Cast Member: Alexander Fu Sheng

The film has stood the test of time in terms of fight action, performances and direction, all of which are exceptional.

With ‘Five Shaolin Masters’, there is a definite impression that the great director’s inspirational ideas of brotherhood and honour are somehow diluted.

‘Heaven and Hell’ is actually a whole lot more interesting, and engaging, than one would outwardly expect from its (largely) negative reputation.

‘Heroes Shed No Tears’ is the kind of complex swordplay film that was attempted after the demise of the Shaw Brothers movie making empire, but often lacked the skilled control that Chor Yuen offered.

‘Heroes Two’ is not one of the definitive collaborations between Chang Cheh and Fu Sheng, but it offers quality in most departments.

This is not a comic masterpiece and doesn’t amuse in quite the manner that it imagines it does, but with a leading man of Fu Sheng’s calibre this is almost to be forgiven.

‘Legendary Weapons of China’ loses impetus when it concentrates on the distracting sub-plot involving Fu Sheng’s kung-fu charlatan, but it is still a refined entry in the genre.

There are quite a few spurts of fight action, but these are in-keeping with the playful tone of the film and offer little spectacular.

Chang Cheh delivers a multi-layered kung-fu drama that is ripe with excellent characterisation and well-choreographed action.

With a studio-bound feel that ages it beyond its years and an ambling storyline that sees the useful sub-plots cast aside, ‘My Rebellious Son’ rarely shines.

There’s therefore much to recommend this superior sequel, a film that takes the best elements of the original and invites viewers to contemplate a message beyond the common expectations of the genre.

‘Shaolin Temple’ is still a major achievement by a film-maker who was one of the true creators of the genre. There is, therefore, plenty to put this near the top of your viewing list.