Eight-Diagram Pole Fighter
Encyclopedia
Eight-Diagram Pole Fighter (五郎八卦棍, Wu lang ba gua gun) is a 1983
Shaw Brothers kung fu film directed by Lau Kar-leung
, and starring Gordon Liu
and Alexander Fu Sheng
. It is released as The Invincible Pole Fighters outside of Hong Kong
and Invincible Pole Fighter in North America
.
The film is based on the true story of a man who, after his father and brothers are killed, develops the Yang Ga Ng Long Baht Gwa Kwun (Yang Family 5th brother eight diagram pole) style.
) conspiring with the Mongols. All of the Yang family males except the 4th, 5th, and 6th brothers are killed (played by Hsiao Ho
, Gordon Liu
and Fu Sheng
respectively). 4th brother is captured by the Liao and is not mentioned again (in the source story he marries a Liao princess and returns). Fu Sheng
loses his mind after the death of his family, while the other brother (Gordon Liu
), takes refuge in a temple to put his anger and past behind him. Liu's superb martial arts skill, particularly with the quarterstaff
, impress the temple's senior monks. After refusing to leave the temple at first, Liu later fights for the right to depart after he learns that his sister (Kara Hui
) has been captured by the conspirators and a senior monk is killed by the Mongols. Liu confronts the Mongols and during the ensuing battle to free his sister, the monks from the temple arrive to lend support and help him to defeat the Mongols.
.
Hong Kong films of 1983
A list of films produced in Hong Kong in 1983:.-1983:-External links:**Hong Kong films of 1983 at...
Shaw Brothers kung fu film directed by Lau Kar-leung
Lau Kar-leung
Lau Kar-Leung is a famous Hong Kong martial arts filmmaker, choreographer, and actor.Lau Kar-Leung is best known for his movies which he made during the 1970s and 1980s for the Shaw Brothers Studio...
, and starring Gordon Liu
Gordon Liu
Gordon Liu is a Chinese martial arts film actor. He became famous for playing the lead in The 36th Chamber of Shaolin and its sequels...
and Alexander Fu Sheng
Alexander Fu Sheng
Alexander Fu Sheng was a major Hong Kong martial arts film star in the 1970s.-Biography:...
. It is released as The Invincible Pole Fighters outside of Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
and Invincible Pole Fighter in North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
.
The film is based on the true story of a man who, after his father and brothers are killed, develops the Yang Ga Ng Long Baht Gwa Kwun (Yang Family 5th brother eight diagram pole) style.
Plot
The Yangs are a well-known family of soldiers in the service of the government but are betrayed by a government official (Wang Lung WeiWang Lung Wei
Wang Lung Wei , also known as Johnny Wang, is a Chinese actor, director, producer, and action choreographer, who has starred in over 80 kung fu films, mainly for Shaw Brothers Studios. Wang's first Shaw Brothers film role was as the traitor Ma Fu Yi in the Chang Cheh-directed film Five Shaolin...
) conspiring with the Mongols. All of the Yang family males except the 4th, 5th, and 6th brothers are killed (played by Hsiao Ho
Hsiao Ho (actor)
Hsiao Ho, is a Hong Kong martial arts film actor, stunt performer and action choreographer. He has acted in many films directed by Lau Kar-leung, including Mad Monkey Kung Fu and Legendary Weapons of China...
, Gordon Liu
Gordon Liu
Gordon Liu is a Chinese martial arts film actor. He became famous for playing the lead in The 36th Chamber of Shaolin and its sequels...
and Fu Sheng
Alexander Fu Sheng
Alexander Fu Sheng was a major Hong Kong martial arts film star in the 1970s.-Biography:...
respectively). 4th brother is captured by the Liao and is not mentioned again (in the source story he marries a Liao princess and returns). Fu Sheng
Alexander Fu Sheng
Alexander Fu Sheng was a major Hong Kong martial arts film star in the 1970s.-Biography:...
loses his mind after the death of his family, while the other brother (Gordon Liu
Gordon Liu
Gordon Liu is a Chinese martial arts film actor. He became famous for playing the lead in The 36th Chamber of Shaolin and its sequels...
), takes refuge in a temple to put his anger and past behind him. Liu's superb martial arts skill, particularly with the quarterstaff
Gun (staff)
The Chinese word gun refers to a long Chinese staff weapon used in Chinese martial arts. It is known as one of the four major weapons, along with the qiang , dao , and the jian , called in this group "The Grandfather of all Weapons".-Variants:There are various kinds of gun, and they include the...
, impress the temple's senior monks. After refusing to leave the temple at first, Liu later fights for the right to depart after he learns that his sister (Kara Hui
Kara Hui
Kara Hui Ying-Hung is a Hong Kong actress of Manchu ancestry.-Biography and career:Hui's family moved to Hong Kong in 1966 and she started working at night clubs at fourteen. In her interview on Be My Guest, Hui revealed her family lost their savings from her father's business acquaintances...
) has been captured by the conspirators and a senior monk is killed by the Mongols. Liu confronts the Mongols and during the ensuing battle to free his sister, the monks from the temple arrive to lend support and help him to defeat the Mongols.
Production
Fu Sheng died during filming and does not appear in the final showdown as originally written in the script. After Fu Sheng's death, the story was changed to center on Gordon LiuGordon Liu
Gordon Liu is a Chinese martial arts film actor. He became famous for playing the lead in The 36th Chamber of Shaolin and its sequels...
.
External links
- Eight-Diagram Pole Fighter at Hong Kong Cinemagic