Shaolin Devil and Shaolin Angel (1980) | Hong Kong Movie World review

Shaolin Devil and Shaolin Angel (1980)

aka: Kung Fu of Dammoh Styles | Shaolin Devil vs. Shaolin Angel

Wei Kuen (H.K.) Film Co.

Cast: Wang Tao, Tung Wei, Chen Sing, Hwa Ling, Ma Cheung, Wang Hsieh, Tsai Hung,

Ma Chin Ku, Chen Chun, Ma Tzi Chin, Yu Sung Chao

Writer: Joe Cheung Tung Cho, Wong Ching Tai Executive Producer: Liu Mur Lung

Producer: Yung Shiau Yu, Chen Tong Martial Arts Choreographer: Tung Wei, Chen Chun

Director: Joe Cheung Tung Cho

Genre: Martial Arts | Mystery

"If a killer should ever stop killing.. he'll get killed himself."

A series of mysterious assassinations are carried out on top fighters from various local clans.

Respected martial arts masters Wong Fu Yang (Wang Hsieh) and Wan Li Fei (Chen Sing)

lead the hunt for their killer, who leaves behind only a wooden "death sign" on the corpse of

each victim. Also on the case is a secret agent for the Chinese government played by Wang Tao.

Wang was raised in a brothel by his prostitute mommy, but rather than grow up to become a

foul-mouthed comedian (like Richard Pryor), he became a hired killer. He's a tough guy with

serious trust issues about women in general- his Mama neglected him, and a prostitute he once

loved betrayed him. However, he still frequents brothels quote a lot- not to shag but to get

his next assignment (written on the backs of the prostitutes). His business may be dirty but

he does have one principle- he won't kill innocents.

Though Wong Fu Yang is patriarch of a family of famous fighters, his own son Chang Wan

(played by Tung Wei) is a disappointment, refusing to learn kung fu. The philosophical youth

detests violence, and prefers to study acupuncture and help sick people. That all changes when

his father is killed by the 'Death Mask'. He appeals to a wizened Shaolin Abbott to train him

in the deadly arts, and pretty soon the scholarly pacifist is transformed from a sissy boy to a

lean kung fu fighting machine.

Yes, this is the movie that features a hulking, maniacal Chen Sing in a red 'Rambo' headband

plunging his hands into what looks like a vat of steaming coffee beans.
Shaolin Devil and Shaolin Angel was helmed by Joe Cheung Tung Cho with choreography

by co-star Stephen Tung Wei; two names that would become significant in Hong Kong

cinema. The star of the show is Wang Tao, a frequent leading man in kung fu films at the time.

If you're a fan of the genre and in the mood for some so-called "old school kung fu", this movie

should do allright.

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