"Heroes Of The East" embodies some of the best of the kung fu movie genre, and remains unique among its peers. It's an excellent example of Lau Kar Leung's ability to draw the viewer into his meticulous fight choreography, with compelling storytelling seamlessly incorporated into the action. It also stands as perhaps the greatest match up of Japanese and Chinese fighters. It's all the more impressive that he's able to pull this off so well without resorting to any real bloodshed, death, or dismemberment. There is a place for that, as I am sure Chang Cheh and Sony Chiba would argue, but Lau rises above this and just gives us fantastic martial arts action packaged in a very accesible story, even for non-fu fans.

This is one of the better Shaw efforts and definitely worth purchasing for fans of the genre. Recommended.

This one doubles as not only my favorite Gordon Liu movie but also as my favorite Shaw Brothers movie. I know there are so many to choose from and you think that one is the best and dude over there is all like "what about the '36th Chamber'?" Well, chill, we're talking about my favorites now, not yours. We talk about your favorites in your review, sucka.

Lau Kar Leung crafts this movie and its fight scenes with inspired perfection. Gordon Liu dishes out the goods with the jack-of-all trades fu by demonstrating that old school multiple proficiency that pretty much died in the 90's when everyone could just have a single gimmick and still get by. This movie is not only arguably Gordon Liu's best martial arts performance but also Yasuaki Kurata's as well. You have to wait all the way to the end to see Yasuaki finally get down; but when he does, HOLY SHIT, he's a fuckin' smokin' now! (Maybe, just maybe, there is one "Family Guy" fan out there who got that reference. Probably not.)

Anyhow, this film has got one of the best complilations of variety in martial arts styles and weapons put to use. The Japanese performers and characters are all straight-up bad-asses, and really Japanese, unlike many other Chinese films that used Chinese actors and portrayed the Japanese as bitch-made predatory miscreants. I'm not judging, I'm just sayin'. Well, I guess to truly complete a review for this movie I got to give up my favorite fight. Damn, there are so many to choose from, but if I had to pick one favorite I would cheat and say the entire end fight with Gordon and Yasuaki, which is basically like 3-4 fights in one. I don't mean to beat a dying horse (unless it's called for or I'm bored or something), but Mr. Kurata is so frickin' slick it's unreal. The man handles a ninja-to like he was born holding one, and his crab style is one of the dopest, slickest and most creative things I have ever seen. This movie has everything for martial arts lovers including a tough chick.

I also got to say Buddha bless Dragon Dynasty for releasing these perfectly digitally remastered fu classics with the original subtitles and dubbings while including all kinds of sweet bonuses like interviews with the legends that made these movies possible. Make sure this is in your collection. Essential and severely enjoyable.

Just to let you know, the fights in this movie are not to the death, and I don't believe that anyone even dies in the whole movie. Regardless of that, the action and fight scences are excellent as Gordon Liu must challenge a different Japanese fighter to a duel each day. Each of the duels have a different style of fighting and/or different weapons. After defeating all of the regular fighters, Gordon Liu must face the master who fights in a ninja style. The end scenes are very similar to those seen in "Legendary Weapons Of China", with lots of creative choreography.

While I watched this movie, I couldn't wait to see what the next duel would be. It is an excellent movie that should keep any kung fu fan on the edge of their seat.

You would think that, with two thirds of the movie being fights, there wouldn't be much room for a story. But leave it to old master Lau to keep a coherent and involving narrative running alongside the superbly choreographed martial arts action. This is not your run of the mill Chinese vs. Japanese kung fu flick. This is a story about pride, prejudice and mutual respect. And I also like to think that it is a nice reflection of Lau Kar Leung's views on cross cultural understanding and acceptance. As well as the true philosophy of martial arts.

Needles to say, the action kicks balls. Watching Gordon take on Yasuaki Kurata and his band of Bushido masters is nothing but pure joy and delight. It is a true duel of styles, in its purest form. Hand to hand, trickery and a crapload of cool and classic weapons. My personal favorite is the Qiang vs. Yari spear fight... damn that shit is tight. And of course the end fight, Kung Fu vs. Ninjitsu. That Japanese crab technique was of the hook. Hell, I could go on and on about this movie. And I have probably watched it well over a hundred times in the last twenty years in various forms.

But suffice to say that this is a must have. The respectful and non violent nature of the film, is a nice break, in between the usual gory sword slashers and bloody revenge tales of the genre.

At first they are both amused that the other knows martial arts...until things get too competitive and they start destoying their home and their relationship as they each try to best the other. Gordon Liu unintentionally insults his wife's martial arts; and since she can't beat him, she returns to Japan. Gordon wants his wife back so he sends her a taunting letter hoping that she will be pissed enough to come back so that they will at least have a chance to try to work things out.

Unfortunately Gordon's wife is not the only one who reads his insulting letter; her fellow martial arts class mates get a hold of the letter and take the insults as a challenge. A group of martial artist from her school decide to head to China to accept the 'challenge'. What we get is a series of awesome fights between the Japanese students and Gordon Liu. Many different weapons, many different styles and great choreography...and even a cameo from 'Pops' himself, Lau Ka Leung as a drunk that Gordon learns 'Drunken Style' from.

If there was one little critique I would make about this film, it is the fact that Gordon Liu wins all of the fights. It would have been nice to see one of the Japanese martial artist win at least one of the fights; and be big enough not to try to hurt Gordon as he did with them.

Great cast and I particularly liked the Samuri who tried to give Gordon his sword. This guy felt so 'real', I felt like I was getting to see a real master at work. I would love to see more of his films. And Shoji Kurata was just as gorgeous as ever.

As with most Shaw films of this period, particularly by this director, there is some comedy. But unlike most other old-school films that contain comedy, the jokes and gags in this movie are actually funny instead of just being annoying and tedious, and this manages to give the movie a light-hearted tone throughout most of its running-time.

This movie is a definite must-have in any old-school film collection. It is impossible to use too many superlatives when describing its greatness. Absolutely brilliant.