Men of the Hour (1977) Poster

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6/10
Maybe cheap, but at least makes an effort
unbrokenmetal6 April 2007
"Feng yun ren wu" is a movie with a simple story outline: Shang Li is suspected of murder. He runs away, and while the hunters search for him, they have plenty of time to think again. Maybe Shang Li is innocent? Isn't there someone else around with a much better reason to commit that murder? Which takes us into the second half of the movie where much more kung fu fighting takes place than in the first.

Although "Feng yun ren wu" is nothing unusual for the genre, it has two points which make it recommendable. First, Shang Li is not the typical hero with superhuman skills. He knows less about martial arts styles than his opponents and simply strikes with his right fist. Naturally, he needs a lot of determination to cope with this disadvantage! Second, the set design is beautiful for a cheap production. The rooms never look empty, they are very colorful, and the photographer has a couple of creative ideas what he can achieve with an aquarium or transparent curtains. All in all, it's just a cheap kung fu flick, but apparently more effort than usual was put into it, at least by part of the crew.
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6/10
More a drama than a straight kungfu film
phillip-5811 November 2007
Warning: Spoilers
I think some reviewers have misjudged this film. It is not a classic but it is quite a good murder mystery where the role of the detective is played by the clan and its leaders, headed up by Pearl Cheung (Pearl Chang Ling) who plays it straight and even gets to fight with her hair against a whip. The kungfu here harks back to the more fantasy orientated style that was pushed out by directors like Lau Kar Leung in favour of a more realistic style. In this film fighters are still superhuman and there is much use of wires. Today it looks very old fashioned but this film was made in 1977. The use of kung fu in this sort of film is similar to the use of gun play in modern western detective films, to provide action and tension. Some money was obviously spent on the sets and wonderful costumes and the photography is often above average. Charlie Chin (Charlie Chin Chiang Lin) made some good films in his time (including appearing in Eastern Condors, My Lucky Stars, Winners and Sinners) and I think does well as the orphan accused wrongly of killing his master. Lo Lieh is suitably menacing but doesn't get to do much really and the beautiful Nora Miao is just there apparently to be beautiful. Acting credits should go to the madam of the brothel Betty Pei who has a good part and plays it well. How 'Idiot' (played by Charlie Chin) manages to resist all these beautiful women, including Pearl - is just another mystery! I think Betty helps kill Lo Lieh but the Brentwood copy seems to be cut at this stage and its hard to tell why we go from the fight (where 'Idiot' seems to be loosing to Lo Lieh) straight to him paying respect at her grave. The plot has many twists and turns and it is not till right at the end the true murderer is revealed. Enjoy as a drama and it's not a bad film. Think of it as a typical revenge kung fu film and it will seem weak and old fashioned.
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3/10
Characters, but you forgot the Kung-fu
rbrt_hawes14 December 2006
I agree with the general comments of this movie, had the personna of a great kung-fu movie, having many very capable kung-fu characters but never produced. totally left out the end of Lo Lieh's battle, they were very little kung-fu battles but had a good story though. But what i really wanted to say was that; I am a vintage kung-fu fan... If you really want to see "Pearl Cheung" in her most greatest-most deadliest kung-fu movie and which is now one of my all time classics (out of the 500 to 1000+ kung-fu movies that I've seen i give very few that acclaim) then try and see "Fury of The Silver Fox!!!". Don't let a little of the first 15 minutes discourage you. Once she sets out, she's extremely serious!!. She has 2 separate avenges to make. And on her first opponent she arrives so crucial, knocks over the banquet table, resets it with marvelous kung-fu. All i've got to say is, i hope your pause, rewind and slow motion functions works well on your DVD player. until next time, see-ya at the next intermission of Kung-fu theatre.
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