AVENGING WARRIORS OF SHAOLIN (aka SHAOLIN RESCUERS) came in the wake of the highly successful THE FIVE DEADLY VENOMS (1978). After a long period of bleak and brutal martial arts flicks such as KID WITH THE GOLDEN ARM, MAGNIFICENT RUFFIANS, and INVINCIBLE SHAOLIN, Chang Cheh sought to utilize the charismatic talents of the Venoms actors (Chiang Sheng, Sun Shien, Kuo Chi, Lo Meng, and Lu Feng) in an all-out martial arts comedy. With the exception of Lu Feng (almost always cast as a villain), the other four actors are depicted in a favorable and comical light. Venoms fans were ecstatic to see the other side of their heroes, though many were not happy with the tone of AVENGING WARRIORS OF SHAOLIN, believing Chang Cheh had gone the way of Liu Chia Liang. The movie played in Chinatown theaters across the U.S. during the early 1980’s and went on to became a hot commodity on the VHS bootleg circuit. AVENGING WARRIORS OF SHAOLIN is the debut DVD release from Crash Cinema’s new subsidiary dedicated to Shaw Brothers epics on DVD called Venoms Mob Films. Contrary to Crash Cinema’s regular releases, AVENGING WARRIORS OF SHAOLIN is not widescreen, but at least they release this rarity uncut (which is more than I can say about other Venoms films currently available on DVD).

Two friends work their hands to the bone for their respective bosses who do not appreciate them. Chun Ah-Chin (Lo Mang) produces bean curd for restaurants, and Ying Chi-Po (Kuo Chi) is a waiter. Both men aspire to become Kung Fu fighters for a noble cause, and are ready to put their lives on the line. While they are working doing their thankless repetitive jobs, they practice their martial arts skills, and they have both become proficient using household items as weapons. Meanwhile, the traitorous Shaolin monk Pei Mei has burned the last Shaolin temple in the name of the Manchurians, and seeks to eradicate the last remaining members, including High Priest Chi San, and his acolytes San Te, Fong Sai Yuk, and Hung Sze Kuan (Jason Pai Pao). Pei Mei sends his chief enforcer, Kow Ching Cheung (Lu Feng) and his assassins to kill the Shaolin rebels. In the ensuing confrontation, only Hung Sze Kuan survives along with his old master, Chi San. Hung is wounded however, and Chi San formulates an herbal medicine to return Hung to full strength if he can get a physician to mix the "prescription". Chi San sends the limping Hung away to seek help from Chi San’s former pupil (now a martial arts teacher himself), Teacher Chow. Chu Tsai (Sun Chien) is the best martial artist at Teacher Chow’s school, and because of his mastery of pole fighting, he is ostracized by his jealous classmates. On the day Teacher Chow and his students turn against Chu Tsai and start to beat him mercilessly on the streets, Ying Chi-Po and Chun Ah-Chin lend a hand to save him. They are impressed with Chu Tsai’s pole-fighting skills, and quickly all three men become friends and train together when they are able.

A beleaguered Hung Sze Kuan enters the restaurant where Ying Chi-Po works and asks to find the rebel Han Chi before he crumples into unconsciousness. Ying Chi-Po takes Hung out to the back of the restaurant to rest, and ponders the man’s health and identity. Together, Ying Chi-Po and Chun Ah-Chin determine that this customer is not sick because of the food—he’s the terminally wounded rebel hero, Hung Sze Kuan. They discover the medicine prepared by Chi San and attempt to get a medic to mix the potion to heal him. They don’t have enough cash for the herbs, so they are forced to steal money by whatever means necessary to secure the cash. Once they have the money in hand, and pay for the medicine, they feed it to Hung who soon recovers. Kow Ching Cheung and his crack assassins search the town for any sign of Hung. While the recuperated Hung teaches Chun Ah-Chin and Chu Tsai advanced martial arts skills, Kow Ching Cheung and his men trap them inside the building. But the assassins are observed from afar by Ying Chi-Po who has hooked up with Shaolin rebel Han Chi (Sun Chien). Ying Chi-Po saves his friends by setting the restaurant on fire, sending the villains scurrying for safety. Ying Chi-Po and his comrades escort Hung to an old mill, where they believe they will be safe. But Kow Ching Cheung is not so easily fooled. A quick skirmish between the heroes and Kow Ching Cheung convinces him to call in the Manchurian army as backup, rather than fighting Hung and his companions straight up. The key is keeping the Shaolin patriots from leaving the premises until morning. So the assassins attempt to bluff their opponents, but the wise Hung Sze Kuan doesn’t believe it for a minute. The rebels engage the Manchurian assassins in a life-or death battle, hoping to get the job done before the Manchurian army arrives at dawn!

Each of the Venoms films have had moments of jocularity, but AVENGING WARRIORS OF SHAOLIN offers more humor than any other Venoms film. When I first saw this picture many years ago, I was surprised that Chang Cheh pulled it off. More surprising is that there is still much violence and carnage throughout the movie. The ending of AVENGING WARRIORS OF SHAOLIN is truly downbeat, yet it is funny also. Bask in Cheh’s genius as he balances merriment with grim reality, as only he can do it. AVENGING WARRIORS OF SHAOLIN does have many flaws though, especially in the area of characterization and plotting. The story is merely an excuse for numerous training and fight scenes. The entire sub-plot of Pai Mei conquering the Shaolin temple never comes full circle. Pai Mei’s chief henchman Lu Feng becomes the lead baddie, and the evil Shaolin priest is never shown again. As the fate of the cruel Pai Mei is never explored, the finale of this film becomes anti-climatic. I do like the ending of AVENGING WARRIORS OF SHAOLIN though, and fans wanting to see the ultimate demise of Pai Mei should check out EXECUTIONERS FROM SHAOLIN or FIST OF THE WHITE LOTUS.

For the better part of the movie, the martial arts action is limited to Kuo Chi, Lo Mang, and Sun Chien pitting their skills and wits against each other in a friendly manner. In the last thirty minutes, things really heat up as the entire cast fights against Lu Feng, culminating in an astonishing four-on-one frenzy that you must see to believe. The fight choreography is brimming with weapons of all kinds including swords, staffs, daggers, hammers, forks, and even Xena-type flying rings. As I said, the usual Chang Cheh extreme mayhem. AVENGING WARRIORS OF SHAOLIN also features some great acting opportunities for the Venoms actors (with the exception of the typecast Lu Feng). Lo Mang is a master of the Tiger Fist style which he learns from a mute Kung Fu master. Kuo Chi constantly relives his youth, where he has to spar with his father using kitchen utensils as they dine. Both men lead dull lives, but desire to do something in life besides menial labor. Scenes such as these provide some depth for these characters. Sadly, Sun Chien and Chiang Sheng don’t get as much characterization, but they do get to display their heroics and fighting skills. The always underestimated Sun Chien is really impressive here with his pole fighting sequences. My only nit pick with the casting is the complete lack of women in the movie. I mean, even in most of Chang Cheh’s films he still shows women in the villages and so forth, but there is not a single female to be seen anywhere.