Over the years, Hong Kong has been producing uncountable martial art movies which might lead many people to inconclusiveness when it comes to deciding which film to buy. When I was young (starting from the age of 5), I'd always watch old school kung fu flicks on German television. Most of them where rather boring and even made me fall asleep at times. Then, on December 30th 1994, Invincible Armour was aired on German television and without knowing anything about it, I taped it. It must have been fate, because it would turn out to become a very long friendship. At that time I was 10 years old and I loved that masterpiece. It would be the first martial arts film, that wouldn't bore me. I have treasured this tape ever since I watched it only getting it out for special occasions. And since I am writing reviews for my web pages, I always wanted to write one for Invincible Armour, but I didn't know if I could do the movie any justice. Besides, there was no DVD version worth getting for me, so I couldn't take any screenshots. There was an R1 version, but it was full screen. Finally, Christmas 2002, Ground Zero released this title in the UK. Being used to the German dubbing (which I love), the English dub (the only voice track on the DVD) was completely new to me. Back then, I wouldn't know all the actors and after I got more into HK films, I realized one day that I hadn't watched Invincible Armour for quite some time already. So I popped it in and the movie became even better for me, realizing all those familiar faces from the HK movie industry. In the lead roles we have John Liu (Secret Rivals I + II), Tino Wong (Secret Rivals II), Hwang Jang Lee (Ninja in the Dragon's Den) and Lee Hoi San (Project A) and as an extra, we also get people like Yuen Biao and Corey Yuen as supporting actors. When Hu Long (Lee Hoi San) comes to town, he is attacked by four thugs (one of which is Yuen Biao) who want to steal his sword. In a matter of seconds manages to beat the gang. What he doesn't know however is that he is being watched by General Chow Loo Fong (John Liu). Impressed by Hu Long's martial arts skills, he takes him to Mister Lu, an official in this area of China in order to audition for a job as Mister Lu's bodyguard. After a bit of conversation, Mister Lu wants to see for himself how good of a fighter Hu Long is. They arrange a sparring-match in the yard which only General Chow is watching. Suddenly, the kind Hu Long turns bad, pulls out a knife and stabs old Mister Lu to death. Unfortunately, he manages to escape and since General Chow has been the only one in Mister Lu's presence, he is charged with murder. His only way to prove his innocence is to hunt down Hu Long. What seems like a simple plot at first, gets more and more complex later (well, by all means for a kung fu flick) as General Chow reveals official secrets of a conspiracy. During his quest, he learns new kung fu techniques from a young boy and also manages to persuade his enemy Chen Yu (Tino Wong) who is then fighting alongside him, instead against him. Together they try to prevent the Minister Cheng (Hwang Jang Lee) from using his two special techniques to assert his evil plans. These special techniques might not be directly new to you. He is a master of the Eagle Claw and has also mastered the Iron Armour technique. In the beginning of the film, this technique is described by a voice over. It says that he who controls the Iron Armour technique is immune against any hit by an enemy. However, there is one part of the body that can not be shielded which means that the master of the Iron Armour is vulnerable at one certain point of his body. Now, if this doesn't serve for a great showdown with the minister... Invincible Armour is unfortunately not so well known as it shall be. Although it is an old school kung fu flick, it differs a lot from the Opera Brothers films, like Jackie Chan's Snake in the Eagle's Shadow or Sammo Hung's The Prodigal Son. While these films were really great in displaying fast paced martial artistry, Invincible Armour comes not only with that, but with a great storyline as well. Director Ng See-yuen obviously put lots of effort into this film which many acrobatic fight sequences really show. The fact that Yuen Biao was involved in this film as an action director, shows just how much talent this guy has and not only on-screen. If you pay enough attention to the film, you will also see that people were doubled quite a few times and knowing that Biao was working on the film, I'd say he did most of the doubling parts. Being released in 1977, the makers of Invincible Armour evidently decided to copy the film's soundtrack directly from an Italo-Western flick called I Giorni dell'ira, which was released in 1967. The film was on German television once and when I heard the theme tune of Invincible Armour playing over it, I directly connected to the internet to find out the release date of the film. Not really to my surprise, I found out that HK had stolen from the Western-flick. The actors give strong performances in terms of both acting and martial arts skills. And although Hwang Jang Lee is well known for his kicking talent, he rarely gets to kick in Invincible Armour. Here he shows that he is also capable of long shot fight choreography with his fists. But not only fists and legs are used during the fights, but also weapons like lances and swords are in regular use and General Chow (John Liu) even uses acupuncture needles to kill one of his enemies. Let me get back to the actors and the chemistry of their characters. The young boy from whom General Chow learns the technique of the Iron Finger kind of becomes Chow's sifu. Usually, you only see old men being sifus but Chow doesn't feel lowered by learning from a young kid. He is happy instead and teaches him how to use kung fu properly. The training sequence of the two together combined with the great soundtrack will always have a special place in my heart. Chen Yu (Tino Wong) who is sent by the evil minister to catch General Chow doesn't only follow orders, but wants to find out the truth for himself. When he realizes that Chow is after another man himself he looses his confidence in Chow's guilt. In order to help Chow catching Hu Long (Lee Hoi San), he gives him 3 more days to find him. When he fails that mission due to Hu Long's sudden death, Chen Yu senses what is wrong and that everything has been a big set up by the minister. I really like this idea for the characters. Both are trying to find the truth and although one of them has his order to arrest General Chow, his own beliefs let him decide what to do due to his opinions. Honour and friendship are the main themes of the film, but also beating the c*ap out of Hu Long. Those of you who watched the film know what I am talking about. Although he killed Mister Lu, you start feeling sorry for that guy. Even more than you do for the falsely suspected General Chow. Throughout the whole film, Hu Long gets beaten up so many times, 3 of which General Chow is responsible for. You will realize that in all of these fights, poor Hu Long gets kicked in the face al the time. I don't know how he manages to remain conscious. One must also mention the beautiful cinematography. As it was modern these days in Hong Kong to zoom in and out, this very same technique is used throughout Invincible Armour. However, it is never done unnecessarily and serves the film perfectly allright. Fights have been amazingly captured to film. For example does a close up of John Liu change quickly to a wide shot as soon as he performs a roundhouse kick, so that it is perfectly captured to film. I am sure you have watched some martial arts movie fights if you are reading this. Didn't you at least once wish for another camera angle during a certain fight? While watching Invincible Armour, I sometimes think, "Now a long shot would be really cool...", and what do I get in the next shot? A perfect long shot of the combatants. It's just like that throughout the whole film. I never realized any negative aspects about Invincible Armour. Even now that I am writing this review, I tried to look out for any and the only thing I could say is that people might get mixed up between three different old men (Mister Lu, Minister Cheng and Hu Long's master), looking all almost the same. But the trained eye will be able to tell who is who. Invincible Armour is my all time favourite kung fu classic. A believable story, convincing characters, many (and I mean REALLY A LOT) of great quality fights, a beautiful (copied) soundtrack make this film what it is. A true masterpiece. If you are looking for a martial arts film from the 70's, then Invincible Armour shall be your definite choice. It is really hard to find a martial arts film that combines all the above mentioned elements so well together. Now that it is available in the UK, do yourself a favour and get hold of this classic. If you don’t, I really pity you.
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