The directorial debut for Sammo Hung, who over his long career has made some of the most exciting and well choreographed action comedies in Hong Kong's history. He also plays the starring role in this one as a long-haired monk who finds himself battling various Manchu baddies in a sometimes convoluted plot. You know the routine for this one: it starts out as a light knockabout comedy before becoming much darker as time goes on. There are graphic rape scenes (censored in the UK print), massacres and all manner of bad behaviour, but the pace is solid and the action very good, particularly as we move on to the climax. The excellent cast includes a rare good-guy turn from Chen Sing alongside Fung Hark-on's baddie, and bit parts for future greats like Mars, Eric Tsang and Lam Ching-ying.
Review of Iron Fisted Monk
