Ton Gaai's creative choreography and Chiang's sturdy, charismatic performance in Shaolin Hand Lock. Overall, this film has more right than wrong with it, which is why it gets a 3/5.
Dominic von Riedemann - Dominic is the Animated Film Feature Writer, and winner of 11 Suite 101 Editors' Choice Awards.
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