Shuang long gu (1974) User Reviews

Kung Fu of Tai Kwan Do (1974)

[jddog130 · 4/10 · 25 May 2015]

The name of the video I have is "Kung Fu of Tai Kwan Do" aka "Valley of the Double Dragon" and can also be found as "Fist Fighter", starring Kam Chun-Pak (Kim Jin Pai), Sylvester Williams (William Shiela), Robert Baker and Lam Jan-Kei (Lin Chen-Chi).

This film takes place during Japan's occupation of China during World War 2. A downed U.S. fighter pilot George (Williams) forms an uneasy alliance with a group of Chinese freedom fighter Guerillas, Wang Lung, Wang Fung, Fa Par Chi and Shi Gin Don (Kim Jin Pai and crew) as they oppose the Japanese soldiers who have been destroying the countryside with the help from a crazy Nazi (Robert Baker).

Starting off, an American pilot is shot down and forced to parachute into the hands of the Japanese army where he becomes a POW but soon escapes. At first he is angry and distrustful of his soon to be Guerilla allies who use the martial arts. In addition to the protection from the Guerillas, some Chinese lose their lives to protect George, he was thankful for the friendship of the Chinese and learns some Kung Fu.

He soon finds himself in disguise as Guan Yu for protection as the team attempts to infiltrate the Japanese HQ and return him safely to his homeland. This new bond will be tested as the pilot plans each next move. Will honor and trust prevail?

Kung Fu of Tai Kwan Do is a choppy, uneven but worthwhile low budget 70s style war/fu. I watched this one mainly interested in the cast, but I enjoyed it more than I thought I would.

Made on the cheap equals good value for the fans of 1970s martial arts movies

[ckormos1 · 6/10 · 1 September 2015]

Titles of this movie include - Valley of the Double Dragon or Kung Fu of Tae Kwon Do or Golden Leopard's Brutal Revenge or Fist Fighter or any combination or spelling of Tae Kwon Do and Kung Fu put together. The only title resembling any of the story would be a fighter with panther tattoos getting revenge. Actors include - Kan Chun-Pak, Lin Chen-Chi, Robert Baker, Liu Ping, Suen Yuet and Fang Mian. I like hot kung fu chicks in 1970s movies and Lin Chen-Chi is in my top ten list. (Not that she even does kung fu, just looking at you, babe.) That's my reason for watching this film blessed with many title variations for the sole purpose of occupying shelf space in the thousands of VHS rental stores all over America back in the day. So we start with the evil Japanese this time doing evil to the retreating American soldiers. Typically the villain steps on stage and kicks a dog or does something evil to show the audience that he is the bad guy. In these movies all the audience really needs is to hear "Japanese" and they know that with no need to show. Robert ("I was beaten to death by Bruce Lee") Baker, in his second and final movie appearance, plays a Nazi. One American, Sylvester Williams (his only role) falls into the helpful hands of the Chinese resistance fighters. The other American gets killed off and I can't even find his screen credits. The scene when the opera performer plays the god of war Kwan Kung and uses the guan dao was great in concept but fell short in execution, still I liked it as a special movie moment. Sylvester Williams in disguise as Kwan Kung in the opera troop learns kung fu, history and culture as they flee the Japanese. The fights are basic and brutal, no wires no acrobatics, and they need to be basic and brutal for the story. Despite being just another no big name low budget production the story is good and the pace never drags as it is essentially a chase scene from start to finish. I rate it just above average for the year and genre.