5 Fingers of Death (Tian xia di yi quan) (1972)
-
80% of critics liked it
(5 reviews) -
66% of users liked it
(4,635 ratings)
One of the Shaw Brothers Studios most well-known films, King Boxer was an international success that helped instigate the kung fu craze of the '70s. It opens with an old master (Wen Chung Ku) attacked in an alley. He fends off the fighters, but decides he isn't strong enough to travel to a… More One of the Shaw Brothers Studios most well-known films, King Boxer was an international success that helped instigate the kung fu craze of the '70s. It opens with an old master (Wen Chung Ku) attacked in an alley. He fends off the fighters, but decides he isn't strong enough to travel to a martial arts school to learn the Iron Fist (also called Iron Palm) fighting technique. He sends his pupil and son-in-law Chao Chi-Hao (Lo Lieh) instead. When Chao arrives at the school, he finds the students and teachers in preparation for the All China Tournament. They fear that if their archrivals win the competition they will rule with cruelty. Chao, the clumsy rookie, must start at the lowest rung of the school's ladder and work his way up. Meanwhile Ming Dung Shun (Tin Fung), master of the "bad" school has hired Chen Lang (Gam Hei Chu), a tough mercenary, and two Japanese ronins to kill or maim the "good" school's best fighters. In one of these fights Chao's hands are broken and it seems as if he will not be able to fight again. Chao redoubles his efforts to overcome his injury and learn the Iron Fist technique. Mastery of the technique is indicated by a "whooo-hee whooo-hee" sound effect and a quick zoom to the fighter's glowing hands. Chao's old master is also attacked and killed by these fighters and his daughter/Chao's girlfriend Yin Yin (Ping Wang) flees to tell him the bad news. Chao fights his way to the All China Tournament, and prepares to take on Ming Dung Shun and his cohorts. In the United State, the film is more commonly known as Five Fingers of Death, the more exploitative title given to it by Warner Brothers. ~ Michael Buening, Rovi
- Directed By
- Chang-hwa Jeong, Chung Chang-whu
- Written By
- Yang Chiang, Lieh Lo
- Genres
- Drama, Action & Adventure, Romance, Art House & International
R,
- In Theaters
- Jan 1, 2003 Wide
- Studio
- Warner Bros. Pictures
Critic Reviews
-
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
Despite the convoluted plot and large tapestry of characters, the film is packed with amazing moments, crisply shot and edited.
-
Bill Gibron, PopMatters
Playing like a Sino-Spaghetti Western (complete with bountiful bloodshed and gore), King Boxer (Five Fingers of Death) is a remarkable movie.
-
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Helped bring on the kung fu craze of the '70s.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
Featured Audience Ratings
Currently unavailable on Flixster
Also available on
Other Retailers
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Subscription Services
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Cast
-
Lieh Lo
as Chao Chi-hao
- Fei Meng
-
Hsiung Chao
as Okada
-
Nan-Kung Hsun
as Han Lung
- Yasuka Kurata
-
Tung Lin
as Meng Tien-hsiun
-
Ping Wang
as Sung Ying Ying
-
Wang Ching-Feng
as Yen
-
Feng Tien
as Meng
- Chin-Feng Wang
- Mien Fang
- Min Fong
- Chiao Hsiung
- Gam Kei-chu
- Kung-Hsun Nan
- Fang Tien
- James Nam
