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Starring
:
Jackie
Chan
Yuen
Siu Tien
Hwang
Jang Lee
Roy
Horan
Dean
Shek
Chan
Lung
Action
:
Yuen
Woo Ping
Producer
:
Ng
See Yuen
Director
:
Yuen
Woo Ping
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SNAKE
IN THE EAGLE'S SHADOW (1978)
A.K.A.
- Snake In Eagle's Shadow
Reviewed
by Tony Ryan
The
blueprint for Jackie Chan's greatest success 'Drunken
Master', and in many ways a superior film, while not quite
as impressive in the action stakes. 'S.I.T.E.S' gave Jackie
his first chance to shine outside the reigns of Lo Wei, and
under the expert guidance of Woo Ping and Ng See Yuen delivers
a classic of the genre, and one which fans the world over are
just starting to enjoy as his back catalogue is released onto
DVD.
The
plot is fairly simple and sees Jackie as an orphan taken in by
a kung fu school where he spends his time doing odd jobs,
while also being the human punch bag on whom many of the
students practice. When he helps an old beggar from being
attacked, he inadvertently gains a new friend. The beggar
(Yuen Siu Tien) takes a liking to Jackie and offers to teach
him his snake fist kung fu. Meanwhile a group led by Hwang
Jang Lee are out to destroy this style of kung fu creating the
backdrop for a number of excellent training and fight
sequences, much like the later 'Drunken Master'.
The
main difference between 'DM' and 'SITES' is only slight. 'DM'
has longer and more fluid fight choreography, as well as extra
comedy, while 'SITES' works better on a dramatic level with
more empathy lent to the characters. If you like one, you
should like the other, and both are fine examples of the early
kung fu comedy which was to shape the Jade Screen at the time.
My
own personal preference leans toward this movie, as opposed to
'DM', but only slightly, and I love them both. However, it is
the ability for Jackie to truly make you feel sorry for him,
and develop a bond in the first ten minutes which just nicks
it for me. Ultimately, you should aim to own them both, as the
DVD's are excellent as are the films - Jackie at his physical
best doing what made him a star in the first place!
Rating:
 
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