Kung Fu: David Carradine, Barry Sullivan, Albert Salmi, Wayne Maunder, Benson Fong, Richard Loo, Keye Luke, Philip Ahn, Victor Sen Yung, Robert Ito, James Hong, Radames Pera, Richard L. Rawlings, Jerry Thorpe, John C. Horger, Alex Beaton, Ed Spielman, Howard Friedlander: Amazon.ca: Video

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Snicker if you will, but Kung Fu was one of the most influential TV series of the 1970s, one that managed to inject a note of both spirituality and Eastern religion into the standard Western formula and make it seem new. This was the pilot, an intriguing and scene-setting TV movie in which David Carradine starred as the mysterious Caine--half-white, half-Chinese, reared in a Shaolin monastery in China by blind master Po (Keye Luke), then exiled to America, on the run for killing the men who killed his master. The pilot mixes flashbacks to Caine's youth with a story set in the Old West of Caine battling intolerance as he begins the search for his father. --Marshall Fine

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Customer Reviews

11 Reviews

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
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Average Customer Review

4.5 out of 5 stars (11 customer reviews)

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5.0 out of 5 stars Stands the test of time, Aug 11 2004

By

Blair Hemstock "Ralston McTodd" (Alberta) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)

This review is from: Kung Fu (VHS Tape)

Excellent series still stands up for modern viewing. Still a refreshing take on the "Western" as a concept with some wonderful anti-racism statements. Only one clunker episode in the set: "The Tide," which seems more like a Bonanza script than anything else. High-calibre scripts and direction.

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4.0 out of 5 stars Hope they put the whole series on DVD, Dec 18 2002

By

L. Malone "unamujer" (New Orleans) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)

This review is from: Kung Fu (VHS Tape)

I have loved this series for years. I just love the little thought provoking things that Caine, the main character says. I've watched it since I was a little kid, and when I was in my twenties, it came on at 4 am on a channel once a week so I'd stay awake just to see it. I really hope they put the whole series on DVD. I'd buy it in a minute.

I love the quiet demeanor of Caine. I enjoy his humility and his respectfulness. The Caine character proves that you don't have to be "bad" to be cool. The pilot movie is definitely worth watching.

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4.0 out of 5 stars Unique Western flick., Aug 3 2002

By

Dirk (Warren, Ohio) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Kung Fu (VHS Tape)

This is certainly by no means an all-time favorite movie of mine, but it's an excellent little flick nevertheless -- especially considering that it was made-for-TV, the pilot for the "Kung Fu" TV series. My wife and I just saw it tonight and quite enjoyed it. At a mere 74 minutes, it's short and sweet, kinda the way I wish more movies would be! It's definitely a Western, as it takes place out West in the late 19th century, but it's unique for this genre in that it incorporates Eastern philosophy/wisdom and martial arts -- sorry, no quick-draw shootouts here.

A great scene appears near the beginning wherein Caine walks into a saloon after walking (!!) across a desert to get some water. Naturally some redneck dork wants to start a fight with him 'cause he's one of them "slant-eyes." Three times the guy attempts to attack Caine and three times Caine swiftly and decisively repels the attacks. The guy wisely decides not to attack again as Caine finishes his water and humbly walks out of the saloon leaving the saloon patrons in astonishment.

There's more martial arts action toward the end, but, it should be noted, this is by no means a standard martial arts flick. The movie teaches humility and respect for elders & all fellow human beings.

Despite the fact that they have very little dialogue, Caine develops a close father/son relationship with blind Master Po.

Some scenes have such a reverent and touching quality to them that they actually brought tears to my eyes .

In Brian Garfield's "Western Films" guide he criticized this film as "Juvenile tripe." With all due respect for the brilliant Mr. Garfield, this film is neither juvenile or tripe! As far as Westerns go, it's quite mature and original. Good Eastern-style music too.

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Most recent customer reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Kung Fu: The Movie of Respect
KUNG FU is one of the few movies I have ever seen that has respect for a foundation. It is unfortunate that the martial arts are what viewers most often think of when they... Read more

Published on Jun 19 2002 by Martin Asiner

3.0 out of 5 stars Good Script Makes Up For Bad History...Grasshopper!
Much has been written about the philosophical & moral lessons that can be learned from watching the old "King-Fu" tv series. Read more

Published on Mar 13 2002 by Michael A. Quebec