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Cast:
Ti
Lung
Chan
Hui Man
Tan
Tao Liang
Shih
Szu
Wong
Chung
Wu
Ma
Danny
Lee
Action:
Robert
Tai
Producer:
Philip
Ko Fei
Director:
Wu
Ma
Score:
 
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THE
HEROES
AKA:
The Shaolin Heroes ||
Story Of Chivalry || The Unforgiven Of
Shaolin
Year:
1980 Reviewer: Andrew
Saroch
Marshall
Kao (Ti Lung), former Shaolin fighter now turned Manchu
enforcer, is given the task of tracking down all of the
remaining members of his former brethren. The traitor manages
to capture famed anti-Ching warrior Si Ying (Tan Tao Liang)
and drag him and all of his fellow rebels to a fearsome Manchu
stronghold for questioning. Although the Emperor is keen for
the opposers to be executed, Kao persuades his superior to
allow him to torture the Shaolin fighters in the hope of
turning them to the Ching cause. There is more to the tortures
than meets the eye, though, and the prisoners seem to be
resisting the regime rather too well. It begins to dawn on the
Emperor that perhaps his ally, Kao, is far from opposing the
Shaolin cause - in fact, he may be secretly aiding it.
Despite
obviously not benefiting from the budget of the Shaw Brothers'
productions, Wu Ma's ambitious 'The Heroes' is a worthy kung
fu drama that is impressive enough to stand out from the
overcrowded independent market. Central to the film's success
is a flawless lead performance from Ti Lung that is proof, if
proof were needed, that many of the genre's biggest stars
could actually act. During his time at Shaw Brothers, Ti Lung
demonstrated his thespian qualities alongside his physical
skills and rose to prominence within the actors' stable. While
some of Ti Lung's independent appearances were hardly
demanding, 'The Heroes' presents the star with a powerful
vehicle that is much more than just a mindless action film.
The emotions that Marshall Kao is forced to go throw as he
plays the traitor are painfully realised and create a central
dynamic within the film that gives it an overall resonance
that is not always seen in the genre.
With
a remarkable effort by Ti Lung, it is natural that the
benefits trickle down to the rest of the cast. Tan Tao Liang -
though hardly stretched - is good as the heroic Si Ying while
a young Danny Lee is effective as the naive and deluded
avenger determined to kill Kao. The only disappointment in the
acting department is Shih Szu; it's a shame that such a
talented actress is given a somewhat unimportant role and is
therefore resigned to floating in and out of the film with
little meaning. 'The Heroes' though has enough substance to
make sure that the weaknesses and relatively small budget are
barely called to mind.
For
anyone who wants a change from the late-70s kung fu comedy
cycle, 'The Heroes' is a film that is heartily recommended.
Director Wu Ma - sadly unappreciated in this area of his
career - forms a dramatic piece that has a power and depth
that should really be commended; the closing few minutes have
a lingering effect that will stay with many viewers long after
the credits have rolled. Although I have mainly noted the
dramatic qualities of the production, 'The Heroes' has enough
well-choreographed fight sequences to impress though Wu Ma's
edict is quality rather than quantity. An excellent film in
every department and a certain recommendation.
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