Bloodtype Online
For the best of the Horror/Cult/Exploitation film experience
Exploitation Cinema Double Feature: Chinese Hercules (1973) / Black Dragon (1974)
Chinese Hercules (1973)
“Chinese Hercules” is the story of Lee Hsi a fighter who at the beginning of the film is shown killing a man during a fight. Lee Hsi accidentally kills the man and vows to never use his hands for fighting ever again. Constantly haunted by this incident, Lee Hsi takes a job working on the dock in a small village where he is completely unknown. The village itself depends on the product brought into the dock simply to live off of and are constantly being held hostage of sort by their evil boss. As a powerful crime boss moves in and takes control things get worse as workers are constantly fighting, being humiliated, and treated inhumanly by the boss to begin with. Now with the new crime lord taking over he unleashes his muscleman (Bolo Yeung) on them which ends up with him breaking their necks and leaving them for dead. So with the new boss coming in and his fellow workers being treated so poorly, Lee Hsi has to find it within himself to fight again for what’s right.
The title of the movie here is a bit misleading as it clearly lends itself to the Bolo Yeung character of Chiang Tai, even though he’s not even in a good portion of the movie. The main character here in reality is the Yeh Fang character of Lee Hsi. But with that being said what you actually get here is a pretty interesting kung fu flick with more action that not. The pacing is solid and the story itself is a great tale of morality mixed in with plenty of martial arts ass kicking action. What you also get is a very strange set of characters fighting including Lee Hsi taking badass beatings and refusing to fight back, Bolo Yeung kicking the ass of guys 150 pounds lighter than him, old men handing out beatings, a lady kung fu artist that can inflict some damage, and fight scenes with tons of people going at it as well.
Overall I really enjoyed “Chinese Hercules” as it was a very well done kung fu movie. It has wonderfully choreographed fight scenes, a good plot, and a great lead character that you can root for, which most of the time is the key to these films. Plus, lets be honest....Bolo Yeung is awesome always makes for a memorable experience in any film he’s in. Recommended.
Rating - ***
Black Dragon (1974)
The second film in out exploitation double feature here is the kung fu flick “Black Dragon”. The film is about a young man named Tai-Lin who is a simple plantation worker. When his brother returns from the Phillippines after finding great wealth after being there. Tai-Lin’s then asks his brother for money so that he can go to the Phillippines to make a life for himself. After giving him the money Tai-Lin makes his way there and finds it much different than what was expected. Opium addicts roam the streets and the only place to work is on the docks and after getting a job there, Tai-Lin is promoted to being one of the guards that protect the docks after getting into a scuffle with them and kicking some serious ass. At the same time there is a group of fighters coming to the dock to fight and take over, which would have been possible until Tai-Lin was there. But why are they attacking the boats in the first place? Are they simply robbers looking for money or is does it end up that Tai-Lin finds their reasoning to be quite the cause himself? Either way it ends up a family affair that Tai-Lin has no choice to take part in and show that he’s the supreme fighter in the country
Very much like the first film on this double feature, the title “Black Dragon” has very little to do with it. Ron Van Chief actually plays the “black boxer” character although he’s billed on the poster as the lead actor. In reality though the lead in the film is Jason Pay Pia playing the character of Tai-Lin. Although it is misleading I have to say that it doesn’t hurt the movie whatsoever. It’s a solid kung fu flick with a really good story that I think that anyone that’s a fan of kung fu flicks will enjoy.
Although the film here is in terrible quality (which adds to the grindhouseyness ) But doesn’t distract too badly from what’s happening in the movie. Solid storyline, good pacing, and awesome fights make this one a winner from beginning to end.
Overall I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND “Black Dragon” to hardcore kung fu movie fans as well as people who just enjoy off the wall old school Hong Kong movie fans as well. Personally I found it to be a boatload of fun and you can’t beat the price on the disc from BCI.
Rating - ***
-Ed Demko
