Dirty Ho

[paimeifist]

Small spoilers, I try to avoid them..

I just watched this for the first time today, after watching Ninja in the Dragons Den, and Secret Rivals.

The film kind of has you wondering what the hells going on for the first portion of the movie, but thats usual for most kung fu without the tired revenge plot. I was impressed by Gordon Lius acting in this, I especially liked how he had to hide his kung fu around his servant(Wong Yue). The plot was actually pretty good, and it kept the movies going a little when it seemed to be a little slow, I wasnt impressed with the kung fu except(This could be because I had just gotten through Ninja in the Dragons Den though). for the fight in the antique shop, which was pretty good, and the fight with Lo Lieh, where I thought Lo Lieh showed a superb display with his weapon. The comedy was a little weird for me, and I didnt really find it all too funny, like I did with say a Knockabout(maybe an unfair comparison), and even Ninja in the Dragons Den(but im not sure if some of that comedy was intentional, dubbing was hysterical.) I watched this movie with subtitles.

Overall, I'd rate this about a 4/5, pretty good, I will probably watch it again sometime, but there is plenty of better work from Gordon Liu and Lo Lieh.... I admit I havent seen much from Wong Yue, but I may look into him.

[KUNG FU BOB]

I just watched this for the first time today, after watching Ninja in the Dragons Den, and Secret Rivals.

I wasnt impressed with the kung fu except(This could be because I had just gotten through Ninja in the Dragons Den though). for the fight in the antique shop, which was pretty good, and the fight with Lo Lieh, where I thought Lo Lieh showed a superb display with his weapon.

Overall, I'd rate this about a 4/5, pretty good, I will probably watch it again sometime, but there is plenty of better work from Gordon Liu and Lo Lieh.... I admit I havent seen much from Wong Yue, but I may look into him.

Hi Paimeifist, welcome to the forum.

Funny, I just watched NINJA IN THE DRAGON'S DEN again too, and it's been years since I saw it. My sister and her friends wanted to see something cool with ninjas, and after pulling the film off the shelf for her, I wound up watching it again. What a fun movie!

As for DIRTY HO, I agree with most of what you said, but for me the film gets much better upon a second viewing. And I will also say that I was a bit underwhelmed the first time by some of the kung fu too. I was expecting HEROES OF THE EAST style full-on combat, and DIRTY HO's fights were so subtle. But, after studying some chi na (locking, trapping, wrist manipulations, ect), then seeing the film again, I now find the "wine tasting" sequence to be pure martial bliss! I highly recommend you check out that scene again. It's just incredible.

[inframan]

"Dirty Ho gettin low with his flow, introducing the Ghostface Killah!" Sorry that line goes through my head everytime I hear Dirty Ho.

I was lucky enough to see it on the big screen a few years back when Shaw's sent some 35mm prints of some of their films to the US. It went over really well with the crowd, really fun movie. I've got a copy on DVD and plan on watching it again soon. Should be interesting the second time since I've seen a lot more kung fu and Shaw Brothers movies since I first saw it.

I heard that is based on Shakespeare's Henry IV, but I don't know his work very well, I got by on cliffnotes with Shakespeare.

[jiujitsu77]

:yociexp60:i just wanted to put that in there

yeah inframan....when i was a kid i had no idea about the wutang...when i realized ghostface killah referenced it, it has stuck in my head ever since. seriously....the only reason i opened my mind to hip hop was because of wtc

[paimeifist]

Funny, the only reason I started watching kung fu is because of the Wu... Was a hip hop head way before I watched kung fu.

[DiScIpLe]

first tiem i watched this movie was on bootleg english dubb, bad picutre and sound.

great movie , but i tell my freinds the title and they give me a funny look.
lol

great movie , great sets and lavish .. one of shaws greatest.

[HARDCUPID]

the only reason I started watching kung fu is because of the Wu
great movie , great sets and lavish .. one of shaws greatest.

[HARDCUPID]

the only reason I started watching kung fu is because of the Wu
great movie , great sets and lavish .. one of shaws greatest.

where the linksto download this movie i am send a post reply but links not apper

[HARDCUPID]

the only reason I started watching kung fu is because of the Wu
great movie , great sets and lavish .. one of shaws greatest.

where the linksto download this movie i am send a post reply but links not apper

[HARDCUPID]

DIRTY HO is one of Chia Liang Liu’s best-directed films, probably second only to THE MASTER KILLER. Liu masterfully plays to the strengths of his stars, and actually works from a screenplay crammed with plot, character definition, and inventive dialog (the script is by I. Kuang, the Shaw Brother’s greatest screenwriter). The focal point of the film is the character of Ho Chi (Wang Yu), who begins the film as a reckless brawler. When he meets the eleventh Prince (who bilks jewelry from Ho), a rivalry is immediately established. But the Prince does not partake of the rivalry and sees Ho as a man of great potential. So when Ho is forced to become the Prince’s disciple, the resentment boils to the surface. Ho eventually grows to see the Prince in a favorable light. And after the Prince teaches him Kung Fu, Ho is proud to call him master. The script portrays the eleventh Prince as very proud and cultured individual. The antagonists use his love of wine, antiques, and fine art to bait him. On yeah, don’t forget Chia Liang Liu handles humor in these films better than Yuen Woo Ping. The pacing is right on, even though there are moments when the movie stalls, like when Ho faces the Seven Tigresses. Chia Liang Liu employs kinetic camera work and rapid editing that foreshadowed the modern wire-fu fests that are popular today. DIRTY HO solidifies Chia Liang Lui’s reputation as the second best Kung Fu director (after Chang Cheh, of course).

Gordon Liu gives a career performance as the multi-faceted eleventh Prince. In all his other films (like SHAOLIN DRUNKEN MONK, RETURN OF THE MASTER KILLER, or WARRIOR FROM SHAOLIN) Liu either plays the stereotypical role of a monk or a naïve Kung Fu student. Those films hardly present any opportunities to show his range. DIRTY HO, on the other hand, shows Gordon Liu in a whole new light, and demonstrates his charisma. His character of the eleventh Prince is a noble one, but the audience is not aware of this fact as the movie begins. Gordon plays the character of Mr. Wang as a rogue or a swindler. Mr. Wang poisons Ho Chi, and then demands that the young man become his disciple if he wants to live. We’ve never seen Liu act in such a negative manner, but it shows his depth. Even though Liu behaves like a con man, his every word and nuance projects humor into every scene. Wang Yu is not quite as successful in delivering the laughs, but together they possess great chemistry. Lo Lieh is his usual bad-ass self, but it’s a shame he didn’t get more screen time, as his martial arts skills are only hinted at (until he cuts loose in the last act).

[Drunken Monk]

I know I'm dragging this one back up but I finished watching "Dirty Ho" again last night, as it's my wife's favourite kung fu movie and she wanted something to watch.

I personally think it's up there with the best of the best. This is probably because I really enjoy the "oblivious fights," you know, when two characters fight whilst pretending not to fight a la Hwang Jang Lee and Yuen Siu Tien in "Dance of the Drunken Mantis."
I adore "Dirty Ho." It's funny, charismatic, zany (the 7 tigers, anyone?) and I really enjoy the action. It might not be perfect but it's above par. It also has one of my favourite Gordon Liu performances.

[KUNG FU BOB]

Sorry, I know I always mention this... but the "wine tasting" scene is a freaking masterpiece! My sister stopped by today, and I was actually going to show her this scene, but unfortunately she couldn't stay long.