Reap the Whirlwind

When you think of Taiwanese martial arts actress Angela Mao, then yes, the word ‘Whirlwind’ jumps to mind! This Limited Edition 3-disc Blu-ray box set contains four films starring Mao, all made between 1971 and 1976 which showcase the first decade of her phenomenal career.

ANGRY RIVER from 1971 (the first film produced by legendary Golden Harvest), is possibly the best among the four films on offer, depending on one's personal taste of course. Set during an unspecified time during the Imperial China period, Mao plays Lan Feng, the daughter of Lan Tin-lung, revered master of Liangyi Castle. He’s on a mission - mission being to destroy the dangerous and notorious Lunar Sect, lead by King Hell (Ying Bai).

Thus, Tin-lung assembles assembles all righteous swordsmen in the country to help him accomplish his mission…unfortunately, not only are the best four warriors eliminated one by one by King Hell (what a truly inspired name!) but when Tin-lung also falls victim to the Lunar Sect, his devastated daughter swears revenge and sets out in search for a magical herb with extraordinary healing powers and which may well cure there badly wounded father. In order to get to the precious herb, she has to cross the ‘Angry River’ first and soon finds herself confronted with some bizarre characters who guard the magical herbs, including some supernatural beings - one looks like a surreal mix between Nessie and Godzilla (clearly made of papier mache). Along the way, she befriends Leng Yu-huan (Yuen Kao), who becomes her protector of sorts.

But the way back home to the castle is long and treacherous and there are other individuals, most notably King Hell and his henchmen, who are after the precious herb and who leave no stone unturned to avoid Lan Tin-lung getting restored to health. There’s much intrigue and foul play along the way though eventually, with Leng’s help, Lan Feng makes it back to the castle, albeit too late. Now, Lan really shows what she’s capable of in order to avenge her father though there’s a heavy price to be paid… It’s beautifully photographed and Mao shows us what she’s made of, her fierce fighting tactics are hugely entertaining to watch though the film would have been just as powerful without the few supernatural elements, in particular the embarrassing looking papier mache creatures…

Unfortunately, the same can’t be said for STONER from 1974. Set in, well, 1974, Mao plays Angela Li, a secret agent cop sent on a mission to investigate a particularly vile drug ring responsible for a new designer drug called ‘Happy Pill’ which is part aphrodisiac and part hallucinogenic. Meanwhile, rough and unpolished Aussie cop Joseph Stoner (George Lazenby) is not on Her Majesty’s Secret Service but on a mission of his own: he too wants to track down the drug smuggler, who are responsible for his sister’s death after she overdosed on ‘Happy Pills’ (some may argue there are more awful ways when it comes to shuffling off this mortal coil…). Inevitably, Stoner’s path crosses that with Angela and it’s gung ho from there, but despite everyone’s best efforts, Stoner is a rather forgettable affair thanks to its sexploitation scenes, macho attitude and a somewhat incoherent plot which can’t seem to decide which direction to take.

In contrast, THE TOURNAMENT (1974) is altogether more satisfying despite a rather straightforward plot. It all starts when a bunch of nasties threaten a businessman Lau (Ko Hsian-ting), who happens to be a kung fu master running his own martial arts school, because he owes them money. Enter Chang, one of Lau’s students, travelling to Bangkok in order to participate in a Thai boxing tournament in the hope he will win and with the prize money Lau’s debt’s can be paid off. Along with Chang travels Lau’s son Kang (Carter Wong). Unfortunately, the plan ends in disaster and humiliation because neither Chang nor Kang are properly acquainted with the technique of Muay Thai boxing, with their traditional kung fu ethos very different.

Not only is the fight lost but when both return back home, the local Hong Kong martial arts leaders are beside themselves with rage as they feel that Chang and Kang have humiliated their reputation and made a laughing stock out of traditional kung fu. When word gets around, one after another of Lau’s students leave his martial arts school and when he can no longer take all the humiliation, the disgraced Lau commits suicide. Cue for his daughter Siu Fung (Angela Mao) to step in, who vows to restore honour and, together with brother Kang, travels to Bangkok to take on assorted Muay Thai boxers during a particularly fierce tournament…but not before convincing the more than sceptical and hugely sarcastic members of the the local kung fu leaders that her plan will work out. Enter Siu Fung in the boxing ring…what do you think the outcome is? No prize for guessing! Despite it’s paper-thin plot (it’s really about honour and martial arts techniques vs. Muay Thai) it’s well executed, with Sammo Hung’s (who appears in small roles in all four films) expert stunt choreography to great effect!

Finally, THE HIMALAYAN (1976) takes us back to a period a long time ago, set in ancient Nepal and Tibet. Viewers should be made aware of that there is animal torture involved during a contest scene, which may upset some viewers (including this reviewer) and modern sensibilities! That said, the setting is absolutely breathtaking and the Machiavellian plot keeps you on the edge with its surprise twists. Surprisingly, it’s not Angela Mao who is at the very center of the action but it’s scheming ‘villain’ Kao Chu (Sing Chen) and his younger brother Kao Fan (Ling Han). Both are not exactly well off (and that’s an understatement) but Chu, upon entering a gathering with many competitive games, hopes that their fate may change… As indeed it does, because powerful and wealthy kung fu master Tseng (Shan Kwan) agrees to marry off his beautiful daughter Tseng Ching Lan (Angelo Mao) to Kao Fan.

Will Kao Chu is delighted - after all, he hopes that before long, he will get his greedy hands on his future father-in-law's estate. Unfortunately for Kao, his younger brother isn’t at all pleased about the prospect of marrying noblewoman Ching Lan, because he is already betrothed to another dame back home from wherever they came from. Sensing that his plans will amount to nothing, Kao Chu murders his own brother and replaces him with a lookalike, even painting a fake birthmark on the doppelgänger’s forehead. But Kao Chu’s dastardly plans are hampered by the unexpected arrival of Tien Chiang (Tan Tao-liang), Ching Lan’s former childhood sweetheart who truly loves her smells a rat the minute he sets eyes on Kao Chu. Knowing full well that his plan of getting his hands on the estate may now crumble, Kao comes up with his meanest plot yet, involving the innocent Ching Lang accused of adultery and condemned to a terrible fate. Fear not, noble saviour Tien Chiang jumps to the rescue and together with Ching, both draw up a plan which sees Kao Chu destroyed once and for all! Once again, Sammo Hung (who has a cameo as Kao’s friend) was responsible for some of the fight choreography.

The Special Features include various audio options, audio commentaries, interviews, alternate scenes, theatrical trailers and Limited Edition collector’s booklet.