Dance of Death

Martial arts choreography for this film is credited to "Chen Lung" - this is almost certainly Jackie Chan using a pseudonym. The release date of the film is 1980, but it was probably made in '78, when Chan worked with director Chen Chi Hwa on a couple films, including "Half a Loaf of Kung Fu" (early Chan starring vehicle) and "36 Crazy Fists" (which Chan choreographed without performing in. "Dance of Death" apparently uses the same crew and many of the same players, and looks and moves very much like the two Chan films. Those with a sense of different 'Fu styles should pay special attention to Mao's use of the middle-finger-knuckle fist (sometimes called phoenix fist or - wrongly - dragon fist in other films) - Chan actually introduced this into the 'Fu film idiom in a film credited to Low Wei (but probably directed by Chan himself), "Dragon Fist". Also pay attention to Mao's use of Snake-fist moves; her interpretation of this style is pure Chan - compare with his use of this style in "Snake in the Eagle's Shadow".

This said, the film would be little worth noting, due to a very weak script - the comedy is second rate, and the film feels incomplete - except for one essential element - Angela Mao.

Introduced to the 'Fu film world by Bruce Lee in "Enter the Dragon", Angel Mao's career gradually withered away due to an apparent lack of acting skills. She seemed capable of only two emotions, impatience and outrage. Thanks to this film, we can now see that her real curse was the type of role into which she was frequently cast. In "Dance of Death" Mao is allowed an opportunity to play comedy with a much wider range of emotional response, and frequent moments of humor. This may be the first performance I've seen from her in which she actually smiles. And she is quite charming when she does. In fact she handles comedy very well, and overall comes across as a performer one would like to see again and again. I should also mention that, although she wears male clothing throughout the film, she exudes a captivating femininity and sexuality - which actually becomes part of the plot and action of the film at the end. This film thus becomes a testament to the abilities of a performer who was otherwise underestimated throughout much of her career.

....especially for the fact that we're apparently meant to assume that every character in the movie assumes that Angela Mao's character is a man; she's constantly referred to as such in the dialogue, but there is absolutely nothing "manly" in the way the gorgeous Angela looks and sounds. More lighthearted than some of her other films, and even resembling a slapstick comedy at times, "Dance of Death" is made up by about 10% plot and 90% fighting. And the fighting itself is mostly of the type that I have a problem with in these "old-school" kung fu movies: it looks too much like a carefully planned, elaborate stage performance / demonstration of various styles, and it lacks intensity. Of course movie fighting HAS to be carefully planned, but the trick is not to LOOK like it. (**)

Very funny Angela Mao vehicle. She plays a character named Fei Fei who is seeking vengeance for the deaths of some friends she just met, as well as trying to help two older kung-fu masters decide who is the better fighter. Much comedy is provided by these two men. One is a drunk with a prominent red nose and the other is smoking something that causes hilariously goofy music to play whenever he takes a hit off his pipe. Angela is very funny, mixing in a good deal of slapstick with straight fighting, in the various combat scenes. Also funny are nods to both Clint Eastwood's man with no name and Henry Mancini's Pink Panther theme. Recommended to those looking for a more light hearted martial arts flick.

The movie is bit like the "Drunken Master", and maybe it's no coincidence that Jackie Chan is the martial arts director in this movie (opening credit states "Sing Lung" which is Jackie's Chinese name).

The movie wouldn't have worked if someone with Angela Mao's kung fu skill wasn't playing the part. Her moves are crisp, and always ends in a beautiful pose after she's finished with the move.

The movie has Taiwanese look and feel to it, and I wouldn't be surprised if it was made in Taiwan. They did one thing right in this movie, and that is to give starring role to Angela Mao. Usually she's co-stared with some other less talented actors which spoils the movie.

Honestly, this is one of the best choreographed Angela Mao movie, and is recommended for viewing by all Angela Mao fans.

The movie starts with two screwball kung fu masters sparring. They have bee equal in ability for years and fighting over who is best. Angela Mao comes forward with a proposition. They both teach her their styles and she will fight using one or the other to determine once and for all the best. That is all that is needed for plot. The rest will be martial arts comedy. This was the recipe for success in the coming transition of the genre.

Angela is frequently mistaken for a man in this movie. If you are unfamiliar with this genre this might seem absurd. It's like this, if the character is wearing male clothes then everyone sees only a man. Westerners will also be unable to tell the difference between male and female clothes. The reveal comes when the woman lets down her hair. Everyone is then amazed that she was a woman all along. This also might seem absurd because the men also have hair just as long. So now you know the rules. They make no sense but now you know!

A movie like this lives or dies by the fights. The acting will be overacting, mugging for the camera, and double takes, and nothing more. The character development is nonexistent. The plot already set up in the first scene.

My review and rating is based on the fights. There has to be a lot of fights. This movie might have more fights than any movie ever. Dr. Craig D. Reid in his book "The Ultimate Guide to Martial Arts Movies of the 1970s" calculated that 53.26% of the run time of this movie was fight action. A frequent problem with movies that have a lot of fighting is that the action can quickly start to all look alike. I did not see that as a problem in this movie. The quality of the fighting requires power, speed, and focus. A punch should look like it would really hurt. The moves must also be fast and smooth. There should be no hesitation, jerkiness, or uneven pacing with punches and blocks. Finally, the hits have to make contact or at least come close enough not to be obvious. All of this can be accomplished with practice but the time for practice was a luxury back then. Film was also expensive so if it wasn't good on the first take as long as it was good enough they moved on.

There are also details in fight choreography such as using the fight to advance the plot or reveal the character of the fighter. In 1976 these ideas were rarely used.

Rather than over complicate everything, here's all you need in a review for this movie. "Dance of Death" is a fun to watch martial arts comedy and as a fun to watch martial arts comedy I rate it as one of the best martial arts movies of 1976.