''The Iron-Fisted Monk'' (Chinese: 三德和尚与舂米六) is a 1977 Hong Kong martial arts film starring and directed by

Sammo Hung Sammo Hung Kam-bo ( zh, t=洪金寶, j=Hung4 Gam1-bou2; born 7 January 1952) is a Hong Kong actor, martial artist, film producer and director, known for his work in martial arts films, Hong Kong action cinema, and as a fight choreographer for ...

in his directorial debut, who also wrote the screenplay with Huang Feng and Yu Ting. The film co-stars Chan Sing, Fung Hark-On and

Lo Hoi-pang Lo Hoi-pang (born 21 December 1941) is a Hong Kong actor and singer. Lo attended TVB's Training Classes in 1973. Among his classmates are Chow Yun-fat and Ng Man-tat. Lo won the 2012 31st Hong Kong Film Awards for the Best Supporting Actor c ...

. The film was released on 25 August 1977.

Plot

Hawker (

) is sent to the Shaolin temple by the Iron Fisted Monk ( Chan Sing), after he saves Hawker from a beating by the

Manchus The Manchus (; ) are a Tungusic East Asian ethnic group native to Manchuria in Northeast Asia. They are an officially recognized ethnic minority in China and the people from whom Manchuria derives its name. The Later Jin (1616–1636) and ...

. After being trained by his master ( James Tien) he runs away from the temple, only to be confronted by his master and forced to take the four tests. Whilst this is happening, an official (Fung Hak-on) is indulging in his passion for raping women, and is virtually above the law as he is a powerful Manchu officer. He begins by raping Liang's (

) sister (Chu Ching), who then commits suicide and makes Liang a very angry man. Liang takes his revenge by killing one of those pesky Manchus but everyone thinks Hawker is responsible. Both Liang and Hawker go to meet the Iron Fisted Monk who convinces Hawker to teach all the workers at the dye factory kung fu, so they can defend themselves against the Manchus. The final act involves the Manchus' butchering of the workers from the dye factory, kill Liang's wife and Liang's mother (Liang's wife was raped before being killed). When Liang eventually dies from his wounds, both Hawker and the Iron Fisted Monk swear vengeance on the Manchus and it is delivered.

Cast

as Hawker * Chan Sing as Monk Sam Tak (The Iron Fisted Monk) * Fung Hark-On as Official *

as Liang * Chu Ching as Liang's sister * Chu Ching as Ah Chen, Liang's wife * Wang Hsieh as Rapist's boss *

Dean Shek Dean Shek (17 June 1949 – 20 September 2021), also known as Dean Shek Tin, was a Hong Kong film actor and producer with over 72 film credits to his name. Shek was perhaps best known as Professor Kai-hsien in the 1978 film ''Drunken Master'', ...

as Manchu * James Tien as Hawker's instructor (cameo) *

Wu Ma Fung Wang-yuen (22 September 1942 – 4 February 2014), better known by his stage name Wu Ma, was a Hong Kong actor, director, producer and writer. Wu Ma made his screen debut in 1963, and with over 240 appearances to his name (plus 49 directoria ...

as Miss Chuen's client (cameo) * Lam Ching-ying as Shu-liu worker * Casanova Wong as Shaolin disciple *

Eric Tsang Eric Tsang Chi-wai (; born 14 April 1953) is a Hong Kong actor, film director, producer, and television host, best known for hosting the variety show '' Super Trio series'' on the Hong Kong television network TVB over 18 years. He currently hol ...

as Shu-liu worker *

Chung Fat Chung Fat was born on (December 2nd, 1953) and is a native of Guangdong, He is also a Hong Kong film actor, choreographer, producer and director. He primarily stars in jiangshi fictions and martial art movies . Performing experience Chung Fat ...

as Shu-liu worker * Fung Fung as Brother worker *

Mars Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun and the second-smallest planet in the Solar System, only being larger than Mercury. In the English language, Mars is named for the Roman god of war. Mars is a terrestrial planet with a thin at ...

as Shu-liu worker * Lai Man as Liang's mother (*) Note: There are two different actresses named Chu Ching in the film. One portrays Liang's wife and the other portrays Liang's sister.

Release

The film grossed HK$2,283,594.40 during its 15-week theatrical run. It was released on DVD on 29 October 2001 in the UK and 7 September 2004 in the US. The Hong Kong version of the film contains a longer version of the rape of Liang's wife than the American release.

Reception

Almar Haflidason of ''

BBC Online BBC Online, formerly known as BBCi, is the BBC's online service. It is a large network of websites including such high-profile sites as BBC News and BBC Sport, Sport, the on-demand video and radio services branded BBC iPlayer and BBC Sounds, t ...

'' rated it 4/5 stars and recommended it to Sammo Hung fans. J. Doyle Wallis of ''

DVD Talk DVD Talk is a home video news and review website launched in 1999 by Geoffrey Kleinman. History Kleinman founded the site in January 1999 in Beaverton, Oregon. Besides news and reviews, it features information on hidden DVD features known as ...

'' rated it 3.5/5 stars and wrote, "''Iron-Fisted Monk'' moves briskly with some solid fights and a decent story." David Johnson of '' DVD Verdict'' wrote, "A lackadaisical start gives way to a relentless hand-to-hand spectacle of zaniness."

References

External links