In 1982, a large cast and crew traveled deep into the forest hills of Taiwan to film the martial arts epic THE INCREDIBLE KUNG FU MISSION. The production was headed up by Chang Hsin Yi, a former screenwriter of independent classics such as THE HOT, THE COOL, THE VICIOUS (1976), CHALLENGE OF DEATH (1980), and FATAL NEEDLES VS. FATAL FISTS (1980). Having proved himself an extraordinary martial arts screenwriter, the transition to the director’s chair was a natural one for Chang Hsin Yi. In addition to THE INCREDIBLE KUNG FU MISSION, he also directed LADY CONSTABLE (1978), SHAOLIN EX-MONK (1978), and STRUGGLE THROUGH DEATH (1981). Chang Hsin Yi casted the dexterous John Liu as the star of THE INCREDIBLE KUNG FU MISSION, and many other popular performers (like Alexander Lo Rei, Alan Chui, and Ricky Cheng) as Liu’s accomplices in the title mission. Taiwan-born John Liu was one of the pre-eminent martial artist performers on the independent martial arts scene of the 1970s. Liu possesses one of the most powerful and accurate high-kicks in the business. Liu starred in some of the best super-kicker movies of all time, such as THE SERCRET RIVALS (1976), INVINCIBLE ARMOUR (1977), and DEATH DUEL OF KUNG FU (1979). Alexander Lo Rei is one of Liu’s disciples in the film. Alexander Lo Rei catapulted to fame as the unbeatable hero in a string of Ninja-themed motion pictures. His credits include SHAOLIN CHASTITY KUNG FU (1981), SHAOLIN VS. NINJA (1983), and NINJA FINAL DUEL (1986). Robert Tai is the villain in THE INCREDIBLE KUNG FU MISSION, and also handles the fight choreography. Tai had small roles in several Shaw Brothers productions (where he served as action director): MASTER OF THE FLYING GUILLOTINE (1976), CHINATOWN KID (1977), and CHALLENGE OF THE LADY NINJA (1983). Crash Cinema, the only Region 1 content provider who goes through the trouble of securing actual film prints for their DVD, raises the bar ever-higher with this release, part of their new brand called The Pagoda Films Collection, which stresses high quality video and extra features.

Lu Ping (Robert Tai) is a ruthless Ming warlord who kidnaps a prominent Ching official and imprisons him inside his stockade. Mr. Lo, a friend of the official, hires martial arts mercenary Shu Shin Kang (John Liu) to rescue his associate from the Warlord’s well guarded prison camp. Mr. Lo informs Shu Shin Kang that he will need some back-up to take on Lu Ping’s private army. Mr. Lo introduces him to a squad of rag-tag renegades, who are brave enough, but lack sufficient martial arts skills. Knowing that his mission will depend on the abilities of those men, Shu Shin Kang decides to teach these reluctant pupils in the ways of war. The recruits each have their own inadequacies that prove to be a challenge for their new master. Each man has a special talent; for instance one is a brawny fighter, one is a juggler, one is a carpenter, and another one is a waiter who works at a brothel. The waiter and his comrades-in-training get into trouble with the unscrupulous types that hang around the brothel. The low lifes at the brothel mercilessly beat the tar out of Shu Shin Kang’s trainees. Hungry for revenge, each man now welcomes the teachings of Shu Shin Kang. Over time each man works hard and they soon transform into formidable fighters. When the time is right, they return to the brothel and like the old saying goes, "payback is a bitch". After the four fighters return the beating they received, Shu Shin Kang is confident they are ready to begin their secret mission. Lu Ping learns that the rebels are sending a cache of warriors against him, so he dispatches his soldiers into the surrounding territories to set traps for them. Shu Shin Kang and his team must travel through hostile territory, overcome the ambushes, and defeat Lu Ping’s soldiers if they are to accomplish their goal and rescue the Ching official.

After starting his career with some truly solid efforts (SECRET RIVALS, INVINCIBLE ARMOUR, SHAOLIN EX-MONK), John Liu’s once-promising career degenerated and he found himself working with hack directors like Godfrey Ho (DRAGON ON FIRE), and, Cheung Chi Chiu (FIGHTING ACE). Thankfully, one of his final martial arts movies, THE INCREDIBLE KUNG FU MISSION returns John Liu to his former glory. Screenwriter/director Cheung San Yee knows how to tell a story and capture it on film. Though essentially a retread of the Hollywood favorite, THE DIRTY DOZEN (1967), Yee manipulates the plot, characterization, and action quite well. THE INCREDIBLE KUNG FU MISSION has a trick ending that takes the viewer by surprise; just as you think you’ve witnessed the climactic confrontation, there is more revelations and more martial arts mayhem. This low, low budget affair has the appearance of a Shaw Brothers production (minus the studio interiors). Cheung San Yee initially plays the renegades (Alexander Lo Rei, Ricky Chen, Alan Chui, etc) as fools, inducing some comic moments. But once the recruits get serious about Kung Fu, the mood changes completely. John Liu plays it straight, of course, and commands respect with his performance. Robert Tai is equally effective as the baddie, and like the under-rated Tommy Lee, he proves that he can do more than just manage the choreography. The fights are very effective—natural and in realtime with no apparent speed-ups. The multiple fight scenes are filmed in full view of the camera, and not manipulated by heavy editing. Robert Tai also handled the choreography, so if you liked his work in THE CHINATOWN KID (1977), INVINCIBLE SHAOLIN (1978), SHAOLIN RESCUERS (1979), then you’ll dig what you see here.