Release Year: 1980

‘The 36th Chamber Of Shaolin’ was a definite achievement in the genre, but this follow-up has its own charm as well.

‘Snake Deadly Act’ is a typical example of a good, but not great independent kung fu flick.

While it’s about as textbook as late 70s early 80s kung fu flicks can get, ‘Super Power’ is a slick fight action flick.

‘The Buddha Assassinator’ offers little new in terms of storyline or narrative twists. What it does offer though is some top-quality action from a very able set of actors and another classic stand-off between hero and villain.

Unfortunately, for veterans of old-school flicks, the choreography on display here is nothing new, and a lot of it takes place in the dark, which makes it less than easy to follow.

The result is every bit as wonderful and awful as it sounds, a quite dizzying display of opportunism and ineptitude that has to be seen to be believed. Essential.

‘The Convict Killer’ is held together by the confidence of the man behind the lens and the excellent cast gathered together.

Few genre films have achieved the cult status that ‘The Crippled Masters’ has and, thanks to a lovely remastered release from Film Masters, it can finally reach a wider audience.

Ultimately, ‘The Fighting Fool’ is so captivating because, alongside the superlative action, there is a real chemistry between the two leads.

‘Flag Of Iron’ is a good film in nearly all of its departments and therefore earns a strong recommendation.

For anyone who wants a change from the late-70s kung fu comedy cycle, ‘The Heroes’ is a film that is heartily recommended.

Though the comedy is perhaps too obtrusive at times and does little to advance the film, there is lots to offer fans of the genre.