The revered Shaw Brothers Studio the martial arts genre throughout the sixties and seventies. But it was their 1978 film, FIVE DEADLY VENOMS, which took them to the next level in the international arena—and in particular the North American marketplace. When FIVE DEADLY VENOMS was produced, Runme Shaw hired the Shaw Brother’s best filmmaker, Chang Cheh, to write the script and direct (Cheh cut his teeth on Shaw classics like ONE-ARM SWORDSMAN, DUEL OF THE IRON FIST, and DISCIPLES OF DEATH). Then Shaw hired a cast of unknown martial arts performers to portray the Five Venoms. Because of the unique plot, excellent production values, and hard hitting action, FIVE DEADLY VENOMS was a rousing success. The cast members who played the Venoms became superstars overnight. The Shaw Brothers studio capitalized on the success of FIVE DEADLY VENOMS by reuniting director Chang Cheh and the cast members for sequels like RETURN OF THE DEADLY VENOMS (also available on DVD), FIVE KUNG-FU DAREDEVILS, and DESTROYERS OF THE DEADLY VENOMS. Today, even the most casual fans of Kung Fu films know the name FIVE DEADLY VENOMS, in no small part due to rap groups like WU TANG CLAN (who base their music around the films of the Shaw Brothers). Steeplechase, an independent video company specializing in foreign art films, released this martial arts classic on DVD in 2000.

FIVE DEADLY VENOMS features many fresh talents who carved out a niche for themselves in Hong Kong film history. Chiang (KID WITH THE GOLDEN ARM) Sheng is Yan Tien, an apprentice martial arts student hoping to carry out the last wish of his dying mentor. Phil (INVINCIBLE SHAOLIN) Kwok is Captain Lu, whose is also known as the Lizard. Feng (UNBEATABLE DRAGON) Lu is the evil Venom member known only as the Centipede. Wei (LAST HURRAH FRO CHIVALRY) Pai is the other traitorous Venom member, the Snake. Sun (AVENGING WARRIORS) Shien plays the head of the town’s police, Captain Ma; also secretly the deadly Scorpion. The unbelievable Meng (CRAZY SHAOLIN DISCIPLES) Lo portrays the unbeatable venom member, Lei Hung. Lung Lei (DEATH CHAMBER) Wang portrays the corrupt judge.

The old master of the Poison Clan, a highly evolved breed of martial arts masters, is near death. All the students that he has taught over the years ha left his tutelage under mysterious circumstances. The only remaining faithful member of the Poison Clan is the young apprentice Yan Tien (Sheng), who tends to the needs of his dying master. In his last days, the old master comes clean with Yan Tien, and tells him the grim truth of the Poison Clan. In the outside world, the members of the Poison Clan are regarded as honorless outlaws. He informs Yan Tien that over the years he trained 5 students in the various martial arts styles (scorpion, lizard, snake, centipede, and toad). Furthermore, he revealed that the members of the powerful Poison Clan are aware of each others existence, but do not know each other’s identities (since they all wear masks). The old master instructs Yan Tien to go after the Poison Clan to try and to convince them to turn to the side of justice. The old master tells his loyal pupil to seek out an ex-instructor of the Poison Clan, who can help Yan Tien further enhance his martial arts skills.

But before Yan Tien can locate his master’s old associate, the two Venom members known as Centipede (Feng Lu) and Snake (Wei Pei) set a trap for the old guy. Apparently, the old man lives in poverty when in fact he is sitting atop a stash of hidden gold. Centipede and Snake pressure the old guy to turn over his gold, and when he refuses, they kill all his family members in front of him. Then Centipede and Snake kill the guy and escape without the gold. A street vendor witnesses the duo escaping from the murder scene. The local police force, led by Captain Lu (Phil Kwok) and Captain Ma (Sun Shien) are on the case, but they don’t have a clue who is behind the murders. The town judge (Lung Lei Wang) comes down hard on the police force, and threatens to throw them in jail if they do not come up with any suspects. When Yan Tien discovers that the street vendor saw Centipede and Snake commit the brutal acts of murder, he informs Captain Ma. Captain Ma in turn informs his friend, Lei Hung, the Toad Venom. Centipede and Snake hide at the wealthy palace of Snake (he’s rich and spoiled). When the police go to confront the duo there, Lei Hung attacks the Centipede and beats him—allowing the police to easily capture him.

Meanwhile, the Snake uses his money to bribe the judge, and the street merchant. Captain Ma and Captain Lu bring the Centipede to stand trial for the murder he committed. But the street merchant lies and tells the court that he witnessed Lei Hung commit the murders. The judge is on the take as well, and orders the police to throw the innocent Lei Hung inside an iron maiden until he confesses. He doesn’t die, however, and escapes the deadly embrace of that hellish torture device. Lei Hung tries to escape, but the weapons of the unseen Venom member, Scorpion, bring him to his knees. He is taken to the jail, where one of the judge’s flunkies smothers the injured Lei Hung to death. The judge declares Snake and Centipede innocent of all charges, and the duo set about murdering all those who can connect them to the crime. Captain Lu is the only member of the police force outraged at the death of Lei Hung, and he quits the force. The Scorpion is still at large, and no one knows who he is. Yan Tien joins forces with the angry Captain Lu and together they formulate some fighting tactics designed to counteract the fighting abilities of the other Venom members. This leads to the inevitable showdown between the duo of Captain Lu and Yan Tien and the team of Centipede and Snake. Just as they are about to join in battle, the mysterious Scorpion enters the fray. But whose side is he on and what is his agenda?

The key to the success of the original FIVE DEADLY VENOMS is the emphasis on actual plot and characterization. The scripts of your average Kung Fu films introduce stock characters and provide just enough filler between fight sequences. Here, the focus is on the Venom characters (with their flawed personalities) and the intrigue surrounding these individuals. The Snake and Centipede know each other, but do not know the identities of Scorpion, Lizard, and Toad. Lizard and Toad know each other, but don’t know the other Venom members. Each character has different traits, characteristics, strengths, and weaknesses. Therein lies the hook, and the audience learns along with the Yan Tien character, finding out who these different masked men are. The character of the Scorpion is an unknown commodity to everyone. The other Venoms know nothing about him and neither do the audience, as he really only shows up in the conclusion (though he is talked about all through FIVE DEADLY VENOMS). The unknown identities of the Venoms is the main source of intrigue in the film (especially Scorpion’s character). As indicated, the fight aspects are downplayed, and there is the addition of other things you wouldn’t normally expect—like some tense period Courtroom sessions. Just like in today’s justice system, officials can be bought. And if the corrupt judge declares you guilty in this movie, it’s off to the iron maiden you go (and I’m not talking a rock concert here).

The main criticism in fan circles regarding FIVE DEADLY VENOMS is the pacing and lack of fight scenes. While there is some truth to that, let it be known that this is not your average martial arts film. Director Chang Cheh is at his best, and he completely controls the narrative, keeping the build-up scenes fresh and full of tension. There are moments where additional fight scenes are warranted, and other fights that are just too quick. But when the action gets rolling midway through, it never stops. The Kung Fu styles (such as Snake, Centipede, Lizard, etc.) are authentically depicted and should have been used more. Some combat sequences involve some special effects (such as Venom members clinging to walls like spiders) and some primitive wire-work (but not enough to offend purists). The exhilarating fight choreography includes numerous bloody wounds and associated nastiness. Characters are graphically tortured, murdered, and beaten. Horror/gore fans would certainly appreciate the brutality of FIVE DEADLY VENOMS. Adding to this is the bleak atmospheric tone of the production design (like the medieval torture devices, dungeons, and other gothic trimmings).

Having the budget of a Shaw Brothers film behind it, FIVE DEADLY VENOMS shines in numerous areas that most genre films lack. This budget allows for an epic scale in all areas of the production. The sets and costume design, fight choreography, and cinematography are top notch. Besides the visual aspects of the production, Chang Cheh provides dynamic camerawork. The masks worn by the Venoms are also very memorable, but some of them are only glimpsed for a few moments. I noted a strange observation in FIVE DEADLY VENOMS that breaks further traditions in the genre. There is a complete lack of female characters. Most Kung-Fu flicks either have a kick-ass female Kung-Fu character, or at least go the token damsel in distress. Except for citizens in the street, females are no where to be found. I at least like to see some sexy Chinese women somewhere in the thick of things.