The Iron-Fisted Monk

The Iron-Fisted Monk is a 1977 Hong Kong martial arts film written and directed by Sammo Hung in his directorial debut. He also stars in the lead role. It co-stars Chan Sing and James Tien. The film was released on 25 August 1977 in Hong Kong.

The Iron-Fisted Monk
UK DVD cover
Traditional三德和尚與舂米六
Simplified三德和尚与舂米六
MandarinSān Dé Hé Shàng Yǔ Chōng Mǐ Liù
CantoneseSaam1 Dak1 Wo4 Seong2 Jyu2 Zung1 Mai2 Leok6
Directed bySammo Hung
Produced byRaymond Chow
Written by
Starring
Music byFrankie Chan
CinematographyLee Yiu-ting
Edited byPeter Cheung
Production
company
Distributed byGolden Harvest
Release date
  • 25 August 1977 (1977-08-25)
Running time
93 minutes
CountryHong Kong
LanguageCantonese
Box officeHK$2.28 million[1]

Plot

Hawker (Sammo Hung), is sent to the Shaolin Temple by the Iron Fisted Monk (Chan Sing), after he saves Hawker from a beating by the Manchus. After being trained by his master (James Tien) he runs away from the temple, only to be confronted by his master and forced to take the four tests. Whilst this is happening, an official (Fung Hak-on) is indulging in his passion for raping women, and is virtually above the law as he is a powerful Manchu officer. He begins by raping Liang's (Lo Hoi-pang) sister (Chu Ching), who then commits suicide and makes Liang a very angry man. Liang takes his revenge by killing one of those pesky Manchus but everyone thinks Hawker is responsible.

Both Liang and Hawker go to meet the Iron Fisted Monk who convinces Hawker to teach all the workers at the dye factory kung fu, so they can defend themselves against the Manchus. The final act involves the Manchus' butchering of the workers from the dye factory, kill Liang's wife and Liang's mother (Liang's wife was raped before being killed). When Liang eventually dies from his wounds, both Hawker and the Iron Fisted Monk swear vengeance on the Manchus and it is delivered.

Alternate/deleted scenes

The Hong Kong version of the film contains a longer version of the rape of Liang's wife than the American release.

Cast
  • Sammo Hung as Hawker
  • Chan Sing as Monk Sam Tak (The Iron Fisted Monk)
  • James Tien as Hawker's instructor (cameo)
  • Lo Hoi-pang as Liang
  • Chu Ching as Liang's sister
  • Chu Ching as Ah Chen, Liang's wife
  • Wang Hsieh as Rapist's boss
  • Dean Shek as Manchu
  • Fung Hark-On as Official
  • Wu Ma as Miss Chuen's client (cameo)
  • Lam Ching-ying as Shu-liu worker
  • Casanova Wong as Shaolin disciple
  • Yeung Wai as Thug
  • Yam Sai-kun as Manchu thug
  • Eric Tsang as Shu-liu worker
  • Chin Yuet-Sang as Thug
  • Chung Fat as Shu-liu worker
  • Chiu Hung as Manchu from capital
  • Fung Fung as Brother worker
  • Austin Wai
  • Billy Chan
  • Cheung King-po
  • Mars as Shu-liu worker
  • Peter Chan Manchu thug
  • Tony Lo as Villain
  • Tsang Choh-lam as Servant in brothel
  • Hao Li-jen
  • Hsiao Ho
  • Kei Ho-chiu
  • Wong Fung as Abbot
  • Lam Hak-ming as Man who gets kicked into water
  • Mang Hoi
  • Wong Chi-ming
  • Wong Chi-keung
  • Brandy Yuen
  • Yeung Sai-kwan as Monk
  • Wan Fat as Baldy in red with pony tail
  • King Lee
  • Chiu Chun
  • Kam Lui as Liang's boss
  • Yau Chi-wan as Liang's relative
  • Lai Man as Liang's mother
  • Johnny Cheung
  • Wellson Chin
  • Law Keung
  • Chan Kim-wan
  • Chan Ming-wai as Thug
  • Choe Mu-ung as Monk
  • Tu Chia-cheng as Dye seller
  • Ho Kei-cheong as Thug
  • To Wing-leung as Man in brothel
  • Ting Tung as Man in brothel
  • Lee Fat-yuen
  • Alan Chan
  • Addy Sung
  • Ng Kit-keung
  • Kot Ping

(*) Note: There are two different actresses named Chu Ching in the film, one portrays Liang's wife and the other portrays Liang's sister.

Release

The film grossed HK$2,283,594.40 during its 15-week theatrical run.[1] It was released on DVD on 29 October 2001 in the UK[2] and 7 September 2004 in the US.[3]

Reception

Almar Haflidason of BBC Online rated it 4/5 stars and recommended it to Sammo Hung fans.[2] J. Doyle Wallis of DVD Talk rated it 3.5/5 stars and wrote, "Iron-Fisted Monk moves briskly with some solid fights and a decent story".[3] David Johnson of DVD Verdict wrote, "A lackadaisical start gives way to a relentless hand-to-hand spectacle of zaniness".[4]

See also

References
  1. "The Iron Fisted Monk (1977)". Hong Kong Movie Database. Retrieved 15 December 2015.
  2. Haflidason, Almar. "Iron Fisted Monk DVD (1977)". BBC Online. Retrieved 15 December 2015.
  3. Wallis, J. Doyle (20 September 2004). "The Iron-Fisted Monk". DVD Talk. Retrieved 15 December 2015.
  4. Johnson, David (14 October 2004). "The Iron-Fisted Monk". DVD Verdict. Archived from the original on 22 December 2015. Retrieved 15 December 2015.
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