Hand of Death (1976)
How does this sound? A movie, directed by John Woo, with Jackie Chan, Sammo Hung, James Tien, and Dorian Tan Tao-Liang. Sound interesting? Well good, because it is an interesting, exciting, and incredibly entertaining kung fu movie. Maybe not the kind of film you’d expect from John Woo, it is a fairly straightforward kung fu movie, but it is more than above average for the era. It is also not what most people would expect from Jackie Chan, because it is not a comedy, and his role is very serious, but he’s not the star, and he does a pretty good job with what is nothing more than a supporting role. The real star is Dorian Tan and he does a fine job carrying the picture, plus Tan is a great martial artist, and he is one of the best leg fighters ever to be captured on film.
The story opens with the brutal slaughter of a group of Shaolin monks, initiated by a traitor played by James Tien, and aided by a cold-blooded Manchu played by Sammo Hung. Flash Legs Tan Tao-Liang is sent to exact revenge against Tien, along the way, Jackie Chan joins him, and they team up to help a scholar escape from James Tien’s wrath (the scholar is actually played by John Woo himself).
Action packed, fight filled, and loaded with the kind of little touches that one might expect from Mr. Woo. Not to mention a rousing musical score by Joseph Koo that will get stuck in your head. Hand of Death is a fine example of a great kung fu movie.
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