Synopsis: Chi Tien Wei has been elected Chief of the Jiang Hu after his three disciples eliminate the most feared fighters in the Jiang Hu, namely: the 'Militant Dragon and Tiger', the 'Devil Stars', and the 'Three Horrid Mice'. However, not everyone is pleased at Wei's appointment as Chief and many anonymous fighters and wizards are sent t upset his household, 'The First Family'. Soon Chi Tien Wei realizes that there is a betrayer within his own house. (93 Mins)

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Views: Although often sold as a Jackie Chan film in the west, The Face Behind The Mask is most definitely not. While the mega-star and greatest action hero in the world does appear (albeit, masked) it's nothing more than a bit-part in what was perhaps his final role as an extra before taking his journey with Lo Wei – of which director Chen Chi Hwa would join him on soon after. He is also not the star or the fight-choreographer, which also tends to be highlighted by distributors (although that's not to say he wasn't allowed to look after his own fight scenes possibly). When Chi Tien Wen (Hu Chi) is elected to be the leader of the martial world, he soon finds out that many other families and fighters are against it. As more warriors and assassins descend upon the 'first family', the master's top three disciples must do their best to protect him, no matter what the cost. But soon, they find that there is a betrayer in the Chi house that leads to fingers being pointed and innocent people being framed. As one disciple sets out to uncover the truth, twist and twist unravels that all lead to an exciting finale of good versus evil...

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Produced by the short-lived Chung Wai Motion Picture Company, whose only other production was A Massacre Survivor (which I really enjoyed), this late 70s wuxia thriller was scripted by Chang Hsin Yi – the same writer behind The Traitorous, 18 Bronzemen, Kung Fu Wonder Child, Shaolin Vs Lama, and other Chen Chi Hwa films like Snake & Crane Arts Of Shaolin, and Dance Of Death. While it was a different time that involved most Hong Kong and Taiwanese kung-fu movies working from the same plot-lines, The Face Behind The Mask offers a bit more of a solid story with many twists and reveals that actually all makes sense in the end, proving to be one of Chen's better directorial efforts. Although he had co-directed Jackie in Shaolin Wooden Men the year before, Chi Hwa continued his relationship with the young star by having him appear here before going on to direct him the following year in Snake & Crane Arts Of Shaolin and Half A Loaf Of Kung Fu – both of which I just love. A few years later and with his newfound stardom behind him, Jackie would return the favour to Chen Chi Hwa by directing the action in 36 Crazy Fists and Dance Of Death with Angela Mao Ying, before bringing him along as an assistant director on many of his modern hits from Young Master onwards!

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The film also benefits from a strong cast starting with its 3 main leads with Shaw Brothers legends Lo Lieh and Yueh Hua joined by King Hu favourite, Hsu Feng. They are backed by Taiwanese stars Miao Tian, Hsueh Han, Lin Chao Hsiung, Hsiao Yao, and popular Hong Kong actor Lee Man Tai who played the Devil Monk in Killer Meteors and the old beggar in Snake & Crane Arts Of Shaolin, as well as starring in many hits such as The Prodigal Son, Last Hero In China, Millionaires Express (Shanghai Express), Magnificent Warriors, and Jackie Chan's fantastic, Miracles. Along with a huge cast of extras, everyone involved gives very good performances that help make The Face Behind The Mask a more solid movie than it is often given credit for. The non-stop kung-fu and swordplay action are handled by Ho Wei Hsiung, bit-part actor of over 150 titles from 8 Dragon Swords to Snuff Bottle Connection, and Kung Fu Emperor to Island Of Fire – with choreographer credits on a lesser amount of titles. While perhaps not the greatest battles of its time, considering what was coming out of Shaw Brothers and Golden Harvest by this stage, Ho still manages to keep viewers attention with clean choreography, speedy moves, and neat camera work which was captured by Taiwanese cinematic veteran, Chen Jung Shu – cinematographer on over 130 films including the majority of Jackie Chan's Lo Wei movies, Dragon Lord, Drunken Tai Chi, Butterfly & Sword, and the aforementioned Island Of Fire.

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Well directed, neatly shot, and nicely written, The Face Behind The Mask continues to entertain today with its great cast and well-choreographed fights. As I say with most of these classic hits, the chance to see it fully restored and on blu-ray would be refreshing and no doubt gain the film the respect it deserves before it gets completely forgotten about. But until then, it still proves to be worth a watch for fans of the leading stars or anyone who fancies a decent, old-school wuxia thriller...

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Overall: Jam-packed with kung-fu and swordplay action, The Face Behind The Mask is a great wuxia thriller with plenty of twists and a great cast!