|
Starring
:
Chen
Wo Fu
Shih
Szu
Frankie
Wei
Chan
Shen
Cheng
Miu
Yeung
Chi Hing
Wong
Kwong Yue
Yeung
Chak Lam
Chan
Mei Hua
Action
:
Yuen
Ta Yen
Director
:
Pao
Hsueh Li
|
THE
SHADOW BOXER (1974)
A.K.A.
- Tai Chi Chuan; Tai Ji Quan
Reviewed
by Pat King
Chen
Wo Fu was a real life Tai Chi champion. However, he would not
see the opening of his first (and only) starring role in 'The
Shadow Boxer' due to his untimely death as he tragically
committed suicide by gas poisoning at the mere age of 24.
Director Pao Hsueh Li was formerly a cinematographer and
collaborator with Chang Cheh on films such as the classic
'Boxer from Shantung'.
The
powerful Jin family run a roadwork business but treat the
workers badly. By provoking the workers, they would then
refuse to pay them their hard earned wages should they make a
stand against their unfair treatment. Because Ku Ding (Chen Wo
Fu) is desperate for the money, he willingly takes a beating
from his superiors. He is able to withstand this beating and
only bears a few bruises afterwards as he is trained in the
internal art of Tai Chi Chuan. While he's not mistreating his
workers, young Master Jin (Frankie Wei) likes to fight any
worthy foes. After hearing that Ku Ding's sifu Master Yeung (Yeung
Chi Hing) is a respected Kung Fu practitioner, he challenges
him to a duel. Much to his displeasure however, Master Yeung
declines his invitation. Angered by his refusal, Jin has him
disposed of. Meanwhile Ku Ding's girlfriend Ah Bao (Chan
Mei Hua) is working for the lady at Jin's place. Not content
with mistreating his workers, fighting and having people
killed, Jin rapes her. Unable to cope with the trauma she
sequentially commits suicide by drowning herself. But strictly
adhering to the teachings of his sifu, Ku Ding refuses to take
action and finds himself on the end of more beatings. Only
after getting drunk with a witness to the murder of his
colleague Wu Lien Bing does he finally give in to his desire
for vengeance with the help of Master Yeung's daughter (Shih
Szu).
'The
Shadow Boxer' is in many ways similar to 'The
Big Boss'. However, there is a sense that Chen Wo Fu takes
one too many beatings before he finally takes action. By the
time he does, nearly everyone who means anything to him is
already dead. 'The Shadow Boxer' does however raise an
interesting concept of the horror Chen's character experiences
when he takes a life, a subject not usually explored in Kung
Fu films of this time. It doesn't dwell on it though, it
merely raises the issue.
The
real pulling power of this film though is the intriguing
depiction of the rarely seen art of Tai Chi Chuan. Yuen Woo
Ping brought Tai Chi to the screen in the classic 'Tai
Chi Master'. This was however a more stylised affair with
extravagant wirework, although touching on many of the genuine
principles of Tai Chi. Yuen Woo Ping also made 'Drunken
Tai Chi' but other than the training sequences, there is
little Tai Chi displayed in the film. The problem is the style
itself as it is hard to make it look effective on screen due
to it's 'soft' appearance. Yuen Woo Ping found a way round
this by incorporating the stylised wuxia approach to convey
the internal energy concept. Although effective it isn't
realistic, but then it's not meant to be. 'The Shadow Boxer'
being made in 1974 is completely grounded and does as well as
can be expected given the abstract nature of the style. In the
early 70's, choreography tended to look similar but then Tai
Chi isn't so much unique in the techniques it utilises, more
in it's application. The action sequences do however hold up
well to other films made at the same time.
Chen
Wo Fu, had he lived, could have probably gone on to be a major
star for the Shaw Brothers. He certainly had the physical
look, although his acting in 'The Shadow Boxer' is never more
than adequate. Had Shih Szu had more screen time she probably
would have run off with the film but then Chen was a martial
artist and not an actor so who knows how his acting skills
would have developed as he acquired more experience.
'The
Shadow Boxer' is a fairly standard affair as offered by the
Shaw Brother's studio and is unable to elevate itself to
compete with the likes of the classic 'Boxer from Shantung'
and the exceptional 'The
Water Margin', both made earlier. Although flawed, it
still makes for good solid viewing.
Rating:
  
|
