Another Shaw Brothers classic directed by Chang Cheh. This one is neither as violent or as iconic as some of the director's other films, but it still a completely entertaining movie, running the usual plot lines with finesse and efficiency. One thing I found about the film was that the characters were once again more involved than in your usual martial arts film. Each takes an opposing stand on the side of good or evil and the mix of loyalty and adversity is a good one. The plot involves the usual treachery and deceit, mixed in with plenty of action so that there's nary a dull moment.Most of the Venoms are present in the cast here, albeit with the likes of Phillip Kwok missing. Lu Feng has a typically strong role and Chiang Sheng is as goofy and likable as ever. I always get a kick out of seeing Sun Chien in these films too. The fight sequences, when they come, are outstanding. There are tournaments and tests of strength here, and things inevitably build to a splendid climax in which multiple heroes and villains do battle on a big scale. The usual violence is present, with opponents being castrated and impaled by needles and flying daggers and the usual blood spray stuff. The choreography is outstanding and once again this is a highlight of the genre.

This is a fine example of the fast-paced, extravagant martial arts choreography that is the trademark of the venom mob. There is a enough fight scenes and brutal deaths throughout the entire movie to keep even the most demanding Chang Cheh-fan satisfied. The story is, as expected, just a mess of righteous, pure-blooded shaolin ming rebels spewing hatred upon the evil Manchurian Qing-government joined by the treacherous Wu Tang-clan. Some noble qing/wu tang-members (who were of course more or less forced to join this heinous bunch) realize that the ming-dynasty is the only true dictatorship for the Han-race and switch sides in secret. Who's who and what is really accomplished, I'm not sure of even after repeated viewing. What I am sure of though, is that the action is plenty and of very high standard. It's not the best venom movie out there, but it's pretty close. The last fight is reasonably long and the final death scene (ok everyone dies in this movie, I'm not kidding) is awesome. Highly recommended and well worth a place in your Kung Fu-movie collection if you stumble upon it.

Two Champions of Shaolin, what can I say that hasn't been said already from the previous comments.Once the Venoms get together to star in or even make a movie, good things turn out. I love the fact of them calling Lo Meng the Chinese Hercules, it added flare to his characters' persona. Again death and mayhem ends the movie as usual, but not before some all out goodness. The last time I saw this movie I was about 7 years old. And the best thing about this movie is everything.If you are a Venom fan, and a kung fu movie buff like myself, then this is a movie that is a must see and definite must have. You will not be disappointed.

I had some problems with how dumb they made Lo Meng in this one, :facing a un-known enemy and performing feats of strength as his introduction, again doing the strong-man act later almost to his death. the thing that saved it for me was a lot of good fight scenes, my favorite being the one where Sheng Chiang faces a fighter who over extends his kicks so instead of wasting time or energy he just reaches out and removes his testicles. I do enjoy the Venom gangs movies alot, the best being the ones with Sheng Chiang & Philip Kwok working together in their fights - that is the only thing missing in this film I think.