Before Wu Ma achieved mainstream success with action comedies like MR. BOO MEETS POM POM, KICKBOXER (1993), and FOX LEGEND, he toiled in the Hong Kong film industry for years, lending his considerable talent to the Shaw Brothers studios (having directed 7 BLOWS OF THE DRAGON 1 & 2, MANCHU BOXER, and WRATH OF THE SWORD) and later various independents. Even with his eventual departure from the Shaw Brothers in the late seventies, his independent Kung Fu productions continued the epic scope and themes of brotherhood and sacrifice he established with his stint at the Shaw studios. For his 1980 film, THE HEROES, Wu Ma recruited many Shaw Brothers stars including his close friend Ti Lung, Chan Hui Man (CHINESE SUPER NINJAS, BLOODED TREASURY FIGHT, THE EIGHT ESCORTS), Shih Szu (THE AVENGING EAGLE, THE LEGEND OF THE SEVEN GOLDEN VAMPIRES, THE REVENGER), ‘Flashlegs’ Dorian Tan Tao Liang (CHALLENGE OF DEATH, THE EIGHT ESCORTS, THE BOXER’S ADVENTURE) and future Hong Kong superstar Danny Lee, star of about a million cop dramas. Wu Ma also casts himself in the film as a helpless Shaolin prisoner. THE HEROES is one of the higher quality Kung Fu sagas to emerge from Tai Seng’s Martial Arts Theater collection.

Ti Lung is Kao Fei Ying, a former Shaolin leader who abandoned his temple to take up residency with the Ching Dynasty. The Ching Emperor (Chan Hui Man), intent on destroying the Shaolin Temple once and for all, gives Kao the rank of Marshall, and uses Kao’s considerable talents to strike a fatal blow to the oppressed people of ancient China. However, Kao has not really abandoned his people or his faith—he is attempting to ingratiate himself into the Ching hierarchy, so he can position himself to assassinate the Emperor when the time is right. But in order to fulfill his self-appointed mission, Kao must convince the Chings that he is a true turncoat. He does this by bullying, killing, and torturing his Shaolin brothers to the point they brand him a traitor. The Emperor gives the command to wipe out all the Shaolin Temples in the land, and Kao himself leads the Ching soldiers against his compatriots. After the slaughter of many Shaolin followers and the death of the chief Abbot, the remaining members are rounded up like cattle. The Emperor plans to execute the survivors, but Kao intervenes on their part; insisting that he must torture them instead. The proud Shaolin prisoner Brother Chao (Tan Tao Liang) takes an oath to avenge his fallen comrades by killing Kao. The prisoners are sent to a torture dungeon in the catacombs where Kao begins to inflict pain on them. The Emperor’s daughter, Princess Shui Lang (Shih Tzu) takes a keen interest in Kao when she observes him engaged in artistic endeavors after a tough day in the torture dungeon. She ponders what kind of man Kao really is. Meanwhile, members of the Ming Rebellion (who sympathize with the Shaolin) amass, and prepare to map out a plan to strike back at the Emperor.

Kao tries to maintain his illuson by torturing his brothers and demanding that they become soldiers for the Ching Army. Finally, one prisoner comes forth and declares he wants to join the Ching and live rather than die with his brothers. Kao rewards the traitor by killing him in cold blood. This act is noticed by others in the Royal Court, who question Kao’s motives. Princess Shui Lang continues to keep tabs on him. At the prodding of these Ching officials, The Emperor finally confronts Kao about his intentions. The Emperor forces him to face off with Brother Chao. They fight a savage battle, and Brother Chao nearly defeats Kao until the guards intervene. Kao hesitates to deliver the death blow, until he is forced to kill Brother Chao to maintain his deception. Princess Shui Lang takes a romantic interest in Kao. When the Ming underground discover the death of Brother Chao, they prepare to launch an assault against the Chings. Some prisoners in the Ching dungeons escape, and soon a revolt takes place. While this is occurring, the Emperor once again levels charges at Kao. This time Kao finally comes clean and warns the Emperor of his eventual downfall. But this Emperor is a true warlord, who is well-versed in Kung Fu. Kao and the Emperor begin their battle, as the Ching soldiers try to defend against the rioting prisoners. Suddenly, the Ming Revolutionaries attack! This final struggle is a no-win situation for Kao, as he must defeat his Ching adversaries—yet the revolutionaries have branded him a traitor, and seek to end his life…

Wu Ma really hit his peak around the same time as Lau Kar Wing (the late seventies) and this film benefits from his masterful directorial ability. THE HEROES also benefits from having a multi-layered script by screenwriter I. Kuang, who wrote hundreds of the best Shaw Brothers movies. They say that Kuang has the midas touch, and I have to agree. His script is not only highly political, but also deals with the themes of brotherhood, honor, and especially sacrifice. In flashbacks, a young Ti Lung listens intently as the wise Shaolin Abbot lectures him on nobility and sacrifice. THE HEROES is basically one long undercover movie, with Ti Lung attempting to keep the facade going. He is a man with a mission, and being considered a traitor to complete his mission is a small price to pay. But we as the audience wonder how soon he will crack. Once suspicion is cast upon him, he is forced to brutally murders his own comrades. We wonder just how far he will go. At the same, there are the subplots about the worsening conditions in the prison (triggering the eventual revolt) and the Ming uprising. Classic Kuang stuff to be sure. The only one area where Kuang’s talent falters is in the way he depicts women. His scripts always contain throwaway roles for women that never culminate in a fight nor a closed story arc. For instance, the gorgeous Shih Tzu is a capable actress, and quite a skilled fighter. She is wasted as Ti Lung’s love interest, Princess Shui Lang. Tzu injects some nobility into her role, but the relationship goes absolutely nowhere, and the character is quickly forgotten when all hell breaks loose at the conclusion of THE HEROES.

THE HEROES also features a great cast, creative Kung Fu choreography, and a high level of violence. Ti Lung excels as Kao Fei Ying in one of his best non-Shaw Bros. role. The whole undercover angle, which Ti Lung pulls off brilliantly, would be ineffective in less capable hands. Chen Hui Man is regal and cunning as the Ching Emperor who is also the greatest fighter in his own army. Tan Tao Liang gives one of his best performances as the tormented inmate, Brother Chao. His heroic death scene in the film is reason enough to see this film. Danny Lee had not yet matured into the actor he would eventually become, but he holds his own as a brooding Ming revolutionary who plots to overthrow the Ching. THE HEROES contains some supreme martial arts choreography, which Ric Meyers notes as ‘too slow’ in the audio commentary. On the contrary, that couldn’t be further from the truth. The fighting in the film is conducted in real-time, and is very natural and believable. It is not flashy nor over-choreographed like a Jackie Chan film. This is the way it should be. Wu Ma studied at the altar of Chang Cheh, and he fills THE HEROES full of violence and bloodshed. There is also a strong exploitation element as well, with things like torture scenes and corpses strewn everywhere. Ma combines his strong directorial skills with some great camera work to ensure that this is superior than your average zoom-fest. THE HEROES is at times a very bleak movie, and Ma should be congratulated for instilling much emotion into the plot.

• RUNNING OUT OF TIME
• DRAGON INN
• ARMAGEDDON
• THE DUEL
• FIST POWER
• DEADFUL MELODY

There is also the requisite 30-second Martial Arts Theatre compilation trailer.