EAGLE’s CLAW (1978) was released in the wave of dubbed martial arts films that filled North American cinemas during the late 1970’s, and then resurfaced on syndicated networks as part of the Black Belt Theater series. Most of the classic martial arts films shown on Black Belt Theater were cheesy and poorly constructed movies. Occasionally, a worthy classic like EAGLE’s CLAW could be seen. In the 1980’s when home video impacted the movie market, a company called Ocean Shores snagged the rights to hundreds of these chopsocky films and flooded the market with their pan ’n scan VHS atrocities. Well, after all these years Ocean Shores has retained the rights to these films, but seldom have they done them justice. In 2000, they partnered with Tai Seng to release a budget DVD sub-line called Martial Arts Theater. Though the bulk of these releases are shoddy pan’n scan transfers, EAGLE’s CLAW is worthy of notice because it is presented uncut in its original widescreen ratio.

Don (NINJA THUNDERBOLT) Wang stars as Lee Cheh, the hand-picked successor of the Eagle Claw martial arts school. Chi Kuan (THE INVINCIBLE ONE) Chung is Chen Tsung, the traitorous student of the respected Eagle Claw school. Yi (PRODIGAL BOXER 2) Chang portrays the villainous Chao Ma Wu, master of the Praying Mantis style. EAGLE’S CLAW is directed by veteran genre specialist, Tso Nam Lee, who is also responsible for Kung Fu classics like EXIT THE DRAGON, ENTER THE TIGER, CHALLENGE OF DEATH, and THE HOT, THE COOL, AND THE VICIOUS.

Chinese Kung Fu has a long history and many factions. Some factions stress physical exercise, others stress improving the mind. Eagle’s Claw Kung Fu stresses both. The style is based on the stalking and killing techniques used by eagles to obtain their prey. Eagle’s Claw Kung Fu is exclusive to one school. The master of this school is an old wiseman named Yun Cheng. He has a bitter rivalry with an old opponent, Chao Ma Wu (Yi Chang), who now holds an important position within the Ching army. The evil Chao Ma Wu is a master of the Mantis Fist style, and is formidable with the Eagle’s Claw techniques, too. Chao Ma Wu leads his disciples in a mission to destroy the Yun Cheng’s Eagle Claw school. The two old masters immediately begin dueling, as their students and disciples look on. After high intensity sparring, both men stop fighting because they are damaged internally. Chao Ma Wu returns to his palace, confident that his rival’s internal injuries will eventually kill Yun Cheng.

Two of Yun Cheng’s top students, Lee Cheh (Don Wang) and big brother Chen Tsung (Chi Kuan Chung) tend to their injured master. The old one is near death, and in front of his entire school, he proclaims Lee Cheh his successor. Lee Cheh is to marry Yun Cheng’s daughter (Hwa Ling), educate the students, and carry on the good name of the Eagle Claw school. Yun Cheng gives Lee Cheh an ancient book containing the oldest secrets of the Eagle’s Claw techniques, including moves that have never been taught to anyone. However, Yun Cheng’s oldest student, Chen Tsung, is bitter he did not get named as the successor. After drinking too much liquor, he bursts in the door of his frail master to question his judgment. The other students run in after him to find Yun Cheng’s lifeless body in the arms of Chen Tsung. Lee Cheh accuses Chen Tsung of killing their master. After Chen Tsung admits to the horrendous act, the entire school proclaims him a traitor, which is punishable by death. But Chen Tsung is a talented martial artist, and he fights his way out of the Eagle Claw school.

When Chao Ma Wu hears that Chen Tsung has turned his back on the Eagle’s Claw school, he schemes of a way to recruit Chen Tsung into his own entourage. He sends his disciples to influence Chen Tsung, but the traitor refuses the invitation. When Chen Tsung is forced to return to Chao Ma Wu’s palace, the master of the Mantis Fist begins tempting Chen Tsung to turn him fully to the dark side. Chao Ma Wu offers to teach him the secret of the Mantis Fist technique, and in exchange Chen Tsung will help Chao Ma Wu to kill the students of the Eagle’s Claw school. Furthermore, Chen Tsung will become the new head of the school and run it according to Chao Ma Wu’s wishes. To prove Chen Tsung’s loyalty, Chao Ma Wu captures three members of the Eagle’s Claw school and forces Chen Tsung to kill them (he uses a knife to stab his old school mates). Meanwhile, Lee Cheh has discovered this new unholy alliance and their upcoming assault on their school. He begins teaching the students the secret styles contained in the book of the Eagle’s Claw. But will the remaining students learn the Eagle Claw’s secret techniques in time to stop the combined forces of Chao Ma Wu and Chen Tsung?

EAGLE’S CLAW ranks as a must-see for fans of classic Kung Fu movies. The plot and script are much better than the average chopsockey flick. Screenwriter Chang Hsing Yi includes a fair amount of mystery and intrigue into the script. He includes a twist ending that makes total sense, but believe me, you won’t see it coming. The characters are more defined than characters of this ilk. The script is nearly devoid of laughs, so don’t expect any cheesy humor. For history buffs, Chang Hsing Yi also incorporates some political commentary into EAGLE’S CLAW. Besides the rivalry between Yun Cheng and Chun Ma Wu, these characters represent the two factions of China. Chun Ma Wu wears bright red and he represents the Ching Dynasty (the corrupt government). Yun Cheng and the Eagle’s Claw school represent the revolution (the people’s rebellion). Another interesting theme running through EAGLE’S CLAW concerns the traitorous character Chen Tsung. Chun Ma Wu is the true menace, and he lures Chen Tsung into his organization like the devil himself. These scenes play out like RETURN OF THE JEDI, where Luke Skywalker is tempted to join the dark side. Chun Ma Wu lures the confused youngster into selling his soul and joining the ranks of Chun Ma Wu’s disciples.

The movie opens with an excellent introduction that gives the viewer a brief look at the Eagle’s Claw technique and the history of the style. For the uninitiated, the Eagle’s Claw style is a real form that is still taught today. Anyway, the introduction is great for viewers who are strangers to the bizarre world of Kung Fu films. The fight choreography is complicated and realistic thanks to fight choreographer, Tommy Lee. He is a true master of the martial arts, and he has been in a slew of quality martial arts films like THE HOT, THE COOL, AND THE VICIOUS. Lee is usually a villain in most of his roles. Speaking of villains, Chang Yi should go down in the record books as one of the slyest, vilest, and stylish Kung Fu villains of all time. Besides being a slimebag, he’s very cerebral and larger than life, like a James Bond villain. The entire EAGLE’S CLAW cast perform well enough, though much of the acting is lost in the English translation.

-  Tony Mustafa 

EAGLE'S CLAW is available from HKFlix.com

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