One of the biggest classics of martial arts cinema, the film that started a new subgenre in kung fu cinema , the comedy kung fu cinema and the breakthrough fim for its star, the legendary Jackie Chan...Directed by the legendary Yuen Woo Ping and co-starred by his father Yuen Siu Tien, playing his eternal role as the old beggar drunken master, this film is an example of how a perfect kung fu movie should be made, from the badass opening sequence with Jackie training with a red background behind him , accompanied by a catchy music until the final epic final fight against the great Hwang Jang Lee , the film is a succession of outstanding and very original martial arts sequences accompanied by great doses of humour ..Although that Lau Kar Leung already had used this formula in his directorial debut "The spiritual Boxer" made three years before, however, it was this film the one that gave a new direction to Hong Kong kung fu movies becoming in an instant classic..MASTERPIECE

In a brief prologue we learn that the practitioners of the Eagle Claw technique of kung fu are trying to eliminate those who use the Snake Fist technique; the Eagle Claw master kills the Snake Fist master leaving only two people who know the skill. One is an old man who is frequently mistaken for a beggar; we soon learn how skilled he is when he escapes from a group of debt collectors and fights off the students at a kung fu school. The story's protagonist is Chien Fu; the cleaner at another of the town's kung fu schools. Here he is used as a punch bag by the trainers and students alike. When he meets the old man he gradually learns the Snake Fist technique that will enable him to defeat some of the best kung fu practitioners in the town; but not the master of the Eagle Claw... to do that he will have to learn from a cat!This early Jackie Chan film is a lot of fun; he does a great job as Chien Fu. The fights are stunningly choreographed even if one can often see that a blow doesn't actually hit when we hear it... the sounds that accompany the fights are funny because they are so over the top; the slightest touch sounds like planks being slapped together and his new Cat's Claw technique is always accompanied by the sound of an angry moggy! The story isn't complex but is good enough... who needs a complex story when we have aged kung fu masters and a Russian missionary who has a blade in his crucifix! While Chan is the obvious star of the film there is also a fine performance from Yuen Siu Tien, who plays his elderly mentor. Fan's of Jackie Chan's later work are sure to enjoy this; it might not be as polished but nobody watching this will be surprised that he went on to become a star.

Snake in the Eagle's Shadow is a 1978 Hong Kong martial arts action film classic that launched his meteoric career of Jackie Chan.Showcasing with imaginative kung fu styles together with powerful choreography and innovative training sequences, it is a revelation of the overwhelming physical talents of the world's number one Chinese action star. The movie is the story of Chien Fu (Jackie Chan),an orphan adopted by a kung-fu school.He,too is overworked as their janitor and abused by the kung fu teachers as a walking punching-bag. He befriends an old beggar (Yuen Siu Tien in an unforgettable role) by offering him a meal and a place to stay. Unknown to him, the old beggar is actually the last surviving master of the Snake-style of kung fu. The old man is on the run from the Eagle Claw clan, which is viciously killing off all of the rival Snake-style kung fu masters. Realizing that Chien is being abused, the old man teaches him the footwork of snake style which enables one to avoid an opponent's attacks.The film has great action sequences.These delights the audience especially those who are interested in martial arts. Aside from that,it provides entertainment the beginning to end.Notable in the film is the great chemistry between Jackie Chan and Yuen Siu Tien.Also commendable is the direction of Yuen Woo-ping,who has done great films after these such as Iron Monkey, Fist of Legend, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, The Matrix series, Kill Bill and The Forbidden Kingdom.

I'm no fan of animal cruelty (anyone who can casually take the life of an animal, I'm convinced, would have no compunction whatsoever killing a fellow human being), SNAKE IN THE EAGLE'S SHADOW boasts what must be a first: a toe-to-toe slugfest between a cat and a cobra. The cobra must've been devenomed: at one point, he's wrapped around the cat, who goes leaping wildly through the air trying to dislodge him; it seems hard to believe that that cobra couldn't have bitten the cat at that point- but the cat wins! (If, like myself, you're fond of cats- and the only people who aren't are the people who haven't raised one of their own- I highly recommend CAT'S THE MOVIE- but avoid CATS AND DOGS, the Disney movie from a couple of years back, at all costs: it's nothing less than Evil.) The aforementioned feline proves inspirational to Jackie Chan and he begins to incorporate some of its moves into his own kung fu fighting style. Well crafted in the extreme, SNAKE IN THE EAGLE'S SHADOW is one of the better early Chan entries.