4 Star

In Beauty There is Treachery.

Eureka brings us what some might say is a controversial film adaptation of Louis Cha Leung-yung‘s (Sakra, Swordsman (TV Series)) (better known by his pen name Jin Yong) novel The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber. Despite the adaption, what we have here is an hour-and-a half of Sammo Hung (Warriors Two & The Prodigal Son, The Millionaires Express) choreography, acted out by the amazing Jet Li (Once Upon A Time In China Trilogy, HEROES & VILLAINS) in this 1993 Hong Kong wuxia film. There are martial arts, sword fighting and fantastical flying fights. Although there was a planned sequel, it was never made due to its performance at the box-office, but all in all this film is great fun.

The Heavenly Reliant Sword and the Dragon Slayer Sabre are the focus of all who take martial arts. It is fabled that who ever owns both will rule the world of martial arts. The Dragon Slayer Sabre is hidden away by the Golden Haired Lion King, and the owners of the Heavenly Reliant Sword want to know where they can get their hands on it. The Young Mo-gei’s parents are the only ones that know where he is. Due to their loyalty, they commit suicide rather than reveal the whereabouts of the Golden Haired Lion King. The young Mo-gei had earlier been injured by those against the Lion King, this injury would be fatal, had it not been for the benevolence of Chang San Fung (Sammo Kam-Bo Hung, Angela Mao: Hapkido & Lady Whirlwind, KNOCKABOUT) who uses his inner powers to keep Mo-gei’s poison at bay.

Mo-gei remember all their faces. You have to avenge your father.

You are the only one now.

Now Mo-gei (Jet Li) is all grown up and the butt of all the jokes in the martial arts school. Because of his condition he has not learned any martial arts and is still looked after by Fung. He tells him that his condition could have been cured by Fo Gung Tau To’s “Nine Yang Divine Stance”, but he had jumped off the nearby cliff many years ago.

Scheming people at the school lead to Mo-gei and new friend Tsu Chu (Chingmy Yau, City Hunter, THE ROYAL TRAMP COLLECTION) being forced off the same cliff as Fo Gung Tau To. They survive the fall, but now Mo-Gei is cut off from his healer. How will he survive, and how can he enact his revenge on the people that caused his parents deaths?

KUNG FU CULT MASTER, is a cult fantasy martial arts film, and well deserves a watch, with amazing choreographed fight scenes, as the actors and actress’ fly through the air with the greatest of ease. Although this film was never finalized, it did inspire two modern day (2022) sequels.

KUNG FU CULT MASTER (Eureka Classics) Special Edition is available on Blu-ray

 

SPECIAL BLU-RAY EDITION FEATURES:

Limited Edition O-Card slipcase featuring new artwork by Darren Wheeling | 1080p HD presentation on Blu-ray of the original Hong Kong theatrical cut from a new restoration of the original film elements | Original Cantonese mono audio | Optional English dubbed mono audio | Optional English Subtitles | Brand-new feature length audio commentary by Asian film expert Frank Djeng | Archival Interview with Sammo Hung from 2004 by Frédéric Ambroisine | Trailer | PLUS: A Limited Edition collector’s booklet featuring new writing on the film by Simon Abrams