Author Archive: Retro

A martial arts fighter, haunted by his past, takes a job as a dock worker in a small village. His vow never to fight again is tested by the cruel owner of the pier.

Madison Square Garden is the scene for a martial arts contest to crown a winner for the title vacated by the late Bruce Lee. Contains vintage Bruce Lee films plus doc footage.

In the 2nd of his Historical Martial Arts films, Chiba portrays his real life sensei Mas Oyama. The film even recreates Oyama’s incredible feat of killing a raging bull with his bare hands (Oyama did this feat over 50 times in real life). Dynamic fight choreography featuring authentic Kyokushinkai techniques. Ironically this is one of the rare Sonny Chiba films in which he DOESN’T tear out or rip off body parts of opponents. A must see for Sonny Chiba fans.

Robert Ko (Phillip Ko Fei) returns home and befriends local vagrant, Tiger (John Cheung Ng-Long), who’s fallen for Ming (Yang Pan Pan). Unfortunately, Master Ma, is also interested. A contest ensues to see who will win her hand.

After surviving the slaughter of many Christians 350 years ago, a samurai denounces God for ignoring the pleas of believers. He sells his soul to Satan and receives the power to resurrect the dead to join him in a murderous rampage. He is Shito: he brings to life a woman who was abused by her husband, two swordsmen who want to prove their skill, and a young man yearning for love. Shito leads them in attacks on people powerless in the face of such spirits. It’s up to Jubei, the son of one of the resurrected swordsmen, to seek out a maker of swords who can fashion him with a weapon that will kill the undead. Showdowns loom.

Two ninjas, Michael and Sherri are on two seperate missions but always team up to find the same Ninja attacking them. Sheeri is out to find her father’s murderer and Michael must protect the Golden Ninja Warrior statue for a ceremony in China.

Interesting actioner showcase Sue Shiomi’s talent as a action star casting her opposite to Japanese action star (who also does Hong Kong films) Yasuaki Kurata (of G-men 75 fame). Good soundtrack and some good action scenes.

An evil crime boss (Mari Honjo) concocts a super drug that she then uses to create three fearsome kung fu killers, which she dubs Death Machines. She begins hiring them out as ultra-competent contract killers, and the only one to stop her plans is a young student.

This film really started the kung fu theatre craze of the 1970’s with its lousy dubbing, bizarre storyline, and vivid depictions of gratuitous violence.A must see for the kung fu fan. You haven’t lived until you’ve heard lines like “he’s thick as two planks”, and “take these two knives, and I’ll see ya later!”