Eastern Condor

 

 

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As mentioned already, this film is loosely based on the classic American war film The Dirty Dozen, except there's only 10 (i think) individuals and it's a half martial arts (MA), half war movie. Sammo actually lost a lot of weight for this role and he and Yuen Biao were just awesome in this movie. The story is simple, the best prison inmates are given a chance to earn money and freedom should they accomplish a secret mission. They will not know anything about their mission or where they are going until they are at the goal. Sammo is one of the inmates alongside director Yuen Kwai and choreographer Yuen Wo Ping. The latter 2 provide some comedy to the film. The Dirty Pack soon realize that they're in Vietnam to destroy nuclear weapons that the Viet Cong have yet to know about. The premise here is if the Viet Cong find out about it, they'll use it. The rest of the film displays some really cool acrobatic warfare tactics. There is also shooting involved as expected in a war film. Yuen Biao and Sammo showcase some very awesome moves; I'm talking wicked and fast attacks. I must mention that this is the kind of film that builds up to be better; the beginning is not all that impressive, but later on into the movie is great MA. The end fight is as should be the best...wow and ouch...This must be seen because some of the greatest fighters are here doing some great stuff. Yuen Wah is the leader of the Viet Cong platoon out to get the Dirty Pack, and he shows some of his awesome kicking abilities, this guy is so agile and fast. The well known Thai-boxer Billy Chow (the superpowerful general from Fist of Legend) also has a part as once again a bad guy. He has an extremely brutal fight with Sammo that'll make you cringe. Chow and Wah are very highly overlooked. Biao does some crazy moves in the final fight as well...this just has to be seen...this last fight alone surpasses the worth of purchase. I only have 2 complaints: I wanted to see more, the fights here are all classic and awesome, but short. One hard hit and it was over...don't get me wrong, this looks very realistic, but I just wanted to see more of it. Also, Lam Ching Ying did not do any MA at all, and this guy is [amazing], you gotta see him in Prodigal Son. All in all, a very rare and classic HK martial arts/war film. The best version of dvd comes from the Hong Kong Legends distributors. You'll need an all-region dvd player to play their region 2 PAL dvds though, but they are known for remastering video and sound and providing awesome extras in their rereleased HK films. If you can't have the privelege of the dvd player, then stick with the Fox version above because the DTS track rocks. At least check this film out if you don't intend to buy, it's one of a kind. Check out my other MA reviews too, thanks for reading.

A combination of Rambo and The Dirty Dozen, it's a far cry from Hamlet, but if you want to watch some great fight scenes, this film will cater to you needs. Sammo Hung, Yuen Woo Ping, Yuen Biao, Yuen Wah, Lam Ching Ying, and company live up to their collective reputation as some of Hong Kong's best hitters. A company of convicts are offered the chance of a pardon for their crimes if they blow up an American arms stockpile left behind in Vietnam. Needless to say, things get a little violent, nothing goes right, the mission turns into a localized Armegeddon, and more kicks are thrown than in a soccer game. The hand to hand fight at the end between Sammo and Yuen Wah, the perpetual bad guy, is very well done and very authentic. If you can stand the incomprehensible antics between the fights, you'll really enjoy this film.

Cool remake of "The Dirty Dozen". The plot follows a ragtag group of recruits on a mission to destroy a hidden weapons bunker. A fit looking Samo Hung stars and directs this nonstop action movie. Lots of Hong Kong Cinema Superstars; Lam Ching Ying portrays the unit commander. Legend Yuen Woo Ping (Martial Arts Director "Matrix") appears as part of the crew. Dr. Haing S. Ngor, 1984 Best Supporting Actor winner for "The Killing Fields", is rescued from a villiage and joins the team enroute. Mercenary Yuen Biao is recruited at the same time. The guys are paired up with a feminine trio of freedom fighters, including Samo's real life wife Joyce Godenzi. Yuen Wah masters the role of the creepy bad guy and gets to showcase his martial arts skills. Lots of gritty gunbattle scenes and explosions. Superb stuntwork by most of the cast. Fight scenes with some of the best martial arts actors ever. The scene with the young boys directing the Russian Roulette game will haunt you. Samo makes very creative use of the local flora in the jungle fight scene. He also uses slow motion to showcase the moves of the lightning fast Yuen Biao. If you like war movies you will want to own this one. I bought the English dubbed version, but will also be purchasing the subtitled version.

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3.0 out of 5 stars Not a bad movie, but it could have been better
I remember seeing the TV comercials for this movie and thinking wow! Unfortunately, the movie didn't quite live up to expectations. Read more

Published on May 20 2000 by tagonagy@pipeline.com

1.0 out of 5 stars Why One Star
I love this movie and yes I have this copy. The Reason for 1 star is that they cut scenes that made this movie cool. Read more

Published on Feb 29 2000 by roboardy

1.0 out of 5 stars No.
Bad, bad, bad. Lame martial arts. The characters actually shout out "gooks!" at one point in the film. No joke. DON'T buy this.

Published on Oct 5 1999

5.0 out of 5 stars KICK ***! ONE OF SAMMO'S BEST! AWSOME!
DIRTY DOZEN MEETS KUNG-FU. THIS EPIC FILM WILL HAVE ACTION FANS CRAVING FOR MORE. MARTIAL ARTS MAESTRO SAMMO HUNG IS AT HIS BEST IN THIS CLASSIC. Read more

Published on Sep 19 1999 by MobFu0072@aol.com

4.0 out of 5 stars Sammo kicks ass!!!
Even though the film starts relatively slowly (as most Samo Hung films do) once this movie gets going it really never stops until the ultra-violence filled finale! Read more

Published on Jun 30 1999

5.0 out of 5 stars HELL YA! SUPER FAST JAPANESSE FIGHTING ACTION!!!
What it........Love it...............Or I will have you killed :) END OF STORY!

Published on May 10 1999

5.0 out of 5 stars Sammo did it again as usual!! *S*
well, another great sammo flick!!! i think you'll love this hong kong remake of the dirty dozen, its filled with a great cast including yuen biao, yuen wah, and joyce godenzi... Read more

Published on Dec 3 1998

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