THE EAGLE KING

(Taiwan 1978) 

Original Title: Da Ying Wang (aka) The Ninja King

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Directed by Karl Liao Chiang Lin Produced by Si Wai Starring: Tsung Hua, Ko Hsiao Pao, Yeh Hsiao Yee, Su Chen Ping, Liu Li Tsu, Shao Lo Hui, Lee Man Tai, Hou Po Wei, Wu Te Shan Reviewing: YouTube Release Genres: Traditional Kung-Fu / Wuxia / Comedy / Drama

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Rating - 1.3 / 5

Synopsis: A renegade Manchurian monk and master of The Golden Bell guillotine kung-fu sends his deadly disciples to China to attack the Ming Government. The Eagle King learns of the raid and sends his students to meet the onslaught head-on, and stop it. (88 Mins)

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Views: This cheap Taiwanese production is so messy on many levels, I found myself fighting to stay awake let-alone care for anything that was going on. It's main story is about a gang of Manchurian monks who make their way to China to kill the king and bring down the Ming government by using their golden bells – a deadly weapon that is based on the flying guillotine. Meanwhile, the Eagle King has heard news of the attack and sends out his best fighters to meet the monks and stop them, amidst a devastating tragedy after a large flood destroyed the local land and nearby towns. It all leads to a crazy showdown where the king's wuxia heroes must defeat the Manchurians before they kill the king!

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The washed-out print and terrible English dub of this Ocean Shores release, doesn't help the fact that The Eagle King is already somewhat of a difficult watch. From its oddly annoying child-actor (Yeh Hsiao Yee) who can burrow underground with no effort whatsoever – backed by the infamous score from Jaws, to its bizarre run of characters and confusing storyline, it's hard to find love for this late 70s production. Shaw Brothers actor and Taiwanese wuxia star, Tsung Hua (aka Chung Wah) leads the group of heroes, although really doesn't get as much screen time as expected. Starting his career in Jimmy Wang Yu's awesome, Return Of The One-Armed Swordsman, Tsung went on to star in many classics such as The Killer, 14 Amazons, The Warlord, and A Massacre Survivor, and was a popular lead for many Taiwanese wuxia flicks until his career started to fade in the early 1980s. The always recognisable Su Chen Ping, actor of over 120 films such as One-Armed Boxer, Beach Of The War Gods, Shaolin Invincible Sticks, and Born Invincible, is pretty much wasted here in his role as an beggar that likes to help when he can, and only gets to fight in the last 10 minutes. Liu Li Tsu co-stars as a cross-dressing villain, with the always popular Lee Man Tai muscling in on the action here and there. Chang Fu Chien gets the majority of the fight action alongside child-actor Yeh Hsiao Yee, and is joined by lesser known femme fatales Lin Mei Ling, from 8 Masters and Kung-Fu Executioner, and Tam Yan Mei from films such as Deadly Snail Vs. Kung Fu Killers, The Gold Connection, and Dennis Law's action-packed Bad Blood.

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While the last 30 to 40 minutes starts to iron itself out, and offer a bit better action (including a fun array of closing fights), it's still not enough to make The Eagle King a bona-fide classic. The golden bell monks only arrive in for the last 5 minutes in a scene that reminded me of the hilarious Bronzegirls Of Shaolin, but it was hardly worth their time. Director Karl Liao Chiang Lin only ever directed 5 features during his 3 years in the industry, and while they could never compete with what was on offer from the upcoming stars and studios in Hong Kong around the same time, the most of them have seen video and DVD releases around the world at some stage since their release to be fair such as Story In Temple Red Lily, Moonlight Sword & Jade Lion, and Dreaming Fists With Slender Hands...

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Overall: A tad messy and a little bonkers, The Eagle King isn't one you need to rush for and one film I don't ever need to see again!