Choi Lee Fut Kung Fu

Cliff Lok stars as a young man who is taken on secretly by a teacher of Choi Lee Fut. Some practicioners have told me that Cliff Lok was not suited for this role and while he is not quite as fluid as some of the greats his form is still terrific and his acrobatics are very good. The movie starts out showing Philip Ko as the evil warlord who takes down a group of rebels and 2 teachers of kung fu survive, one being a monk. Cliff Lok goes to learn from the monk after he has learned all he can from the first teacher. The movie is just above average all the way through with some good comedy. You will recognize the cross-eyed officer form Jackie Chan's 'Young Master'. "Your sword!". He is funny just looking at him. I was rolling on the floor when he had his shirt off and asked Cliff to wipe his sweat off for him.

The best part of the movie is when one of the greatest female fighters ever shows up. Yang Pan Pan just starts tearing up everybody. While the movie is pretty good all the way through, it is not great. Luckily the final fight is outstanding. It starts off with the girl vs.Phillip Ko and then CLiff Lok. Total of about 10 minutes and some great action going on. The end of the fight is billiant. They show the various techniques that Lok is doing subtitled on screen and it is slow-mo for about three minutes. Truly awesome stuff!

Rarescope has given us this movie fully letterboxed and though the picture is faded and there is noticeable damage on the film print it still looks about twice as good as the Groudzero version. The subtitles can be read pretty easily most of the time. The original Mandarin track is the way to go and has GREAT sound quality. The Engish dubbing is fine though the sound quality doesn't compare a lick to the Mandarin.

Special feature included is a Cliff Lok interview and also he is being intervied form the late great director of the movie- Chan Siu-pang. Lok looks amazing even at being at least 50 and gives a very good interview. Rarescope does a good thing in my opinion and has us waiting for part 2 of the interview when they release Lok's 'Best of Shaolin Kung Fu'. I would be lieing if I said I was not ecstatic about that future release.

There is also a small photo gallery form the movie with some black and white pics. There is also the same Rarescope trailers we saw on their first release. I am waiting anyday now to preorder '3 Famous Constables'(which I heard will come out under another name), 'Ninjas in Ancient China', 'and 'Sword of Justice'. Rarescope(BCI) has proven to be one of the best martial arts DVD companies and I eagerly await more and more.

I thought this movie was boring. Not going to go in depth of the synopsis, as morgoth has highlighted that in his review. Yeah there's action and training scenes but the story was weak. I was not the least bit drawn into the movie nor the main lead. Dont get me wrong, Cliff Lok can move and is very agile. I liked the interviews in the extra section more than I liked the movie, if that should tell you something. Even if the picture was better or if the subs were redone and not burnt in, I dont think this movie could have improved. Ko Fei couldn't save this flick for me either. This is among the least of my favorite Rarescope releases.

Choi Lee Fut was released in 1979 and is directed and action choreographed by Chan Siu Pang(Shaolin Death Squad,Interpol, Rivals of the Silver Fox).The cast includes Cliff Lok Kam Tung(Ring of Death,Kung Fu Genius),Phillip Ko Fei(Angel on Fire,Just Heroes,Shaolin Intruders,Loot),Sharon Yeung Pan Pan(Deadly Target,Lion Vs Lion),Lam Kau(Drunken Master,Bells of Death),Chung Wing(Protector,Lady Assassin)

Phillip Ko is once again the villain.He is ruthless,shows no mercy,kills his opponents,has a long braid that he uses on his victims to choke them.