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Starring
:
Meng
Fei
Lee
Lan Lan
Pa
Hung
Shoji
Kurata
Action
:
Lau
Kar Wing
Wong
Pei Tsi
Producer
:
Chang
Ying
Director
:
Chai
Ying Min
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PRODIGAL
BOXER (1973)
A.K.A.
- Kung Fu Punch Of Death; The Prodigal Boxer - The Kick Of
Death
Reviewed
by Andrew Saroch
The
story of heroic patriot Fong Sai Yuk has been told many times
and from a multitude of different angles. Famously played by
Fu Sheng and Jet Li, Sai Yuk has always been a character with
immense appeal. Here, 'Five Shaolin Masters' star Meng Fei
(looking very young) takes on the formidable task of
portraying the popular kung fu hero.
An
altercation with a local rival deteriorates into a wide-scale
fight for Fong Sai Yuk and one that is hardly worthy of his
noteworthy talents. The brawl ends with Sai Yuk's opponent
severely beaten and, after a time, he dies. The wealthy father
of the deceased man immediately puts the blame on the
shoulders of the young fighter and decides to enlist the help
of two evil kung-fu masters to gain revenge for him. These two
have their own scores to settle with Sai Yuk and his family
after their constant meddling in the unrighteous affairs of
the pair has scuppered their plans more than once. While their
young target is in town defending the honour of a young woman,
the masters attack Sai Yuk's family, killing his father and
wounding his mother. When he returns home and witnesses the
devastation his actions have caused, the hot-headed youngster
decides to throw himself into his own sense of retribution.
Thankfully his mother intervenes and persuades him to sharpen
his skills for the inevitable showdown. However, the two
tyrants are still eager to execute their original target and
therefore begin to search the surrounding area for Sai Yuk.
After a few bruising encounters which see him barely escape
with his life, Fong Sai Yuk decides to train with his mother
in earnest and finally achieve his emotional goal.
As
was previously said, there have been quite a few variations on
the Fong Sai Yuk story and a few genuine classics that have
added their own qualities to the tale. Chang Cheh's 'Men
From The Monastery' was a masterfully told version that
highlighted Fu Sheng's exceptional ability to mix combat with
drama in such a powerful way. Then came the Jet Li/Yuen Kwai
masterpiece 'Fong Sai Yuk' which featured sharp comedy,
first-rate performances and sublime fight action. 'Prodigal
Boxer', while not equal to either of these, has much to admire
and certainly proves to be an above average feature. Firstly,
Meng Fei gives one of the most impressive performances of his
career, easily coping with the complex emotions that Fong Sai
Yuk has to display here. Added to his success is a cast of
superior actors who lift the film to the next level.
Noteworthy among the cast is Shoji Kurata - someone who
deserves much more respect as an actor than he actually gets.
Naturally his fighting skills are superb, but Kurata also
gives his character such menace and resonance.
Strangely,
the fight action is one of the weaker elements here. By no
means unexciting, the choreography still lacks a stylish edge
and tends to appear archaic at times. This is compensated by
director Chai Ying Min's brave concentration on the various
relationships of the story. The move is a resounding hit as
'Prodigal Boxer' has depth and action aplenty. Sai Yuk's
chemistry with his mother and the delightful love interest
means that this is much more than a mindless fight fest.
'Prodigal Boxer' has faults, but it has many strengths; it is
these that lift this to a four star rating.
Rating:
 
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