88 Films UK Blu-ray Synopsis: While the mighty Shaw Brothers were dominating the Hong Kong martial arts scene with hard-hitting features like THE CHINESE BOXER and dazzling us with an aesthetic brilliance found in productions such as LEGENDARY WEAPONS OF CHINA or THE SHAOLIN DISCIPLES, writer and star JACKIE CHAN and director Chen Chi Hwa were cutting across much of the pomposity associated with many of these types of films and offering something much more akin to parody with HALF A LOAF OF KUNG FU. Accident-prone Jiang (Chan) dreams of learning Kung Fu from a master, but when he takes employment as a bodyguard at a shady mansion, he stumbles upon an evil witch and finds himself in the middle of an uncertain future. Funny, inventive and clever, HALF A LOAF OF KUNG FU provides light-hearted action, some bonkers scenarios and of course, Chan's patented style of fun and fury. (96 Mins)

 

Eastern Heroes UK DVD Synopsis: Despite the unusual title, 'Half A Loaf Of Kung Fu' was one of Jackie's first experimental films using slap stick comedy with slick choreographed Kung Fu fights. Jackie's fondness towards his silent screen movie heroes like Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin is apparent as he plays the bungling oaf who wins through in the end. A miss at the box office when first released, it has only been since his style of comedy action has won him over millions of fans, that today's audience can appreciate the magic and genius of Jackie Chan. (92 Mins)

 

Trans Global UK VHS Synopsis: Jackie Chan stars in this comedy adventure in which he displays his vast array of martial arts skills, along with his comic talents. He stars in this funny action packed adventure as Jiane, a happy go-lucky orphan who is enlisted to the 'Sern Chuan Bodyguard'. The film follows his many adventures as he bodyguard is enlisted to protect the priceless 'Evergreen Jade'. (90 Mins)

 

Views: I love Half A Loaf Of Kung Fu! It was one of the first Jackie Chan films I saw as a kid and rented it on a daily basis along with Armour Of God, Fearless Hyena, and Project A. Although it may not be the ultimate film in terms of Chan's kung-fu abilities, Half A Loaf Of Kung Fu proves to be a highly entertaining parody of kung-fu cinema that still has me laughing out loud today. Of course, only when I got older and big into my Hong Kong cinema, did I learn from books (and the internet) of the truths behind the production and why it has become a Marmite movie (as such) for different generations of Jackie fans, but hopefully this newly restored Blu-ray release from 88 Films will help garner the film a brand new audience. The entertaining opening sequence kicks-off the movie perfectly with a montage of training sequences akin to that of the obligatory 'red room' opening of many kung-fu films around that time. Exchanging red for black, Jackie spoofs a number of characters and situations from Zatoichi to dashing swordsmen, Shaolin monks to Jesus Christ himself, as well as a hilarious attack on a miniature wooden dummy. It's an opening that sets up the tone of what to expect from the film, and must be praised for it's lampooning of kung-fu movies that came long before the great Stephen Chow Sing Chi made it such a popular genre!

 

The legendary Jackie Chan plays Chang, a smart-talking carefree guy who is doing whatever he can to find his next meal. After approaching a school for a job, Chang is chased out by a brute-of-a-man and soon gets cornered in a chicken house. Dodging attacks while throwing eggs (and chickens) in self defence, Chang eventually takes the giant down by whacking him on the head with a log in one of the many Looney Tunes-inspired moments seen throughout the film. Chang soon gets a job at the mansion of Mr. Man, an intimidating master with a grip of iron. One of the guests staying at the mansion is is Lady Mui who is housed not-too-far from Chang's room and rumoured to be a witch. That night, after stealing some food from the kitchen, Chang sneaks a peek into the room of Lady Mui but is caught by his friend San – who instantly killed by the witch. Frightened for his life, Chang makes a run for it as Mr. Man and his men chase after him, concerned that the young scamp may have overheard their plans on stealing the Evergreen Jade Pieces and Soul Pill – both of which are safely in the hands of Escort Fong. Having been on the run until the following morning, Chang comes across two men fighting, one of which is the murderer Se Tai Chung and the other known as The Whip Hero. As the latter has Chung on his knees begging for mercy, Chang causes a distraction that gives the murderer a chance to attack the hero, with The Whip Hero soon killing-off his opponent only to die straight after due to his injuries. Although he is too late to help the hero, Chang finds a note claiming the bounty for Chung's head and without a second thought, steals the identity of The Whip Hero in order to collect his reward. As he is praised by the locals, who are convinced he is the real master of the whip technique, an old beggar sees through his lies and sets out to keep an eye on the rascal. Escaping for a toilet break – only to be interrupted by Wu Ma in a cameo – Chang is soon approached by a younger beggar with a flatulence problem, who offers to teach Chang a new move called the Concubine (a move I used numerously on my friends and brothers growing up when we were scrapping). He soon bumps into Mr. Man and Lady Mui who quickly give chase. After they catch him, Mr. Man gives Chang a good beating before he is mysteriously killed by some flying darts. As Chang tries to figure out how he was killed, Lady Mui arrives and continues the beating under the impression that her colleague had been killed by the hands of the clumsy hero, but she is soon chased off by the old beggar who reveals a mysterious fighter hiding in the trees. Impressed with the skills of his saviour, Chang asks the old beggar to be his teacher although is coerced do a small job for him first before he agrees. That job is to deliver something to Escort Fong, who he unknowingly meets at an inn, along with his daughter and their bodyguard after he steps-in to break-up some trouble – Chang leaves before they all realise the connection to their old friend. Bumping into the farting beggar once again, the young hero is taught another new move (and the second favourite strike in my childhood battles), the Steel Finger along with the hilarious move, Bow To The King!

 

After his lesson, Chang is attacked by the same fighters from the restaurant who were bothering Fong, which gives Chang the chance to try his new moves along with the deadly whip. But Chang finds quickly finds himself abused once again (with hilarious consequences) before getting rescued by Escort Fong who returns their money. Back at the inn, Chang is approached by a tiny lady who turns out to be the sister of the real Whip Hero and learns the truth about her late brother. The following morning, Escort Fong and his men set-off on their journey with Chang but are soon attacked by a bevy of characters which include Lady Mui, Iron Hand Lui, and The Man with a Thousand Faces – all of whom want the Evergreen Jade Pieces and Soul Pill. As the fight begins, Escort Fong is quickly injured in battle leaving everything on Chang's shoulders to find an antidote that will help cure him. While on his mission, Chang comes across the Whip Hero's sister who is being attacked by a strange man. Although he manages to hold his own in battle, Chang is helped once again by the old beggar who reveals that he is actually the master of the farting beggar and gives the troubled hero the much needed medicine, as well as the Dragon Fist book so that he can learn a proper technique. Meanwhile, Escort Fong's daughter finds out that their bodyguard is actually one of Lady Mui's men and tries to stop him before he steals the jade. After nursing Escort Fong back to health and a little training of the Dragon Fist style, the party continue on their journey only to be met by the three clans that want the Evergreen Jade Pieces and Soul Pill. It all leads to a fight-filled final 20 minutes that offers plenty of great moves and hilarity as Chang finally becomes the fighter and hero he's always wanted to be!

 

Half A Loaf Of Kung Fu may be the kind of early Chan vehicle that is more acceptable to older Jackie Chan fans, than those who joined the club after Rush Hour came out! Disgusted with the less than successful box-office returns of his previous Jackie Chan titles such as New Fist Of Fury, To Kill With Intrigue, Killer Meteors, and the fantastic Snake & Crane Arts Of Shaolin, Lo Wei gave the star a little more freedom to deliver what he wanted – joined once again by friend and director Chen Chi Hwa, the man behind the latter and Shaolin Wooden Men. Excited at the prospects of finally making a kung-fu comedy, Jackie and Chen Chi Hwa set out to poke fun at the typical cliched tale of most kung-fu movies, turning it 'upside down and inside out' and packing it full with incredibly broad humour and cartoon-like comedy. The young pair of film-makers worked off the backbone of a basic storyline, adding skits and minor subplots along the way which, although flawed at times, still managed to deliver a very imaginative and inventive send-up of kung-fu cinema that presented the legitimate debut of Jackie Chan's comic persona. Unfortunately, Lo Wei didn't think so and stuck the film straight into in the vaults – locked away until the star proved to be a box office smash after being loaned to Seasonal Films for Yuen Woo Ping's Snake In The Eagles Shadow and Drunken Master. But even before they went into production, Lo Wei immediately thrust Jackie back into a serious roll with kung-fu cinema's first 3D film, The Magnificent Bodyguards, before writing his own comedy for the star with Spiritual Kung Fu. With both proving to be as mundane at the box office as the rest, Lo Wei pulled out all the stops to direct Jackie in Dragon Fist – a serious kung-fu drama that is possibly one of his best from that era. Although all of that happened over a two year period, it would be Lo Wei's actions that stopped Half A Loaf Of Kung Fu from really becoming the very first Jackie Chan comedy – something that still gets awarded to the success of Snake In The Eagles Shadow. Yes, it may come across as cheap looking and somewhat rushed in its production, but Half A Loaf Of Kung Fu is still quite an entertaining piece. I think it's safe to say that Jackie (here) is having a great time, along with all the other cast members who were no doubt glad to work on something a little different with this 'so-called' star whose films weren't exactly ground-breaking. It must have felt like a breath of fresh air to some degree, with young filmmakers delivering some wild slapstick among the fun kung-fu fights...

 

Jackie meets a collection of co-stars on his journey from rascal to hero, both on the side of good and evil. One of those is the brilliant Dean Shek, a name and face that needs no introduction to fans of kung-fu cinema. Having already been in the business for a good decade before this, Dean had starred in many comedy roles over the years while sharing the screen with many big stars like Jimmy Wang Yu, Angela Mao Ying, Michael Hui, and a host of other Shaw Brothers stars. He even starred in a few films prior to this with a younger Jackie Chan playing bit-parts in the likes of The Golden Lotus, All In The Family, and No End Of Surprises. Of course, this would be followed up with a role in Spiritual Kung Fu and over-shadowed by his roles in Snake In The Eagles Shadow and Drunken Master (with Shek appearing in 13 roles in 1978 overall) of course, before he would return with Jackie to Lo Wei productions as the hilarious undertaker in Fearless Hyena. His turn as the farting beggar is hardly one of his best, but it does prove memorable and makes for a few good laughs. Veteran actor Lee Man Tai stars as the old beggar and teacher to both Chan and Shek. Starting in the business around the same time as the latter, Lee starred in a host of movies as well as the aforementioned early films with Jackie and starring as the Devil Monk in Killer Meteors, a fighter in To Kill With Intrigue, a monk in Spiritual Kung Fu, an abbot in Magnificent Bodyguards, and an old beggar in Snake & Crane Arts Of Shaolin. Of course, this production led right off that one with stars and director all sticking around for the fun. Obviously director Chen Chi Hwa took a liking to the actor and had him appear in his other titles such as The Face Behind The Mask, 36 Crazy Fists, and Dance Of Death – all of which Jackie had a hand in to some degree, with the pair going on to work together for many years on Jackie's own modern hits. The great James Tien stars as the double-crossing bodyguard to Escort Fong, getting to let loose a few times and pretty much followed a similar path to that of Lee Man Tai and Dean Shek, as well as getting to co-star with Bruce Lee in The Big Boss and Fist Of Fury. Lee Hae Ryong stars as Escort Fong, more popularly known to Chan fan's as the blind abbot in Spiritual Kung Fu, and the wonderful Doris Lung Chun Erh stars as his daughter. Having starred a couple of years before with Jackie in Shaolin Wooden Men, it was nice to see her return for a more fun role and get to kick some ass at the same time – although she probably didn't have as much fun as her time spent on the hilarious 18 Bronzegirls Of Shaolin which was also made the same year. Aside from Julie Lee Chi Lun playing Lady Mui, Korean actress and tiny super-kicker Kim Jeong Nan – who had just appeared alongside Chan in Snake & Crane Arts Of Shaolin – completes the trio of starlets who each bring their own thing to the film. Jeong Nan plays the sister to the real Whip Hero and gets to show off her fighting skills a few times, with some great moves in the final battle. And then of course there is the wonderful Kam Kong, the star of many classic titles such as The Blazing Temple, One-Armed Boxer Vs. The Flying Guillotine, The Flash Legs, Iron Monkey, and 18 Bronzegirls Of Shaolin (with Doris Lung), as well as Shaolin Wooden Men and Snake & Crane Arts Of Shaolin with Jackie and Chen Chi Hwa. Here, Kam plays the the Man With 1000 Faces who saves the most of what he has on offer, for the big finale.

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While Jackie himself doesn't get to show some real kung-fu abilities until the extensive end battle, he still takes part in a number of humorous fights throughout his journey - happy to poke fun at himself and his true fighting skills. Jackie choreographs plenty of fun battles for his co-stars trying to mostly avoid camera trickery and wire-work, in order to keep the majority of the combat very grounded. In fact, one of his jokes relates exactly to that and sees him flapping like a chicken every time he jumps around. Obviously, the best is saved for last, which sees every main character arrive in the one location to fight it out and get their hands on the Evergreen Jade Pieces and Soul Pill. Part of that fight includes Jackie using Doris as a weapon – a trick he would improve on and recreate in Wong Jing's City Hunter, with Chingmy Yau. Another great moment sees him pulling the pony-tailed wig from the head of Kam Kong before using it in the style of nunchucka's, which always gets me going. Jackie's last 5 minutes in battle consists of him reading the scattered pages of a kung-fu manual completely in the wrong order, while trying to dodge strikes by Kong and deliver the moves on the page. It's a hilarious addition to the final bout and has Jackie written all over it! Half A Loaf Of Kung Fu may not be the best film ever made or offer the greatest of martial arts action, but it is an important piece of Jackie Chan's filmography and offers a lot of fun moments as well as proving to be an entertaining kung-fu comedy overall. Perhaps, for me, there's a massive amount of nostalgia attached to it all, but there's no denying this newly restored version has given fans a better look at what Chen and Chan really wanted to offer – not to mention the chance to enjoy the first real Jackie Chan kung-fu comedy in its full glory!

 

Overall: Lots of fun and packed with enough kung-fu, comedy and charm, Half A Loaf Of Kung Fu is a highly enjoyable classic!

 

88 Films Blu-ray Extras: Audio Commentary by Mike Leeder & Arne Venema, Trailers, TV Spot

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Eastern Heroes DVD Extras: Trailers

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Watch my unboxing video of this 88 Films release HERE