Killer of Snake, Fox of Shaolin | on Hong Kong Movie World

Killer of Snake, Fox of Shaolin (1978)

Cast: Carter Wong, Moh Wun-Hsia, Cheung Lik, Kuo Wu-Sing, Lily Han,

Co-Starring: Cheung Pi San, Lau Wai Ying, Lau Yet Fan, Cheung Hay, Kam Yuen Chu,

Lam Mun Hwa, Fan Man Wah, Wong Kwok Che

Writer: Yau Nai Hoi, Au Kin Yee Music: Chan Kwok Man

Producer: Yih San Pao Fighting Instructors: Liao Hsuen-Ming, Lin Mang-Hwa

Assistant Director: Lin Chin-Shuen Director: Man Wah

Genre: Martial Arts | Drama | Ghost Length: 91 minutes

“I think there’s an old saying, that love is blind. And now at last I’ve found out that it’s true.”

A martial arts film with supernatural elements and a romantic subplot in which everyone has an

agenda, with the exception of the lead character. First, we have the world's most stubborn

suitor, Choi Ting-Sing, who will stop at nothing to get Wong Koo (Moh Wun-Hsia) to marry

him, including kidnapping her. But she has her eyes on a noble lone wanderer, Tod Yuk Lun

(Carter Wong), and she is almost as relentless in her pursuit of him, even threatening suicide.

At first, she mostly wants his protection from Choi Ting-Sing, but later on she falls in love. By

the way, Choi Ting-Sing is a 'Snake' and Wong Koo is a 'Fox'. That means that they aren't

actually human, but animals in human form who are endowed with special powers by God,

who must do good deeds on Earth for 1000 years in order to earn the right to reincarnate

and go to Heaven.

Poor Tod has to endure more hardship still. The ghost of a woman who was raped and murdered

appears and asks for his help in taking revenge on her killer, Kim Tai Fung. His master, Abbott

Chi Kwan (with hair as long as Willie Nelson’s), examines his diminished aura and determines

that he is being used by everyone because his spirit is weak. He's given some Buddhist mantras

to recite to strengthen his aura.

Tod’s association with Wong Koo threatens Choi Ting-Sing; and he incurs the wrath of warlord

Kim Tai Fung after protecting the owners of an Inn from his henchmen. Choi Ting-Sing offers to

help Kim Tai Fung to kill Brother Tod; he attacks him with his magic but Tod counters it by

reading from the Buddhist book. With Wong Koo by his side, the Buddhist phrases also harm

her as well, causing her to revert to Fox form. When she comes clean about being a 1000 year

old Fox, Tod is angered and suspects her of trying to harm him. The Abbott later explains her

sacrifice, and Tod learns that her intentions were honest, while he waits at the monastery for the

inevitable final confrontation with Choi Ting-Sing.

Killer of Snake, Fox of Shaolin is, at best, a very mediocre film. There’s some good kung fu

(though not a whole lot of it), and an actual battle between two live snakes. The low budget

effects and make-up only add to the somber tone.

It tries to juggle three genres (martial arts, horror, and romance), but it doesn't really come

together too well. Best for Carter Wong completists.

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