This is probably the first and last time you'll ever see a film directed by John Woo that features Kung Fu legends, Jackie Chan, Sammo Hung and Yuen Biao! Their foe is none other than the formidable James Tien (Game of Death) who want to wipe all Shaolin men from the face of the earth.

Leading the charge is Tan Tao-Liang as Yun Fei in a fascinating movie filled with moments that echo throughout Woo's subsequent career. Packed with extensive fights using varied disciplines, it's an early showcase for all performers (in particular Jackie Chan) and a chance to rediscover an early star of the scene: the super-kicking Tan Tao-Liang in a great performance that shows just why his nickname was "Flash Legs". In common with the most entertaining Woo films, it's the final half-hour showdown that really kicks ass in typically brutal style, so watch out!

"The Hand of Death" revolves around the quest of a Shaolin disciple (Tan Tao Liang) to avenge his master's death and end the persecution of the Shaolin Temple and it's martial arts by the Manchu rulers. His mission is to find a Shaolin renegade (James Tien) who has turned traitor and now leads the Manchu's anti-Shaolin effort. He joins forces with an unlikely pair: a delivery boy (Jackie Chan) and an expert swordsman (Chang Chung).

"The Hand of Death" is a classic kung fu movie that bears the hallmarks of a Woo Production - passionate characters, the bond of sworn brotherhood and unity, and superb fight choreography. A must-have collectible by Ardent kung fu fans and Woo and Chan followers who are interested in their early works.

REVIEW:
Marketed as another Jackie Chan flick, HAND OF DEATH (aka STRIKE OF DEATH) is, in actuality, a Dorian (Flash Legs) Tan movie brought to you by that infamous Hong Kong harbinger, John Woo.

Written and directed by Woo, the premise of the movie plays out as your typical "avenging my master’s death" motif, but Woo seems to tell it with just a little more style. The first scene of the movie involves a raid on the Shaolin men and has that John Woo "let’s show them we mean business" principle that is typical in all of his films.

Honestly, the biggest asset to the film is young Jackie Chan. Tan’s character (Yun Fei) meets up with Chan early on in the film, as Chan helps him get past a Ching government checkpoint. Tan then asks Chan to join him on his quest, and of course he declines only to change his mind later. Jackie is the expert spear-fighter, and has the best fight scenes in the movie bar none. HAND OF DEATH was the first movie I ever saw that he actually played a somewhat serious character. It was kind of refreshing. Chan actually has a certain coolness in this film. In fact all of the characters in the movie have a certain bad ass quality. They are all specialized with unique fighting weapons, kind of like The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

Sammo is good as always, this time playing Officer Tu Ching, number one to Commander Shih, a character played by James Tien (FIST OF FURY). My favorite character in the film, hands down is Zorro (never mind the name) played by Chang Chung. Chung plays an expert swordsman who’s sword has remained sheathed for years due to the accidental killing of his wife. Yun Fei convinces Zorro to once again pick up the sword and join him on his mission. Chung’s screen presence is quite good and his moves are second only to Jackie’s.

So the plot is recycled, that’s okay. Half the fun of the martial arts genre deals in familiar storylines. Where HAND OF DEATH falls flat is the fight scenes. With the exception of Chang and Chung, the scenes are static and slow. It’s strange, it seems like the best action in the movie involves weapons (spears, swords, etc.), which to me would be the hardest to choreograph realistically. The last scene of the film is especially a bummer. Woo does a great job pacing the entire film, but the climax falls flat. The showdown scene between Tien and Tan at times seems like more of a martial arts demonstration.

Nevertheless, the film is quite good. Well above your Saturday morning kung fu theater and worth a viewing especially for Chan and Woo fans.

Yun Fei (Tan Tao Liang) is chosen by the head monk to assassinate Shih. After an attempt goes wrong and he is defeated he calls upon a band of other patriots to help.

There is a master swordsman, Zorro and a spear expert played by a young Jackie Chan who also wants revenge for the death of his brother.

After heavy training they all set off to defeat Shih and his eight bodyguards, but there is a heavy price to pay.

Tan Tao Liang made his name in the 70's with his superb kicking skills in this film and others such as Hot the Cool and the Vicious. His acting is quite wooden but he is definately one of the best bootmen in Hong Kong movies.

It is great to watch this film and see so many up and coming stars of the future.

Jackie Chan steals the picture as the spearmen and you can see his future potential immediatly.

Sammo Hung plays Shih's head henchman, with eagle claw skills and buck teeth. He also did the fight choreography, which by todays standards may seem a tad slow and staged, but with not a wire in sight. He would later develope these skills at Golden Harvest with films like Broken Oath and Iron Fisted Monk.

Also in bit parts you can see Yuen Biao and Yuen Wah. John Woo also has a small part as a regal scholar whom the group are protecting from the Manchu's.

John Woo's style of direction in this film is nothing like in his groundbreaking Gangster films of the Eighties.

Overall an enjoyable Kung Fu movie, and i hope more are released on dvd.