Sammo Hung solidified his comedic Kung Fu character in 1978’s ENTER THE FAT DRAGON, which was one of the earlier attempts to combine comedy and Kung Fu, a controversial combination to be sure. While die-hard fans of the Kung Fu genre frown upon the presence of comedy in their martial arts epics, Hong Kong audiences of the time welcomed Sammo’s comedic antics along with the hard-hitting action that he provides. By the end of the 1970’s, Sammo was a huge star and a powerful person in the hierarchy of the HK film business. After the success of ENTER THE FAT DRAGON, he began directing films, starting with THE IRON FISTED MONK. ENTER THE FAT DRAGON was so successful that Sammo revisited the ‘Fatty’ character again in films like Chia Liang Liu’s SKINNY TIGER, FAT DRAGON. But back in 1980, Sammo resurrected his ‘Fatty’ character in THE VICTIM. Though he directed and stars in THE VICTIM, Sammo steps back from the limelight to allow veteran performer Leung Kar Yan take center stage as the true hero of the film.

Leung Kar Yan stars as tortured martial artist Chun Yau. Leung Kar Yan is a true veteran in the Hong Kong film industry, and had prominent roles in such important films as IRON MONKEY (1977), GREEN JADE STATUETTE, and THUNDERING MANTIS. Chang Yi is the sneaky the protagonist of THE VICTIM. Chang Yi has been a fixture in the Hong Kong film industry for nearly 25 years, and has appeared in some of the greatest Kung Fu classics of all time including TASTE OF COLD STEEL, 18 SHAOLIN DISCIPLES, and INVINCIBLE SWORD. Wilson Tong appears as a mercenary Kung Fu fighter hired by Chang Yi’s evil character. You’ve seen Wilson Tong in films like STING OF THE DRAGON MASTERS, DAGGERS EIGHT, and SNAKE DEADLY ACT. Chan Lung is another overweight Chinese comedy player who has carved out a niche for himself in films like WARRIOR FROM SHAOLIN, THE BUDDHIST FIST, and DIRTY KUNG FU. In THE VICTIM, he plays the cowardly brother of Yu Ti. Genre great (and frequent Sammo Hung collaborator) Karl Maka gets a cameo as an elderly monk who confronts Fatty.

A rich man with a kind heart takes in a suffering homeless orphan named Chun Yau. The man’s spoiled/jealous son does not take well to his new stepbrother. Chun Yau grows into a righteous martial artist played by Leung Kar Yan. Likewise, the jealous son grows into a bitter gang leader, essayed by Chang Yi. The jealous son holds a grudge against his stepbrother because Chun Yau stole his girlfriend. Now, Chang Yi has made it his goal to hunt down Chun Yau and his bride, Yu Ti prompting the newlyweds to spend their lives together running in fear from the gang leader. But one day Chun Yau runs into a bumbling tough guy named Fatty, who immediately challenges him to fight. Chun Yau quickly dispatches of his aggressor, prompting Fatty to set himself up as Chun Yau’s pupil. Apparently Fatty has promised his ancestors that he shall learn proper Kung Fu by training under the man who beats him (and Chun Yau is the first to do so.). However, Chun Yau and his wife are trying to keep a low profile and they want nothing to do with Fatty, as all he does is attract attention. Fatty, meanwhile, can’t help but wonder why such a great martial artist lives in fear.

With his stepfather at death’s door, Chun Yau and his wife go to pay final respects to his ill-struck adopted father. As Chun Yau enters his father’s room, he finds himself surrounded by Chang Yi’s men. They let Chun Yau speak with his stepfather as the old one expires. Chang Yi appears to be mourning the death of his father, but as soon as Chun Yau leaves his stepfather’s room, Cheng Yi orders his men to attack his step-brother (so much for showing respect to the dead). Fatty arrives in time to help Chun Yau fight off the gang members. But Chun Yau’s wife can no longer handle the pressures of life on the run. She begs Chang Yi to stop the violence and she will leave Chun Yau and live with him. She tells her husband she is sick of life on the run and that she will stay with Chang Yi. Chun Yau is shattered and leaves a broken man, followed by the faithful Fatty. But Yu Ti really does not plan on spending her life with her hated admirer. After Chang Yi calls off the price on Chun Yau’s head, Yu Ti commits suicide rather than succumbing to his desires. The death of Yu Ti only serves to fuel the flames of hatred between these two men. Chang Yi hires martial arts assassins (including Wilson Tong) to deal with his step-brother. Meanwhile, Chun Yi and Fatty come up with a plan of their own, which will result in the death of one of these men!

The plot of THE VICTIM moves along quite nicely and serves up some dark plot twists and character developments. However, the script does not adhere to the rules that it sets for itself. Director Sammo Hung keeps things moving so fast and furious that you overlook the obvious plot flaws. Most of the plot twists take place in the last act and only serve to undermine all that comes before. Sammo films the action very realistically, and never relies on cables or other such ‘unreal’ techniques. The fights are crisp and filmed in real time, with out any speed-ups. The photography and editing is employed with intensity and accuracy, to match the unbelievable speed of the combat sequences. The resulting film plays out like Yuen Woo Ping’s films from the same period, only funnier and not as predictable. Sammo’s Fatty character provides some great humor, and martial arts madness. THE VICTIM opens with Fatty starting fights with everyone he meets, because he is looking for someone to beat him. Then he finally gets beaten by Leung Kar Yan, and starts following him around like a lovesick puppy, while his so-called master tries to lose him. The comedic highlight takes place inside a bathhouse. The tension between both men finally escalate until both Sammo and Leung Kar Yan finally come to blows in a breathtaking display of choreography that moves them through each room inside the hero’s house, while his estranged wife looks on non-chalantly! In another funny bit, Sammo dresses up as a European vampire!

Sammo performs some perfectionist choreography including a superb bit with a three sectional staff, a sword, and the constant flipping (and acrobatics) of his overweight physique. As good as some of Sammo’s stuff is, Leung Kar Yan’s fighting skills are even better. At his wedding, he takes on four men in a thoroughly impressive scene. He throws his wife on his back and continues to beat the tar out of his attackers. More attackers brand staffs while Leung Kar Yan employs double swords and a staff of his own. The finale features Leung Kar Yan fighting his way through the gang members and finally Chang Yi himself. He uses Iron Cross techniques to dispatch of his opponents. Despite the entire gang brandishing swords, staffs, and axes, they are no match for Leung Kar Yan. Chang Yi himself is in pretty good shape for a middle-aged guy, and really pushes Leung Kar Yan to the limit. Both men exchange power moves for quite some time, and even when they both cough up blood, the action continues.

• RUNNING OUT OF TIME
• DRAGON INN
• ARMAGEDDON
• THE DUEL

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