the version fo this film i saw suffered from two things: a very poor dub and lack of widescreen. that said, it is one of the best exhibitions of kicking in kung fu film history. if you like that sort of thing then watch it, if not its not worth the effort.
6 Reviews
Early Hwang Jang-Lee effort
jordondave-2808523 April 2023
1981) Hit Man in the Hand of Buddha
DUBBED
MARTIAL ARTS HISTORICAL DRAMA
This review is only intended for readers who don't mind watching the occasional 'chop socky' flick since it's nothing but another cheesy 'retribution' movie. It's always those 'you killed my father, and best friend' therefore you will have to die' and instead of the main bad guy killing the star off, they would always give them a freeing chance, long enough for them to train more and get better just so s/he can get another fighting chance to get even'. There are so many of those movies that recycle this very same premise, that it can get tiring after awhile for the average person. But if you know your chop-socky martial art stars, it's always to ignore the plot and just check out how the fights are like or the comedy routines. Made in 1981, which was during the time when these historical chop-socky movies was beginning to lose it's momentum on it's Chinese audience, the plot device seems to be the same as all the others before it, for instead of the main bad guy attempting to take over many marital art schools, in this one the main baddie would be trying to take control over many rice selling shops. It stars Hwang-Jang Lee, an actual Tai-Kwan Do martial artist, who was synonymous for being the main bad guy for Jackie Chan's first successful movies by the names of "Snake In The Eagle's Shadow" and then "Drunken Master" both movies directed by Yuen Woo-Ping who went on to choreographed the action for "The Matrix" movies. It was those two movies that changed how 'chop socky' movies should be made forever since the hundreds made before it had many fake looking fight scenes with zero acrobatic stunts. Actually, it was "Broken Oath" that really changed the fight genre except that it wasn't funny enough, but the action was still full contact, meaning that they really hit each other. Anyways, anyone who don't know it's history, Hwang Jang Lee was (at that particular time) known as the guy who seriously hurt Jackie Chan by physically hitting him. He complained to Yuen Woo Ping, and as a result hired him again to do another movie since it was so successful. And at that time, Jackie had no power over the movies he was starring in and had to let it slide. He even tried to not have Hwang Jang Lee work in martial art films for as long as he's in the business. Notice, by looking at Jackie Chan's filmography, that those two films that made Jackie famous that he would never worked with neither Yuen Woo Ping and Hwang Jang Lee ever again. Anyways, written and directed by Yun-Kyo Park, the simple-minded plot is as follows, Hwang Jang Lee plays Wong Chin who's visiting his sister and brother-in-law to find some work. Except that his brother-in-law was causing some trouble since the 'rice shop' he was working in wasn't doing well, and was losing a great deal of business to his other competitor, who was offering free draws for each bag of rice that's being sold. And after a few more unfortunate circumstances, Wong chin somehow ended up training with Chinese monks since he had just faced someone who happens to be tougher than him. The next thing you know this very same bad guy who is going around threatening other rice shops for protection money, and so forth, which at the beginning he was only was supposed to be a hired killer. Basically, you're watching this simple-minded movie just for the fights since nothing else works, and let me just say, that although Hwang Jang Lee doesn't star in many good guy roles, I have to say that the fights done on this film are not the best I had seen Hwang Jang Lee had ever done. And although, they're fighting each other in 'full contact', at the same time, much of the fights looked too stiff to actually feel it's authenticity- almost like a very bad sparring partner where one opponent makes one move and is waiting for the guy to respond accordingly or that they're too slow to react- it's sometimes looked really bad. I don't think it's stars fault, I just think he should've gotten someone who's much more experienced in that sort of thing such as Yuen woo Ping who may have parted ways after doing some successful martial art movies with one another.
This review is only intended for readers who don't mind watching the occasional 'chop socky' flick since it's nothing but another cheesy 'retribution' movie. It's always those 'you killed my father, and best friend' therefore you will have to die' and instead of the main bad guy killing the star off, they would always give them a freeing chance, long enough for them to train more and get better just so s/he can get another fighting chance to get even'. There are so many of those movies that recycle this very same premise, that it can get tiring after awhile for the average person. But if you know your chop-socky martial art stars, it's always to ignore the plot and just check out how the fights are like or the comedy routines. Made in 1981, which was during the time when these historical chop-socky movies was beginning to lose it's momentum on it's Chinese audience, the plot device seems to be the same as all the others before it, for instead of the main bad guy attempting to take over many marital art schools, in this one the main baddie would be trying to take control over many rice selling shops. It stars Hwang-Jang Lee, an actual Tai-Kwan Do martial artist, who was synonymous for being the main bad guy for Jackie Chan's first successful movies by the names of "Snake In The Eagle's Shadow" and then "Drunken Master" both movies directed by Yuen Woo-Ping who went on to choreographed the action for "The Matrix" movies. It was those two movies that changed how 'chop socky' movies should be made forever since the hundreds made before it had many fake looking fight scenes with zero acrobatic stunts. Actually, it was "Broken Oath" that really changed the fight genre except that it wasn't funny enough, but the action was still full contact, meaning that they really hit each other. Anyways, anyone who don't know it's history, Hwang Jang Lee was (at that particular time) known as the guy who seriously hurt Jackie Chan by physically hitting him. He complained to Yuen Woo Ping, and as a result hired him again to do another movie since it was so successful. And at that time, Jackie had no power over the movies he was starring in and had to let it slide. He even tried to not have Hwang Jang Lee work in martial art films for as long as he's in the business. Notice, by looking at Jackie Chan's filmography, that those two films that made Jackie famous that he would never worked with neither Yuen Woo Ping and Hwang Jang Lee ever again. Anyways, written and directed by Yun-Kyo Park, the simple-minded plot is as follows, Hwang Jang Lee plays Wong Chin who's visiting his sister and brother-in-law to find some work. Except that his brother-in-law was causing some trouble since the 'rice shop' he was working in wasn't doing well, and was losing a great deal of business to his other competitor, who was offering free draws for each bag of rice that's being sold. And after a few more unfortunate circumstances, Wong chin somehow ended up training with Chinese monks since he had just faced someone who happens to be tougher than him. The next thing you know this very same bad guy who is going around threatening other rice shops for protection money, and so forth, which at the beginning he was only was supposed to be a hired killer. Basically, you're watching this simple-minded movie just for the fights since nothing else works, and let me just say, that although Hwang Jang Lee doesn't star in many good guy roles, I have to say that the fights done on this film are not the best I had seen Hwang Jang Lee had ever done. And although, they're fighting each other in 'full contact', at the same time, much of the fights looked too stiff to actually feel it's authenticity- almost like a very bad sparring partner where one opponent makes one move and is waiting for the guy to respond accordingly or that they're too slow to react- it's sometimes looked really bad. I don't think it's stars fault, I just think he should've gotten someone who's much more experienced in that sort of thing such as Yuen woo Ping who may have parted ways after doing some successful martial art movies with one another.
A real treat for Hwang Jang Lee fans
suzanne-243 August 2003
I recently acquired a DVD of Hitman in the Hand of Buddha. I am impressed with this film for many reasons. The main one being Master Hwang himself. So far he has never failed to impress me with his kicking skills. I find it interesting that he directed and produced it and that he wanted to play a good guy (for a change)! In fact, there are at least 4 films so far where he plays a good guy. I'm sure he wanted to shake off his bad boy image because by all accounts he is a very gracious and gentle man. And you also get to see what he looks like without a moustache. LOL!
The version I have is a special collector's edition DVD and it has two versions of the film: an English dubbed version (89 mins approx.) and a Korean version (81 mins approx.) with some English subtitles. I prefer the Korean version despite the poor quality. It was found in a film vault in Seoul and was edited by Jang Lee. I'm pretty sure that we can hear his own voice on the soundtrack (Korean sounds like a lovely language)and the subtitles are probably truer to interpretation than the English dubbed version.
As for the story itself, I find the pace is fast enough with plenty martial arts mayhem to keep me happy. Perhaps some people want more fighting but I think he does a splendid job. Watch him fighting with chop sticks. You'll never look at another pair of chopsticks in the same way again. The film is a true treat for dedicated fans and a definite must-see.
The version I have is a special collector's edition DVD and it has two versions of the film: an English dubbed version (89 mins approx.) and a Korean version (81 mins approx.) with some English subtitles. I prefer the Korean version despite the poor quality. It was found in a film vault in Seoul and was edited by Jang Lee. I'm pretty sure that we can hear his own voice on the soundtrack (Korean sounds like a lovely language)and the subtitles are probably truer to interpretation than the English dubbed version.
As for the story itself, I find the pace is fast enough with plenty martial arts mayhem to keep me happy. Perhaps some people want more fighting but I think he does a splendid job. Watch him fighting with chop sticks. You'll never look at another pair of chopsticks in the same way again. The film is a true treat for dedicated fans and a definite must-see.
Hwang Jang-lee is the Supreme Bootmaster
AlbertV7926 October 1999
This is one of only two films where Hwang Jang-lee is the good guy and he is impressive in both the beginning and the finale of the film. He clearly shows why he is the best kicker Hong Kong cinema ever experienced. The amazing amount of jumping kicks he throws to his opponents are so amazing for old HK films, you have to see it for yourself. Check this film out for kicking to the max!!!
Hwang Jang the hero
Leofwine_draca25 January 2017
Warning: Spoilers
This is an almost unique film in the kung fu genre, for it stars famed high-kicker Hwang Jang Lee in a role very different from the norm. Jang Lee is normally seen popping up as the master villain at the end of the movie in countless genre films, the most famous of which are the two featuring Jackie Chan, DRUNKEN MASTER and SNAKE IN THE EAGLE'S SHADOW. Anyone who watches the genre regularly will soon recognise the Korean expert thanks to his massively imposing nature and his incredible kicking abilities which are unmatched in cinema.
What a treat, then, for this film to feature Jang Lee as the hero rather than the antagonist. He rarely got the chance to play the good guy - you could count the times he did so on the fingers of one hand - so it's a delight to see him playing the protagonist for a change. Of course, this only happens because he's also directing and producing the picture. In this one, he plays a country bumpkin who arrives in town to meet his sister and her family, only to fall foul of a criminal organisation which makes short work of him. After some time spent training in the Shaolin temple, Jang Lee goes on a vengeful killing spree.
The story is fine and Jang Lee makes for an excellent hero; he's second only to Lo Lieh in terms of my favourite 'underrated bad guy' actors in action cinema. There's a multitude of fight scenes to enjoy and the film follows the usual template with light comedy giving way to much darker material as the running time progresses. Eddy Ko makes for a thoroughly imposing villain which is another plus, and the great Fan Mei Sheng is a perfect fit as the comedy beggar. As for the fights, Jang Lee absolutely kicks backside in the opening and closing sequences, although restrains it a little elsewhere for plot purposes. The fights are slower than those in modern day films, very focused on technique and style, but absolutely great too.
What a treat, then, for this film to feature Jang Lee as the hero rather than the antagonist. He rarely got the chance to play the good guy - you could count the times he did so on the fingers of one hand - so it's a delight to see him playing the protagonist for a change. Of course, this only happens because he's also directing and producing the picture. In this one, he plays a country bumpkin who arrives in town to meet his sister and her family, only to fall foul of a criminal organisation which makes short work of him. After some time spent training in the Shaolin temple, Jang Lee goes on a vengeful killing spree.
The story is fine and Jang Lee makes for an excellent hero; he's second only to Lo Lieh in terms of my favourite 'underrated bad guy' actors in action cinema. There's a multitude of fight scenes to enjoy and the film follows the usual template with light comedy giving way to much darker material as the running time progresses. Eddy Ko makes for a thoroughly imposing villain which is another plus, and the great Fan Mei Sheng is a perfect fit as the comedy beggar. As for the fights, Jang Lee absolutely kicks backside in the opening and closing sequences, although restrains it a little elsewhere for plot purposes. The fights are slower than those in modern day films, very focused on technique and style, but absolutely great too.
The best non-wire kicking you'll ever see
drngor23 July 2000
Hwang Jang Lee, the famed villain from Drunken Master and Snake in the Eagle's Shadow, actually plays a good guy in this film. This film contains the best kicking scenes in any movie ever made...or most movies ever made. No wires, just pure kicks. The movie felt like any other kung fu movie in terms of plot, music, and dubbing. However, Hwang Jang Lee astounds us with his great martial arts skills. A true martial arts classic.
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