Producer/Director Ng See Yuen was a major creative force in Golden Harvest Studios, who alongside the Shaw Bros. is responsible for the classic martial arts genre that we all hold in high regard today. After having differences with the executives at Golden Harvest, Ng See Yuen left the studio in 1975 to start his own production and distribution company, Seasonal Films. First up was a Chinese/Korean co-production, THE SECRET RIVALS. Ng See Yuen hired popular actor/martial artist Wong Dao (whom Golden Harvest worked with before in their HK-U.S. co-production, SLAUGHTER IN SAN FRANCISCO), and two high-kicking newcomers, John Liu and Korean Taekwando Hwang Jang Li. Then, Yuen wisely recruited veterans Tommy Lee and Chan Chuen to handle the fight scenes, and the rest was history. When released in 1976, THE SECRET RIVALS broke all attendance records for such an independent low budget effort, and the martial arts genre has not been the same since. Its safe to say that Jackie Chan would not achieve his mainstream success that he enjoys today without the impact of THE SECRET RIVALS, which set the standard for high-kicking heroes (and villains), two-on-one endings, and acrobatic choreography of Yuen Woo Ping and Corey Yuen. THE SECRET RIVALS finally gets a fitting home video release in widescreen for the first time, as the initial release in Crash Cinema’s promising Crash Masters series.

Every year, a fight-to-the-death martial arts tournament is held, with the winner not only receiving gold and accolades, but a high-ranking spot in the Korean imperial guard. Fighters from all over Asia, Europe, and Russia traverse the great distances to compete. One talented young fighter is Sheng Ying Wei (Wong Dao), a disciplined student of Chinese Kung Fu who takes a room at a nearby Inn and sparks a romance with sexy owner, Ms Shing. But this year’s tournament is a bit different as the organizers plan to use the winner as an assassin to wipe out political opponents. Shao Yi Fei (John Liu) arrives at the same hotel and begins spying on Sheng Ying Wei and his new found love interest. Meanwhile, Sheng Ying Wei defeats the heavily favored Russian fighter to take the top seed in the tournament. Meanwhile, a young orphan interrupts the martial arts training of Shao Yi Fei and then begs the dexterous fighter to train him. Sheng Ying Wei is offered the new elite position in the imperial guard. He accepts, but asks for 3 days to settle unfinished business before starting in his new post. Sheng Ying Wei uses this time to romance Ms. Shing and find out the truth behind his potential rival, Shao Yi Fei. The two reluctant rivals must put aside their heated feelings for one another to deal with the top Taekwando expert, The Silver Fox (Hwang Jang Li), and his martial arts minions.

THE SECRET RIVALS stands apart because of the talent Ng See Yuen surrounded himself with. Even though the cast was in the early stages of their careers, Yuen had an eye for talent and the foresight to develop new legends for the genre. Though everyone associated with THE SECRET RIVALS received rave reviews, Hwang Jang Li is practically a household name thanks to Yuen giving him a break. It ultimately caused him to become typecast as a villain, but what a magnificent film career this Korean Taekwando champion has enjoyed. Wong Dao went on to star in such classics as DEATH DUEL OF KUNG FU, EAGLE’S CLAW, and THE HOT, THE COOL, AND THE VICIOUS. John Liu’s career also got a healthy boost thanks to his participation in this film, although none of his subsequent starring vehicles came close to the overall high standards of THE SECRET RIVALS 1 & 2. Nothing is worse between fight scenes in a martial arts film, than a boring filler plot-line and dull characters. Ng See Yuen imbues the story with intrigue, suspense, and constant character development. For instance, the interesting three way relationship between the two heroes and Ms. Shing. Both heroes showers her with gifts and attention, yet only one of them ends up winning her heart. John Liu does a good job of acting dejected. This angle adds another layer of ‘rivalry’ to THE SECRET RIVALS. It’s also interesting to note that Wong Dao’s and John Liu’s characters realize that they are both in fact very honorable; but the script calls for them (and the audience) to be totally unaware of what each other’s real motivation is—and what their overall goals are. It’s key things like this that make THE SEECRET RIVALS a success.

 The only special feature on the disc is an exhaustive, fact-filled essay written by long time HK cinema laureate Linn Haynes. There is a Trailer menu selection, but it only features clips from their upcoming DUBBED AND DANGEROUS and ANIME CRASH titles—no martial arts ones.