I think this is misunderstood by a lot of people. In many ways it is a film with a decent story that also has kung fu in it. Made in Taiwan (in parts it is more like a travelogue) it is the story of the Chinese Emperor, his eunuch and bodyguard (played by Shaw's regular Chi Kuan-chun) visiting Taiwan, and the Emperor and Chi falling in love with two local (beautiful) tea pickers. Emperors travelling in disguise is a well used folklore theme in most cultures and the local grandee, whose nephew is accidentally killed trying to abduct the girls, tries to kill the emperor with the help of what can only be called Red Indians! What they are doing in Taiwan is anyone's guess. Chi is killed but used to rout them using a ruse similar to that in El Cid. The ending is unusual too in that the main villain kills his colleague and then himself after realising he has tried to kill the emperor. The fights are few and only really ramp up in the last third where they get very bloody but are well performed with a variety of hand and weapon styles. The scenes of rural life and some of the customs are well portrayed and I enjoyed this film. It is uneven and certainly not your typical kung fu film but has its moments. Watch but don't expect constant fighting.
6 Reviews
The martial arts El Cid
Leofwine_draca7 October 2016
Warning: Spoilers
I enjoyed IRON NECK LI a lot more than expected, given the track record of the recent Taiwanese martial arts films I've watched (which tend to be very cheap and have poor fight choreography). IRON NECK LI tells a fresh and involving story that's enhanced by some great and bloody fight scenes. It's a film that's strong enough to overcome the expected poor dubbing and the like.
The main character is an upstanding hero who just so happens to be friends with the Chinese emperor, a young man who enjoys travelling the countryside in disguise, checking out the lives of his subjects. Unfortunately a huge gang of bandits are also on the prowl, spelling trouble for all involved. IRON NECK LI features plenty of action courtesy of martial arts star Chi Kuan-Chun, who had previously appeared in the likes of the Shaw Brothers movie SHAOLIN TEMPLE. There's one bloody late-stage fight which is rather incredible and of the same quality as one in a Chang Cheh movie, it's that good.
The main character is an upstanding hero who just so happens to be friends with the Chinese emperor, a young man who enjoys travelling the countryside in disguise, checking out the lives of his subjects. Unfortunately a huge gang of bandits are also on the prowl, spelling trouble for all involved. IRON NECK LI features plenty of action courtesy of martial arts star Chi Kuan-Chun, who had previously appeared in the likes of the Shaw Brothers movie SHAOLIN TEMPLE. There's one bloody late-stage fight which is rather incredible and of the same quality as one in a Chang Cheh movie, it's that good.
The situation as well as it's point is interesting enough to warrant this film a pass.
jordondave-2808514 May 2023
(1978) Iron Neck Li
DUBBED
MARTIAL ARTS PERIOD PIECE/ ACTION
This film deserves a pass since it's centered on, although exaggerated, an actual real life martial artist folklore hero, similar to Wong Fei Hung, whose name is "Iron Neck Li" played by Kuan-Chun Chi. The other thing I like about this film, is that it's not so much another 'chop sockey' revenge movie as it's about a Chinese emperor and his personal friends or subjects, trying to make good to some of the few citizens they meet. The comedy is lame as well as the dubbing but the situation as well as it's point is interesting enough to warrant this film a pass.
This film deserves a pass since it's centered on, although exaggerated, an actual real life martial artist folklore hero, similar to Wong Fei Hung, whose name is "Iron Neck Li" played by Kuan-Chun Chi. The other thing I like about this film, is that it's not so much another 'chop sockey' revenge movie as it's about a Chinese emperor and his personal friends or subjects, trying to make good to some of the few citizens they meet. The comedy is lame as well as the dubbing but the situation as well as it's point is interesting enough to warrant this film a pass.
Wacky Taiwanese kung-fu
Progbear-419 April 2000
A pretty standard kung-fu period-piece with some comic elements. What sets this apart are some truly odd fighting techniques. I don't think I'll ever get the image of the chunky, long-haired man deflecting his opponent's kicks by contracting and expanding his belly out of my head. Must be a technique unique to Taiwan. Bizarre.
A feast for your fast forward
ckormos17 January 2017
Chi Kuan-Chun attracts the emperor's eye with his good deeds and fighting skills. He goes off on a trip to Taiwan with the naïve emperor. After two good opening fights the story becomes a travelogue for Taiwan complete with learning the customs. The emperor's money solves all the awkward situations they get into until a group of bandits notices them.
The pace of this movie is unbearable slow. In between the fights the only thing that happens is deciding where to go and what to eat. The emperor's toady is annoying and the voice dub for the character is twice as annoying.
Somehow I stuck through it to the end. Even the best final fight in history could not make up for the previous 70 minutes. Ultimately this movie is why we have fast forward. Use it for the entire middle section.
The pace of this movie is unbearable slow. In between the fights the only thing that happens is deciding where to go and what to eat. The emperor's toady is annoying and the voice dub for the character is twice as annoying.
Somehow I stuck through it to the end. Even the best final fight in history could not make up for the previous 70 minutes. Ultimately this movie is why we have fast forward. Use it for the entire middle section.
To fight or eat, that is the question
dafrosts18 February 2018
Warning: Spoilers
I am a fan of Chi Kuan-Chun and will watch anything featuring him. Even something with the pace of a snail like this movie. If you enjoy watching Chi Kuan-Chun kick butt, this will not disappoint.
Li Yung (Chi Kuan-Chun) encounters the Emperor (Wong Hung) during one of his moment of helping the Downtrodden. Such acts have earned Yung the odd nickname Iron Neck due to his willingness stick his neck out for those who cannot defend themselves against adversity. The Emperor protects Li from potential death at the hands of a local official who believes Li responsible for his son's death. The son was actually killed by his own men.
The Emperor hires Li to be his bodyguard. There is a discussion about places to visit and Li mentions Taiwan. It's a place the Emperor's Eunuch, Wang Fa (Wang Shui) claims he's been trying to convince the Emperor to visit. Now that the Emperor has Li at his side, there's no reason not to go.
The trio venture to Taiwan where Li reveals he is a major Foodie. He loves the dishes they are served. Wang Fa is constantly whining about all the walking they do. The Emperor, incognito as Mr. Coo, seems to be enjoying the scenery along the journey.
The trio encounter several people along their journey. Mr. Wang (Cliff Ching Ching), who is trying to earn money to help a sick friend by performing as a juggler, and doing a very bad job of it, is set upon by thugs. Li quickly comes to his rescue. Monkey (Yun Zhong Yue), is a poor lentil grower who wants to marry a young lady from a more affluent family. The Emperor buys Monkey a nice house and some clothes and reintroduces him to the girl's father, who accepts the arrangement.
Li accidentally finds himself married to a dead girl when he sees a pair of red shoes sitting on a stoop and picks them up. The shoes are a symbol of a Taiwanese custom and since Li picked up the shoes, he is now the girl's groom.
While Li is tending to marital business, Wang fa takes the Emperor to a brothel. it doesn't go well. The manager wants to call the police but Wang Fa offers to pay twice the cost of their bill to settle matters. Li makes fun of Wang Fa a they continue their journey.
The trio reunite with Wang in his home town. There Li saves a woman (Chan Mei Hua) and her cousin (Guk Man Ching) from being assaulted. Man Ching takes an immediate shine to the incredibly shy Li. Mei Hua has eyes on the Emperor, who returns her affections. The couples quickly become engaged.
None of this sits well with the man who has eyes on Mei Hua. He gets his uncle to help with a plan to kidnap Mei Hua. The plan is foiled by Li, who saves Mei Hua from her captors. The man is unfortunately killed when he stumbled over the side of a cliff.
The distraught uncle hires a group of bandits lead by a man who runs around in War Paint shouting Native American War cries. It leads to a confrontation with Li, who sadly dies protecting the Emperor from the crazy bandits. However, Li's refusal to lay down and drop dead freaks out the bandits. They see him as a God who will come back to get all of them. Li's final act to aid the Emperor solidifies his Godlike status with the bandits. Only a God could rise from the dead and ride a horse to do battle with the bandits.
Li Yung (Chi Kuan-Chun) encounters the Emperor (Wong Hung) during one of his moment of helping the Downtrodden. Such acts have earned Yung the odd nickname Iron Neck due to his willingness stick his neck out for those who cannot defend themselves against adversity. The Emperor protects Li from potential death at the hands of a local official who believes Li responsible for his son's death. The son was actually killed by his own men.
The Emperor hires Li to be his bodyguard. There is a discussion about places to visit and Li mentions Taiwan. It's a place the Emperor's Eunuch, Wang Fa (Wang Shui) claims he's been trying to convince the Emperor to visit. Now that the Emperor has Li at his side, there's no reason not to go.
The trio venture to Taiwan where Li reveals he is a major Foodie. He loves the dishes they are served. Wang Fa is constantly whining about all the walking they do. The Emperor, incognito as Mr. Coo, seems to be enjoying the scenery along the journey.
The trio encounter several people along their journey. Mr. Wang (Cliff Ching Ching), who is trying to earn money to help a sick friend by performing as a juggler, and doing a very bad job of it, is set upon by thugs. Li quickly comes to his rescue. Monkey (Yun Zhong Yue), is a poor lentil grower who wants to marry a young lady from a more affluent family. The Emperor buys Monkey a nice house and some clothes and reintroduces him to the girl's father, who accepts the arrangement.
Li accidentally finds himself married to a dead girl when he sees a pair of red shoes sitting on a stoop and picks them up. The shoes are a symbol of a Taiwanese custom and since Li picked up the shoes, he is now the girl's groom.
While Li is tending to marital business, Wang fa takes the Emperor to a brothel. it doesn't go well. The manager wants to call the police but Wang Fa offers to pay twice the cost of their bill to settle matters. Li makes fun of Wang Fa a they continue their journey.
The trio reunite with Wang in his home town. There Li saves a woman (Chan Mei Hua) and her cousin (Guk Man Ching) from being assaulted. Man Ching takes an immediate shine to the incredibly shy Li. Mei Hua has eyes on the Emperor, who returns her affections. The couples quickly become engaged.
None of this sits well with the man who has eyes on Mei Hua. He gets his uncle to help with a plan to kidnap Mei Hua. The plan is foiled by Li, who saves Mei Hua from her captors. The man is unfortunately killed when he stumbled over the side of a cliff.
The distraught uncle hires a group of bandits lead by a man who runs around in War Paint shouting Native American War cries. It leads to a confrontation with Li, who sadly dies protecting the Emperor from the crazy bandits. However, Li's refusal to lay down and drop dead freaks out the bandits. They see him as a God who will come back to get all of them. Li's final act to aid the Emperor solidifies his Godlike status with the bandits. Only a God could rise from the dead and ride a horse to do battle with the bandits.
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