Blu-ray Synopsis: From director Mar Lo (Shaolin Thief), and starring Siu-Tung Ching (The Shaolin Boxer) comes this fast-moving Wuxia classic from the legendary Shaw Brothers studio. When prisoner Ching is given half of a wooden keepsake by a one eyed-master about to be executed, he breaks out of prison to go in search of the other half to discover its purpose. However, on his quest he is pursued by a gang leader who will also stop at nothing find out its secrets. Embroiling mystical promise, an adventurous journey and a search for the truth into its winding storyline, Monkey Kung Fu AKA Stroke Of Death is a uniquely satisfying late seventies delve into the magical world of martial arts Hong Kong cinema. (93 Mins)

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Views: After being jailed for murder, Wei Chung is forced to share a cell with a feared death-row prisoner called Ma Siu Tien who is highly skilled in the art of monkey kung-fu. But during his time there, Wei stands-up to the one-eyed man and gains respect from his cell-mate for doing so. Because of their new-found friendship, Ma passes half of a wooden medal to Wei on the eve of his execution – with orders to find the person with the other part. The following day, Wei manages to escape with a fellow prisoner named Zhou (of whom he is chained to). As the pair try in many ways to break free from their chain, a man called Tung Hei Fung and his fighters begin their search for Wei to take back the wooden medal that he was given. As they win fight after fight and try to stay one step ahead of Tung and his men, Wei soon learns that Zhou holds the other piece of the medal. Together, the new friends must learn the art of the drunken monkey to prepare themselves for a showdown with Tung and a fight to the death!

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While I can easily confess to being a huge fan of Tony Ching Siu Tung, I must admit that I never knew of this Shaw Brothers production until it was announced by UK label, 88 Films, as one of their new releases. But I'm glad they did, because as simple as the plot is, Monkey Kung Fu is a highly enjoyable kung-fu comedy that oozes the same energy and exciting physicality as films such as Snake In The Eagles Shadow, Knockabout, Fearless Hyena, Crystal Fist, and many more. Written by the prolific Szeto On and director Lo Mar, Monkey Kung Fu isn't exactly hard to follow and is all about showing-off the martial skills and gymnastics of its main cast. Of course, that's an easy task when you have the incredible Tony Ching Siu Tung as your leading man – making his debut here in his first full-featured role and coming across very similar to that of Yuen Biao in Knockabout. Tony Ching was born into the industry as the son of famed Shaw Brothers director, Cheng Kang, the man behind titles such as The Sword Of Swords, 14 Amazons, Flying Guillotine 2, and Trilogy Of Swordsmanship. After starting as an extra and bit-player in the late 60s, Ching started working behind the scenes as a choreographer on some of his fathers films and more, and by the time Monkey Kung Fu had come about he had appeared in well over 25 films including bit-parts in films such as Come Drink With Me, 14 Amazons, Hapkido, Superior Youngster, The Shaolin Boxer, The Tournament, The Tea House, and more. But his starring roles were destined to go as fast as they had come with Ching starring in a handful of flicks over a two year period including Snake Shadow Lama Fist, He Who Never Dies, Disco Bumpkins, Young Outcasts, and the brilliant Master Strikes. But only a few years later, Tony Ching Siu Tung would cement his name as a Hong Kong director to watch out for when he made his directorial debut in 1983 with the incredible, Duel To The Death – doubling-up as the action-choreographer also which quickly saw him booked by every major film-maker in Hong Kong as their go-to guy. While he has only directed 18 titles to date – including A Chinese Ghost Story 1-3, Swordsman 1-3, Dr. Wai & The Scripture With No Words, Naked Weapon, and An Empress & The Warriors – Ching has choreographed the action on hit films such as A Better Tomorrow 2, The Killer, City Hunter, Peking Opera Blues, New Dragon Gate Inn, A Chinese Odyssey 1 & 2, Butterfly & Sword, Future Cops, Hero, House Of Flying Daggers, The Warlords, and so many more. For Monkey Kung Fu, Ching is joined by Hau Chiu Sing, a footballer-turned-actor that made his debut in the Wilson Tong penned and choreographed Snake In The Monkeys Shadow. While this would come in as his second feature, Hau would go on to star in the brilliant Five Superfighters for director Lo Mar and Shaw Brothers studios, before working on a Billy Chong trilogy with the awesome Crystal Fist, Sun Dragon, and Super Power, before giving his final role as the villainous Tiger Kuo in the fun Shaolin Drunk Fighter. While I've never been a huge fan of the odd-looking guy, I did think that Hau did a good enough job here- although was certainly not a match for the physical skills of his co-star...

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These guys are joined by Kwan Fung who plays the role of the villain, Tung Hei Fung. This would actually only be his fourth starring role after appearing in Lo Mar's films like Magnificent Spearman, The Boxer From The Temple, and Ten Tigers Of Kwantung, but Kwan would continue to stick with the studio for a few years after going-on to star in Five Superfighters soon after before films such as The Fighting Fool, Flag Of Iron, Sword Stained With Royal Blood, Five Element Ninjas, and so much more. He is joined by Chiang Cheng (aka the great Rambo Kong), a popular and talented actor who plays the dual role here of one-eyed prisoner Ma and one of Tung's heavies. After making his debut in the awesome 10 Magnificent Killers, Chiang went onto star in a number of great titles including 36 Crazy Fists, Tigress Of Shaolin, My Kung Fu 12 Kicks, The Fighting Fool, Shaolin Drunk Fighter, and the Hollywood blockbuster Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story as the angry kung-fu chef. He is joined by the wonderful Tony Leung Siu Hung – brother to the fantastic Bruce Leung/Liang, star of Kung Fu Hustle, Gallants, and so much more; both of whom are the sons of famed martial artist/actor/choreographer Leung Siu Chung – who also plays the dual roles of a thug and a fighter for Tung Hei Fung. Working alongside Ching Siu Tung as an extra in films such as his father's 14 Amazons and more, Leung went onto star in over 50 films through to Donnie Yen's Ip Man movies and make a name for himself as the director of films like Thunderclap, Guns Of Dragon, Satin Steel, Superfights, and Bloodmoon with Gary Daniels, as well as being a very sought-after action-choreographer having worked on films like Iron Angels, Magic Crystal, Ip Man, My Heart Is That Eternal Rose, The Tigers, A Fistful Of Talons, Sex & Zen, and much more. In Monkey Kung Fu, Leung doubles-up his duties (or triples) as he provides the wonderful kung-fu action on display alongside star Tony Ching Siu Tung, with both providing a wide range of amazing work. Popular Shaw Brothers bad guy Wan Fat plays the third member of Tung's group of fighters, and delivers plenty of great moves when in action. Having started with the studio as an extra in 1972's brilliant Boxer From Shantung, Wan soon started to make a name for himself as an actor and went on to appear in titles such as The Master Of Kung Fu, Heroes Two, Iron Fisted Monk, 36th Chamber Of Shaolin, Vice Squad 633, Snake In The Monkeys Shadow, and more. Wan would stick around with the team that same year to also star in Five Superfighters before moving onto Seasonal Films Lackey & The Lady Tiger and The Masters Strikes – which would see him star alongside Ching Siu Tung once again. Aside from acting and the odd-role of choreographer, Wan Fat would also work as an assistant director – many of which were for Jackie Chan in films such as Police Story 1 & 2, Project A 2, Armour Of God, Miracles, Dragons Forever, Crime Story, and Drunken Master 2 – as well as on Ching Siu Tung's directorial debut, Duel To The Death back in '83. It was also great to see many other recognisable faces pop-up throughout for some great action moments or cameos such as Benz Kong, Shum Lo, Lam Fai Wong, Lee Chun Wa, David Lam Wai, Sham Chin Bo, and Wong Mei Mei who plays Andy Lau's sister in the wonderful Magic Crystal.

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I really enjoyed Monkey Kung Fu. While it was hardly the greatest film ever made and offered up some hit-and-miss moments of slapstick comedy, it certainly entertained and displayed an incredible amount of physical genius and superb kung-fu that matches the early works of Jackie Chan and others, as mentioned. Director Lo Mar delivered a number of decent titles throughout his career such as the Crazy Bumpkin Quadrilogy, Tiger, Magnificent Spearman, The Boxer From The Temple, Five Superfighters, and Young Hero with Hwang Jang Lee, but he was never considered to be one of the Shaw Brothers finest unlike that of Chang Cheh, Lau Kar Wing, Chor Yuen, and Ho Meng Hua respectively. Regardless, he provides an entertaining piece with this one that is boosted with the presence and talents of his young cast who have all went onto greater things, and I look forward to getting back to Monkey Kung Fu sometime soon!

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Overall: Packed with energy and great choreography, Monkey Kung Fu is a fun watch that highlights the talents of Ching Siu Tung, Tony Leung Siu Hung, and others perfectly!

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88 Films Blu-ray Extras: Audio Commentary with Kenneth Brorsson & Phil Gillon, Interview with Tony Leung Siu Hung, Trailers