Marco Polo: Viewer Comments

When I first saw this movie back in 1981, I was floored by the martial arts action that took place. However, I came in the middle of the movie so I didn't get the story. Later on in the U.S. I was able to see it again on television. But again I didn't catch the beginning.

However, from what I could perceive, I really wasn't missing anything, because although the movie is called "Marco Polo" it has very little to do with him. Because all Marco does is tour China and fall in love. The main focus of the movie was based on four assassins and the mighty Genghis Khan. To tell the truth, after seeing the four assassins, I tried my best to find a puddle of water and see if I could overcome gravity. However, after many soaked shoes I determined that gravity is not in my best interest.

"Marco Polo" still remains one of my favorite movies of all times. Not because of Marco, but because of the four assassins.

"Four Assassins"/"Marco Polo" is a quality old school kung fu flick that further proves Chang Cheh to be one of the most reliable and consistent filmmakers of the era. It is unique because it features a westerner (Richard Harrison) in a pivotal role and also includes the character of Kublai Khan. It is common knowledge that the film is not historically accurate, but it's nice to see the foreigner portrayed in a positive way. After those facts it is a pretty good and typical film of the genre including themes such as large armies, training sequences, and masters with long eye brows (liked the odd spitting problem though). I liked the way the four men were thrust into jobs that helped each man with a unique skill which was matched up with one of the evil badasses that included legends such as Leung Kar Yan and the always thrilling Gordon Liu in a villainous role. The heroes included accomplished actors of the time such as Chi Kuan Chun, Fu Sheng, and Phillip Kwok as they trained to battle the occupiers and eventually won the respect of Marco Polo.

Good film, but I think they could have cast a better westerner than Richard Harrison, who looked like he wandered off the set of a "Planet of the Apes" film.

Any martial arts movie with Gordon Liu as a villain is worth a second look. Marco Polo, aka The Four Assassins is an unusual genre film set in the time of Kublai Khan. The text on the dvd box frankly states that the movie takes historical liberties, so you won't be able to cite any of the scenes on a history test. I think that the average kung-fu fan will be willing to overlook this.

Marco Polo is a government official, witnessing a fighting contest where three combatants come out on top with their superior fighting skills: Wang Lung Wei with his 'Mongolian' wrestling style, Beardy (I think...it looks like him, all muscled up) with his quivering palm technique, and Gordon Liu with his two-sword style. Polo is given the job of ferreting out the rebels in occupied China.

You can probably guess the rest: rebels seek masters, masters train studnets in obscure techniques, and the final showdown is set. The only wild card in all of this is Polo, who comes to sympathize with the rebels due to their grim determination.

The rebels themselves are a well-known lot: Fu Sheng, Philip Kwok/Kwo Chue, and others whoes names escape me. Believe me, as soon as you see them, you'll recognize them from other countless martial arts films.

While Four Assassins is formulaic, there is much to enjoy about its execution of formula. Philip Kwok is the star with the mad skills, in my opinion. His leaping style includes many tumbles and breathtaking escapes from throws. I particularly enjoyed how the rebels planned the matches to counter the styles of the three Mongol champions. Four Assassins is another reminder of how consistent and talented director Chang Cheh was.