The Leg Fighters (1980) User Reviews

Good training film..., one of Tan's best.

[KingLouie · 7/10 · 6 December 1999]

I've seen maybe 3 or 4 of Tan's movies in the distant past. I think this one was one of the better ones. Not to say any of the others were bad, it's just that this one stands out in my mind. The plot is standard fare, but plausible. Basically, Tan, a top student at one school has a run-in with an up-and-coming hotshot from another school is anxious to test his skills. One thing leads to another and the kid gets killed. His older brother of course is not happy and wants to get kill Tan and anyone associated with him and so sets off hunting Tan down.

The movie itself has good choreography, and you get to see Tans "toe-work" on display. Which is basically the high-light of any of his films. After watching this one, you'll be wanting to go out and try your "leg skills". There is some use of wires, but not over-done, and the combat is mostly grounded, meaning, not a lot of "flying & swooping" out of the sky like some flicks. And all scenes are during the daytime. It's hard to find information on Tan and his movies. But if you can get your hands on this one, do so. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

kicks miss by a foot

[ckormos1 · 5/10 · 15 December 2016]

It opens with various demonstrations. The narrator explains, with helpful text, about leg fighting. Dorian Tan is stabbed in the knee but still defeats his ruthless challenger. White eyebrows seeks revenge. Cut to our girl, Ha Kwong-Li, in a comedic training sequence. The master gives her and the guy strict orders before he leaves. Their plan is to fight and become famous. After some fun, Dorian steps in as the new master and he is no fun. Our two then beat up some guy selling bells for some reason that I missed. The girl is assigned yet another master and becomes more spoiled and stubborn. Bell guy returns with friends for a rematch. Did he say"Ding Dong Style"? There's another style to add to the list! Dorian enters to save them. The possibility of rape makes the girl change her attitude. Finally the bad guy returns for the final fight.

Ha Kwong-Li acted in about 14 movies. I first noticed her as the girl kidnapped in "Shaolin Invincible Sticks". She had the lead in 1980 "The Woman Avenger". Her next two movies were too embarrassing to mention.

The comedy is dependent on how funny you think falling down, losing your pants, and making faces can be. It fell short of more sophisticated comedy such as a pie in the face.

I can only guess they did not have enough film for a second take? Maybe the director just didn't know how to angle the shot? What's the point of all these kicks that miss so clearly? The fatal flaw in this movie is quite obvious.

Surprisingly good plot but lacks realism in terms of fighting.

[Space_Mafune · 5/10 · 25 June 2006]

Tan, said to be the best Chinese Kung Fu fighter from the North, accidentally kills a challenger using his lethal kicks as a form of self-defense against an attacker with murderous intentions. Shortly thereafter, he is contacted by the lord of a noble house to train his mischievous, bratty daughter and her somewhat foolish servant friend. Meanwhile, the brother of the man Tan accidentally killed is searching for him determined to gain revenge, brutally attacking any and all who oppose him along the way.

This film mostly teaches the benefits of and the values learned from the hard work that goes into proper Kung Fu training. It uses the example of the stubborn daughter and her dim-witted servant to get across the type of trouble one not knowing proper Kung Fu can get himself or herself into. It all remains in good fun for the most part and, while the comic-relief servant does tend to become rather annoying, it ultimately does teach viewers a valuable lesson. It's only when the brother seeking vengeance becomes a focus of the plot late in the film that things take on a more serious, bloody tone.

The problem with the latter-half of the film is it's much too obvious in most scenes that blows are not actually landed and therefore the film lacks the necessary illusion of realism when it comes time for the climactic showdown.

The usual kung fu actioner, likable enough to succeed

[Leofwine_draca · 6/10 · 17 May 2017]

THE LEG FIGHTERS is a stock Taiwanese martial arts flick, made by the regular (and reliable) director Lee Tso Nam. The film features the high-kicking Flash Legs Tan in a starring role as a top fighter employed to teach the wayward daughter of a rich nobleman some self-defence skills. Unfortunately a vengeful white-haired master is also on his tail, which leads to a predictable but nonetheless exciting climax. Made in a post-DRUNKEN MASTER world, THE LEG FIGHTERS concentrates on offering lowbrow comedy and plenty of training scenes; it's likable enough production and the actress playing Phoenix is particularly engaging in her part. Overall it's a fresh-feeling if familiar kung fu story, and one that's tough to dislike too much.

Missed em by that much

[dbborroughs · 4/10 · 28 August 2006]

Yet another revenge tale with humor about a no good nick who challenges his rival and is killed. The no good nick's family vows revenge.

Silly Kung Fu movie ruined by the complete lack of contact in the fight scenes. Yea I know its faked but I don't need to see how far away the blows are when they are not landing. It becomes ridiculous when people die without ever being hit. Still if you like this sort of silliness its worth a shot, but its not something that you really need to see. I'd wait for this to play on a Kung Fu Theater show on cable.

4 out of 10 due to the poor fight photography and really bad dubbing (even by Kung Fu standards)