VPD VHS Synopsis: The Manchu Dynasty is overthrown but a conspiracy to restore prevails among those ex-officials still alive. Yi-Kwai, nicknamed the Silver Fox, pays big dividends to gather around him the best fighters from various schools. They assassinate those who participated in the revolution. The Kung-Fu schools are shocked. They nominate Chow Fung, the Eagle, to lead them in face-to-face combat with the Silver Fox and his incredible army of warriors. (83 Mins)

 

Views: Although this IFD, Godfrey Ho directed film has given much of its audience a laugh due to its horrendous dubbing, it should be made clear that Eagle Vs Silver Fox has nothing to with The Secret Rivals movies, or Hwang Jang Lee's character of the same name. In fact, this kung-fu flick started life as a South Korean production originally called Bicheongwon from director Park Yun Gyo – the same man that went on to co-direct Hitman In The Hand Of Buddha with Hwang the following year. As with most kung-fu films of this era, Eagle Vs Silver Fox is a tale of revenge; this time one that tells of a young man's vengeance against the martial-arts master who murdered his father. The brilliant Gwak Mu-Seong – credited here as Mario Chan – does a fantastic job as Lee So; the young man out for revenge. Although he had only starred in 17 titles in under a decade, including classics such as Lone Shaolin Avenger, Four Iron Men, Dynamo, Killer Of Snake Fox Of Shaolin, and Warriors Of Kung Fu, Gwak proves to have the acting chops, the looks, and the moves of any decent kung-fu star. He certainly holds his own here up against the legendary Hwang Jang Lee, and most definitely should have been a much bigger star than he was – ending his short time in the industry with a leading role in Mantis Under Falcon Claws proving to be his last!

 

Although dubbed by Skeletor, former Taekwondo instructor of the Korean Army, Hwang Jang Lee, doubles-up his duties in Eagle Vs Silver Fox as star and action-director; delivering his usual menacing kick-ass performance and a host of excitingly choreographed kung-fu battles. Having already starred in over 30 productions by this stage of his career – many of which had confirmed his status as one of the most feared villains of Hong Kong cinema with roles in films such as The Secret Rivals 1 & 2, Invincible Amour, Snake In The Eagles Shadow, Drunken Master, 36 Deadly Styles, Dance Of The Drunk Mantis, and many more. 1980 was a pretty busy year for the guy with a further 9 or 10 films on the go including Tiger Over The Wall, Challenge Of The Tiger, Lackey & The Lady Tiger, Buddha Assassinator, and the infamous Game Of Death 2: Tower Of Death, and its fair to say that he doesn't disappoint in any of them – even when they are a little daft like this one. Of course, with a film like this it's all about the kung-fu action and Hwang provides plenty of it, complete with a number of his legendary kicks that always prove to be a highlight. From bookend battles to obligatory training sequences, and teahouse showdowns to villainous beatings, fans of old-school kung-fu movies will enjoy what Eagle Vs Silver Fox has to offer – including the vast amount of unintentional humour available.

 

The film also stars Sarah Sit Chi Lin, an actress who I've only ever seen before in Gordon Liu's Raiders Of Buddhist Kung-Fu – who impresses with her martial-arts moves – and a host of recognisable faces from this period of Korean/IFD hybrids such as Nam Chung-Il who appeared in a number of the aforementioned titles with Gwak Mu-Seong, Golden Dragon Silver Snake and Dragon Lee Fights Again with Dragon Lee, and The Secret Rivals alongside co-star Hwang Jang Lee. The bald headed Chiu Chun stars as one of Hwang's fighters and is probably one of the more noticeable faces next to the super-kicker having starred alongside Sammo Hung in classics such as Hand Of Death, The Shaolin Plot, and The Iron Fisted Monk, as well as Jackie Chan's Snake & Crane Arts Of Shaolin and with Hwang once again in Secret Executioners. While it may have been seen as just another kung-fu comedy, that were clearly a dime-a-dozen during this era of martial-arts cinema, Eagle Vs Silver Fox isn't a complete waste of time and makes for a fun 85 minutes if you're just looking for some brainless entertainment with exciting kung-fu action, and an enjoyable grand finale...

 

Overall: Packed with plenty of kung-fu cliches, kick-ass fight scenes, and hilariously dubbed lines, Eagle Vs Silver Fox is a fun ride and doesn't disappoint!

 

VPD VHS Trailers: My Lucky Stars; Black Cobra; Apocalypse Mercenaries; Wheels On Meals