Chang Cheh - The Master of the longing look

If Chang Cheh had never existed, I would have had to invent him! He is the man instrumental in getting me involved in HK film.
He is the master of the "brother" film. He gave us the image of the noble Shaolin Monk fighting to save the honor of his brothers, the best friends who stuck together through everything, the noble enemies who didn't know whether to kill each other or kiss each other...

He and I Kuang kept the story pretty simple throughout their collaboration. The main focus was on "Male Bonding" and heroic behaviour. He had a herd of lovlies, all talented and acrobatic, to play out his fantasies on the screen: Ti Lung, David Chiang, Chi Kwan Chun, Alexander Fu Sheng, Wei Pai, Kuo Chue, Chiang Sheng and others. The fact that they run pretty close to my own fantasies just made it all the better.

Some Current News

From Nov. 11, 2002
Totally HK on Chang Cheh
Past master revisited
By Vivienne Chow (Email: vivienne.chow@scmp.com)
THE STORY GOES that he helped point out a young actor named Bruce Lee to Hong Kong's big studios. He also told a young John Woo he would be better off staying behind the camera. In a city that has produced some supremely talented film-makers, Chang Cheh was one of the true masters of the art.

When the legendary director died on June 22 at the age of 79, he left a legacy of 100 or so films that helped define the martial-arts genre. "He contributed to both the artistic value of martial-arts films and the prosperity of the Hong Kong film industry," says Law Kar, of the Hong Kong Film Archive (HKFA).

"His films created a new era for martial-arts films in the late 1960s. The style of fighting was innovative. He stressed the use of genuine kung fu so the fight scenes were no longer just violence. When it was shot in a beautiful way, fighting, in his films, was like dancing." Chang also kept an eye out for new talent, and gave some of Hong Kong's greatest stars their first breaks. "He discovered talent for both acting and for those who would work behind the scenes. David Chiang, Ti Lung, Chen Kuan-tai and Alexander Fu Sheng, who all worked with him, were at one time our biggest movie stars," says Law.

"John Woo and martial-arts director Lau Kar-leung were another pair who found their path under Chang's guidance and support." This month, the HKFA is paying a special tribute to the master with screenings of his films, an exhibition and the publication of his memoirs.

"Most of his films were either lost or kept by the Shaw Brothers studio, and were not released again after being shown at cinemas the first time around," says Law. "So this is a good chance to look at his films and assess them on their merits."

Born in 1923 in Huangzhou, Hubei province, Chang grew up in Shanghai. He followed his father into military service when he was 15, fighting against the Japanese, and after the war his military experience helped him secure a place at the Central University in Chongqing, where he studied politics.

Legend has it he began his career in film with no formal training, writing the script to Girl Behind A Mask in 1947 while living in Taiwan. He worked as a newspaper film critic while still pitching scripts, then found himself in the right place at the right time when, in 1956, he met legendary Motion Pictures and General Investment Film Co Ltd (MP&GI) actress Helen Li Mei. She invited Chang to come to Hong Kong and direct her film, Wild Fire (1958), and he never looked back. Over the next four decades, Chang made upwards of 100 films, with his golden era being from 1967 to 1977.

"Films such as One-Armed Swordsman [1967] and Golden Swallow [1968] were some of his best. They are still appealing 30 years after they were made," says Law.

This year, Chang received a lifetime achievement award at the Hong Kong Film Awards. Apart from screening eight of his films, the HKFA is holding an exhibition of some of the late director's personal effects, including his calligraphy and handwritten scripts.

Chang Cheh's films, including his first work Happenings In Alishan (1950), will screen at the Hong Kong Film Archive until the end of November. Tickets priced at $30 are available at all Urbtix outlets. The exhibition runs until January 19 at the HKFA's exhibition hall. Free admission. Chang's memoirs (in Chinese) is priced at $100. For further details of the programmes, log on to www.filmarchive.gov.hk, or call 2739 2139. From June 27, 2002
Shaw Studios executive Wong Ka-Hei spoke to reporters at Filmart and revealed that all of Chang Cheh's scripts as well as film-related notes and letters will be donated to the Hong Kong Film Archive. Moreover, there is talk of Celestial Pictures putting together a Chang Cheh retrospective to commemorate the director's passing. However, no details were available.

Chang Cheh passed away Sunday 23, 2002 of pulmonary failure.
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Martial Art Movie Director Chang Cheh Died At The Age of 79
(MonkeyPeaches Exclusive)June 22, 2002
Chang Cheh
(1932-2002)

Legendary Hong Kong kung-fu movie director Chang Cheh has died from pulmonary edema today in Hong Kong. From 1949's A LI SHAN FENG YUN to 1989's YI DAN QUN YING (nominal), he made near one hundred martial art movies, most were for Show Brothers. His most memorable works are DU BI DAO (ONW-ARMED SWORDSMAN) (1967), DA CI KE (ASSASSIN) (1967), BO SAU (1970) and CI MA (1973). Chang Cheh was also a screenwriter and his last work is for TV series LIE HUO SHAO NIAN QING. Many big names have worked for him including Wang Yu, Wu Ma, Ti Lung, Cheng Pei-pei, Lo Lieh, Chiang Dai-wai, John Woo, Lau Kar-leung, Lee Sau-yin and Andy Lau.

At the 21st HKFA Film Awards, Chang Cheh was awarded a lifetime achievement award. Unfortunately, Chang is in poor health and could not attend the awards. In his place, Michael Hui Kwoon-Man accepted the accolade while Jimmy Wang Yu and other actors from the "Chang Cheh acting troupe" attended to show their support. John Woo, who at one time worked as an assistant director under Chang, appeared via a taped segment to pay tribute to his mentor.
Rumor has it Chang Cheh will be helping out Stephen Chow for his new Action Adventure Martial Arts Comedy. More as I hear it.

His Work

Chang Cheh and I Kuang were responsible for almost every kung fu cult flick made. What they aren't famous for, Liu Chia Liang is, but he is another story. Chang Cheh's most famous understudy/assistant is of course, John Woo.
The Links lead to Amazon.com where you can purchase the movie.

Screenplay:
Kid with the Golden Arm, The (1979)
Shaolin Rescuers / Avenging Warriors of Shaolin (1979)
Magnificent Ruffians, The / Destroyers (1979)
Life Gamble (1979)
Crippled Avengers / Mortal Combat (1978)
Five Venoms, The / Five Deadly Venoms, The (1978)
Chinatown Kid (1977)
All Men Are Brothers / Seven Soldiers of Kung Fu (1975)
Man of Iron / Warrior of Steel (1972)
Boxer From Shantung / Killer From Shantung (1972)
Four Riders / Strike For Revenge (1972)
Vengeance! (1970)
One-Armed Swordsman, The (1967)
Magnificent Trio, The (1966)

Director:
Shanghai 13 (1981)
Masked Avengers (1979)
Magnificent Ruffians, The / Destroyers (1979)
Life Gamble (1979)
Shaolin Rescuers / Avenging Warriors of Shaolin (1979)
Crippled Avengers / Mortal Combat (1978)
Five Venoms, The / Five Deadly Venoms, The (1978)
Chinatown Kid (1977)
Brave Archer, The (1977)
Naval Commandos, The (1977)
Magnificent Wanderers (1977)
Spiritual Fists (1976)
All Men Are Brothers / Seven Soldiers of Kung Fu (1975)
Two Heroes / Heroes Two / Bloody Fists(1974)
Delinquent, The (1973)
Angry Guest, The / Kung Fu Killer (1972)
Delightful Forest (1972)
Boxer From Shantung / Killer From Shantung (1972)
Man of Iron / Warrior of Steel (1972)
Young People (1972)
Four Riders / Strike For Revenge (1972)
Triology of Swordsmanship (1972)
Water Margin, The (1972)
The Pirate (1972)
New One-Armed Swordsman / Triple Irons (1971/72)
Duel of Fists (1971)
Duel, The / Duel of the Iron Fist (1971)
King Eagle (1971)
Deadly Duo, The (1971)
Anonymous Heroes, The (1971)
Vengeance! (1970)
Singing Killer, The (1970)
Wandering Swordsman, The (1970)
Return of the One Armed Swordsman (1969)
Golden Swallow / Come Drink With Me 2 (1968)
One-Armed Swordsman, The (1967)
Magnificent Trio, The (1966)
Dates in question:
The Weird Man
Two Champios of Shaolin
Trail of the Broken Blade
Ten Tigers of Kwangtung
Sword Stained With Royal Blood
Shaolin Temple, The / Death Chamber
Shaolin Martial Arts
Shaolin Avengers / Invincible Kung Fu Brothers
Seven Man Army
Savage Five, The (1975?)
Rebel Intruders / Killer Army
Ode to Gallantry
Nine Demons
New Shaolin Boxers / Grandmaster of Death
Na Cha
Men From the Monastary / Disciples of Death
Marco Polo / Four Assassins
Magnificent Wanderers / Magnificent Kung Fu Warriors
Master of Kung Fu
Legend of the Fox
Invincible Shaolin / Unbeatable Dragon
House of Traps
Heroic Ones, The / Shaolin Masters
Heaven & Hell
Have Sword Will Travel
Friends
Flag of Iron / Spearman of Death
Five Shaolin Masters / Five Masters of Death
Five Element Ninja / Super Ninjas
Disciples of Shaolin / Invincible One, The
Demon of the Lute
Death Ring
Daredevils, The / Daredevils of Kung Fu
Brave Archer IV / Brave Archer and His Mate
Brave Archer III / Blast of the Iron Palm
Brave Archer II / Kung Fu Warlords II
Boxer Rebellion / Bloody Avengers
Blood Brothers, The / Dynasty of Blood
Attack of the Joyful Goddess

Producer:
Just Heros (1989)

Unknown Involvement:
Sword and the Lute, The / Temple of the Red Lotus
Twin Swords/Temple of the Red Lotus II
Temple of the Red LotusIII

And visit Steve Feldman's fantasmaglorical Chang Cheh website

Author: Black Tauna blktauna @ shawstudios . com