|
Starring
:
Jhoon
Rhee
Angela
Mao
Carter
Wong
Anne
Winton
Whang
In Sik
Kenji
Kazama
Sammo
Hung
Action
:
Sammo
Hung
Chan
Chuen
Producer
:
Raymond
Chow
Director
:
Huang
Feng
|
WHEN
TAE-KWON DO STRIKES (1973)
A.K.A.
- Sting Of The Dragon Masters; When Taekwondo Strikes;
Kickmaster
Reviewed
by Andrew Saroch
While
watching 'Come
Drink With Me' and appreciating Cheng Pei Pei's obvious
significance among Asian action actresses, it was natural that
Angela Mao should also be mentioned in the same breath. As
most Western viewers were mostly unaware of the original stars
of the genre (i.e. Cheng Pei Pei, Chiao Chiao, Hsu Feng)
initially due to the poor distribution of their films, Angela
Mao had gained a sizeable cult following. 'When Tae-Kwon Do
Strikes' was one of the films that established Mao's on-screen
persona and continues to delight her fans today.
After
discovering a Korean patriot (Carter Wong) who refuses to bow
to the invading authorities, a gang of tyrannical Japanese
fighters corner him in a church and look set to kill him.
However, the Western priest there steps in and, with the help
of his tae-kwon do fighter niece Mary, manages to force them
out of the church. While the Japanese are re-grouping for
another attack on the church, the priest's Korean gardener
reveals himself to be famed patriot Lee Chung Tung (Jhoon Rhee)
who has been planning his next attack on the resident powers.
Before the aggressors can return, the original Korean fugitive
along with Lee Chung Tung and sympathiser Mary flee the scene
and meet up with Chinese fighter Wan (Mao). The new team
continue to evade the Japanese in the area until the priest
who had aided in the past is captured and tortured for
information. Knowing that he owes the priest a significant
debt for saving his life, Lee decides to journey to the prison
and free his loyal friend. The ensuing battle, though, sees
Lee captured by the enemy and now in a similar position to the
one he tried to save. Hearing of the dreadful outcome of the
fight, the Korean patriots must now decide whether they should
attempt to rescue Lee or continue the anti-Japanese movement
elsewhere. Matters soon conspire to force them into the former
option.
'When
Tae-Kwon Do Strikes' doesn't exactly boast the most original
storyline; the Japanese aggression plot is again used though
it is at least set mostly in Korea for a change. The actual
progression of events isn't that unique either - even in 1973
this very straight-forward direction would have been fairly
routine. Nonetheless the film provides superior entertainment
value due to the admirable merits that director Huang Feng
does manage to provide. Foremost in this category is the
wondrous Angela Mao; though not the main star of the film, she
dominates every scene she's in, particularly the relentless
finale. Her fighting skills are combined with a strong sense
of femininity, clearly inspiring later stars like Michelle
Yeoh and Moon Lee. Huang Feng also succeeds in teaming Mao
with Western actress Anne Winton who is surprisingly powerful
both in fighting ability and acting. Of course, the film also
highlights the talents of real-life master Jhoon Rhee and
stars-in-the-making Carter Wong and Sammo Hung (looking
strangely like the oriental Meatloaf). The addition of these
and a use of some above average action (considering the film's
age) means that 'When Tae-Kwon Do Strikes', while still
falling foul of the prosaic nature of the narrative and its
uninspiring characterisation, is thankfully lifted above the
mundane.
Rating:
 
|
