While not one of my favourite Shaw Brothers action flicks, The Anonymous Heroes is still an entertaining fare that takes its director, Chang Cheh, and stars away from the usual chop-socky traditional storyline, bringing in a 1930's post-war setting with modern day weapons and vehicles to add to the mix...
Led by the very young and handsome duo of David Chaing and Ti Lung, the two charm their way through without a care in the world, bringing a little more light-heartedness to things as they rip-off the army in a bid to help the revolutionaries steal guns. With a strong cast behind it, including many future Hong Kong legends in bit-parts or as extras, the film sprinkles a handful of fight scenes throughout the first hour - aided by some gun-play that is hardly worthy of the heroic bloodshed style we see today, but still passes the time well.
As the hour mark creeps in, the revolutionaries have a train prepared for their escape back to the South. With the army giving chase, they find themselves outnumbered, and after a gun fight, lose one of their leaders. This is quickly followed by a (poorly filmed model set) train crash, of which the heroes manage to leap from beforehand. Along with Chaing's girlfriend, the 3 of them find a 'handcar' further along the railroad, and promise to get the guns to the South no matter what!
Although a good lot of it was filmed on location, there is a hefty amount of impressive set work used, as with all Shaw Brothers films. For me though, the films saving grace was its violent and serious ending which pits our heroes against the army in a mix of gun fights and gritty martial arts - choreographed by the infamous Lau Kar Leung, along with Hong Kong movie veteran Tang Chia.
Overall: Slow to begin, with a better second half, The Anonymous Heroes is still entertains and stars Ti Lung and David Chaing are always worth the watch!
