Chang Cheh’s Boxer from Shantung is a film I would characterize as a kung fu ‘brawler.’ By this, I mean that the kung fu this film features is primarily of the brawling type. To clarify, in a brawl, one man fends off dozens of other opponents as they attack him in ones or twos, using relatively simple moves that consist of powerful straight punches and kicks that stop an enemy cold. Even when the hero takes on fighters of a higher caliber, his technique changes little.
This is not to say that the kung fu in Boxer from Shantung is poorly done, choreographed, or filmed. Rather, the film’s kung fu is different from that found in other Shaw Brothers classics, such as Fist of the White Lotus, The Master, or Avenging Eagle. In these films, the kung fu fighting involves a series of complicated exchanges between its combatants, including a lot of tumbling, various weaponry, trapping, locks, and circular movements.
The fighting sequences in Boxer from Shantung are much more similar to that found in Bruce Lee’s films, with their sweeping kicks, straight punches, elbows, and an array of weapons limited to hatchets and knives. In fact, a lot of the scenes in Boxer from Shantung are reminiscent of The Big Boss or Fists of Fury, down to the simple, blue clothing that the hero wears.
Like Bruce Lee’s films, Boxer from Shantung focuses on the life of a lone martial artist who is trying to make it in the world. The hero, Ma Yung-Cheng, has arrived in Shanghai with big dreams, empty pockets, a strong sense of pride, and impressive fighting skills. His headstrong ways bring him into conflict with local gangs, and he fights anyone who challenges him without hesitation. In this manner, he witnesses the respect and wealth that the leaders of the local gangs enjoy, and decides that he too, should reach such a powerful position.
Boxer from Shantung has a realistic feel about it that is unchallenged by colorful costumes, wire-work stunts, or magic powers. The city of Shanghai is portrayed as a tough place where everyone works hard to get by. Ma is an ordinary man who has spent years training in the martial arts, and fights with courage and tenacity. He bests his opponents through his skill and determination, rarely picking up a weapon, even as they freely attack him armed, and en masse. The criminal element is represented by thuggish characters that bully anyone who gets in their way, and don’t hesitate to use trickery to achieve their selfish ends.
What makes Ma stand out as a hero is his integrity, tempered by a deep sense of pride. Despite his poverty, he passes on various forms of charity, claiming that he only wants to take money or services that he has earned. He fights anyone who quarrels with him or his friends, and refuses to acknowledge assumed authority. Once he becomes a gang leader in his own right, he avoids pressuring his poor charges for revenue by attempting a takeover of a rival gang’s casino. This involves walking into the casino, asking for the manager, telling them he is taking over, and then taking on the entire casino staff singled-handed. Such directness and belief in one’s own abilities makes Ma an admirable hero.
Boxer from Shantung runs at 129 minutes, and is thus one of the longer Shaw Brothers films out there. The film uses this extra length to tell the full story of Ma’s rise, as well as include a number of scenes that show the machinations of the Yang gang. Unfortunately, little time is invested in Ma’s character development as he gains stature in the underworld. While his facial expressions seem to imply that he is unhappy with the outcome, there is not enough evidence to support this conclusion. Up until the end, Ma remains the same, proud fighter who believes in the direct approach, and the power of his fists to set things right.
There are quite a few fight scenes in Boxer from Shantung, and they are evenly paced throughout the film to keep things interesting. The final scene is a Grand Guignol that defies any expectations, and will stun even the most jaded kung fu adherent. By the film’s end, one is left with the impression that they have witnessed the tragic story of a remarkable hero that chose a crooked path, and paid for this choice with his life.
* * * * *
The Old School Kung Fu Breakdown
Memorable Characters
As the hero, Ma Yung-Cheng is the most memorable character of the film. His pride, fighting skills, and honesty will remind many fans of the characters Bruce Lee liked to play in his films.
Memorable Fights
In the middle of the film, Ma hears of a contest to try and knock down a European wrestler, with the prize being a sizeable sum of money. He goes to the hall where this takes place, and watches as three contestants take on a huge, burly wrestler, and lose. Each of these early fights is short, yet interesting to watch, and increase the anticipation for Ma’s try at this foreign upstart. This anticipation is fulfilled with a good fight that ends in a massive brawl.
Two other fight scenes stand out in the film, each for the same reason. The first the fight between Tan, one of the gang leaders, and numerous members of the rival Yang gang. Early on in the fight, Tan is mortally wounded by a betrayer, and forced to fight multiple foes armed with knives while bleeding to death. And this he does, with a grace and skill that is awesome to see.
The other memorable fight sequence is the final one, which pits Ma Yung-Cheng against what may be the entire Yang gang in a tea house. As in Tan’s fight, Ma is wounded at the very beginning, and fights while bleeding from this mortal blow. The fight scene is long, bloody, and goes on for what seems like an eternity. Ma takes on dozens of men, and kills at least half of them with his bare fists. The blood keeps gushing while Ma keeps fighting, and by its end, the tea house is a wreck, there are bodies everywhere, and Ma looks like a madman possessed by a bloodthirsty demon.
Memorable Set Piece
The final fight in the tea house will burn itself into any viewer’s brain. Ma Yung-Cheng attempts to crawl up the winding staircase to the second floor, where Boss Yang is watching, no less than four times. Each time he leaves more blood on the stairs, and each time he is kicked off. It is gruesome to behold.
Entertainment Value – Lasting Impressions
Boxer from Shantung is ultimately a tragedy, and worth watching for its proud, courageous hero. The story is decent, and compelling enough to watch from start to finish. The fight scenes are massive, and what they lack in technical elements, they more than compensate with intensity, and sheer number of participants.
