Joseph Kuo’s 7 GRANDMASTERS (1978) features a conglomeration of martial arts talent that would make even the Shaw Brothers studios jealous. The main creative force behind this film is respected genre director Joseph Kuo, who not only directed 7 GRANDMASTERS but produced it and wrote the screenplay. After leaving the Shaw Brothers studio, Joseph Kuo formed his own independent production company, Hong Hwa Motion Picture Co., and he assembled a terrific cast of then-unknowns to star in all his films. 7 GRANDMASTERS features the breakthrough role for Jack Long (MASTER OF THE FLYING GUILLOTINE, MYSTERY OF CHESS BOXING, BORN INVINCIBLE) as the unbeatable master of the Pak Mei style. Ex-Shaw Brothers star Li Yi Min (BRAVE ARCHER, LIFE COMBAT, HEAVEN AND HELL) takes up the Jackie Chan role as a bumbling peasant who proves worthy enough to learn Pak Mei Kung Fu. The Ghost Faced Killer himself Mark Long (SHAOLIN TRAITOR, 36 SHAOLIN BEADS, WAR OF THE SHAOLIN TEMPLE) stars as Jack Long’s martial arts apprentice. The great Lung Fei (ONE ARMED BOXER, 18 JADE ARHATS, GREEN JADE STATUETTE) appears in 7 GRANDMASTERS as one of the opponents of the Master of Pak Mei. Rounding out the cast in supporting roles is Nancy Yen (DEADLY ANGELS, MILITANT EAGLE, CHINESE IRON MAN), Chien Yuen Sheng (LADY WHIRLWIND, BUDDHA ASSASSINATOR, KUNG FU VS. YOGA), and Chen Chiu (RED BEARD, KUNG FU OF 8 DRUNKARDS, 2 GREAT CAVALIERS). Joseph Kuo also hired Yuen Cheung Yan and Corey Yen to create the acrobatic Kung Fu action and he gave them roles as opposing Kung Fu masters in the movie. Back when Kung Fu comedies were all the rage (starting around 1978), 7 GRANDMASTERS became a major success and inspiration for years to come. It was largely successful too in U.S. theaters, and the movie played consistently for years in the NYC theater district. Joseph Kuo’s best film has never been properly released uncut on either VHS or DVD, though its been mighty popular in trading circles. Cult movie label Media Blasters went so far as too strike a deal with the video rights holders, Mei Ah, in early 2004 Media Blasters released their first old-school Kung Fu film on DVD, completely remastered and from restored film prints.

Sang Kuan Chun (Jack Long) is the martial arts practitioner whose mastery of the six strikes of the Pak Mei form of Kung Fu has made him Grandmaster of all he surveys. He in turn has opened up a school to teach others the various forms of the martial arts. Because of San Kuan Chun’s wisdom and status as a teacher and a warrior, the Emperor has favored him and allows the old master and entourage prove his fighting prowess to everyone in the land. So Sang Kuan Chun and his entourage (consisting of Mark Long, Nancy Yen, Alan Chui) travel the highlands of China seeking the 7 Grandmasters of each proven style. The battles are long and tough and friendly, with each beaten opponent proclaiming Sang Kuan Chan is the better fighter. Along their journeys of glory and martial arts superiority, they stumble upon a clownish ruffian, Sui Ying (Li Yi Min), who makes no bones that he wishes to learn from Sang Kuan Chan so he can avenge his father’s mysterious death. However, some mysterious force seems to be interfering and making things difficult for our heroes. Thats when Sang Kuan Chun informs his students that his own master entrusted him with the sacred manual of Pak Mei. However, an evil classmate of Sang Kuan Chun made off with pages of the Pak Mei book that contain three more Pak Mei strikes not known to the world at large. These three strikes of Pak Mei may pose a threat to Sang Kuan Chun as well. That’s when the old master decides to teach the groveling Siu Ying all that he knows, despite the wishes of his other students. Months of intense training turn Siu Ying into a fighter second to none. That’s when a strange hermit informs Siu Ying that he knows the identity of the individual who killed his father. Sui Ying goes into shock when he discovers the culprit is none other than his own new master, Sang Kuan Chun. The heartbroken young fighter promises to avenge his father’s death, and challenges his own master to a martial arts showdown!!! But, there is still a mysterious third party who involves himself in the climatic confrontation!

Joseph Kuo and his stock production crew have assembled some artistically satisfying martial arts films, and 7 GRANDMASTERS is no different. Despite the obviously super-low budget, the filmmakers manage to give 7 GRANDMASTERS a much bigger budgeted look. The locations and sets are obviously reused from other Hong Hwa Motion Pictures films, but they really manage to give this martial arts classic a frenzied and stylistic look. Joseph Kuo’s screenplay also has it moments of brilliance and originality. For instance, the entire plot about Sang Chuan Chun travelling across the land, seeking out and defeating the best martial arts grandmasters in the land comes off as original and unique. These battles are fought with a strong sense of kinsmanship, pride, and honor--quite unlike the Chang Cheh-style flicks that just rack up the huge body counts. Kuo’s script also deftly handles the intrigue and the most surprising and disturbing moments of the film are when Li Yi Min learns that his new master is his father’s killer. Another suspenseful moment is the development of the secret ‘villain’ character; which does not get resolved until the last few minutes of the movie. The characters, actors, and actresses are well done, with Jack Long being the breakout star here. In fact, Jack Long would don the gray beard again in MYSTERY OF CHESS BOXING and SHAOLIN EX MONK. Mark Long is also good as the frustrated-but loyal student of Sang Kuan Chun. This leaves Li Yi Min, who does nothing in the first half except snivel and grovel. Then in the second half, after learning Pak Mei style he becomes the typical invincible Kung Fu tough guy. This is the only part of the movie where it becomes repetivive as we have seen this bit in almost every martial arts flick ever made. Up until Li Yi Min is fully trained, he acts like a typical Jackie Chan manner grimacing and groaning comedicly. This forced, unfunny humor is the only weak spot in an otherwise fantastic martial arts picture. In his tenure at Hong Hwa Studios, Kuo couldn’t resist to inject humor into his martial arts flicks; and I believe this takes away from the dramatic elements and serious tone of his films.

With the exception of fact-filled liner notes by martial arts historian Linn Haynes, there is not much on this disc in terms of extras features. But Media Blasters includes an array of trailers that will appeal the genre fans including:

• SAMURAI FICTION
• ZATOICHI (1989)
• KUNIOCHI
• RED SHADOW
• SURE DEATH REVENGE
• NEW BIG BOSS