Knockabout (1979)

This is a terrific classical kung fu picture that has the distinction of starring Yuen Biao in his first leading role.

Zippo and Harpo, two brothers and misfit conmen with average kung fu skills manage to get into all sorts of trouble. When a seasoned martial arts expert named Old Fox outsmarts them, they convince him to teach them kung fu. After learning some skills they discover that their teacher is actually a criminal. To hide the truth, Harpo is killed, but Zippo manages to escape. Zippo meets up with a seemingly crazy beggar whose kung fu skills are superior. Zippo tricks the beggar into teaching him his kung fu to avenge the death of his brother but the beggar has his own intentions.

Yuen Biao really gets to shine in his first role with some excellent displays of acrobatics and kung fu. There are quite a few memorable and fun fights that Sammo uses to highlight Yuen’s unique skills. After developing his kicking skills from the Old Fox, Yuen’s character takes on all comers with unbelievably flexible and dynamic kicks that would leave any bootmaster such as Tan Tao-Liang jealous. Sammo does what has proven most successful and that is to play a comical supporting role that has similarities to his role in The Prodigal Son, also starring Yuen Biao. Hong Kong funny man, Karl Maka makes a short but entertaining appearance as the police official, wielding a pistol and massaging his trademark bald head like a madman.

Sammo plays up the humor to good effect with only a small bit of drama to play out Harpo’s death. In fact, the whole film is filled with gags ranging from weasel-like characters stroking hairy moles to the very climax involving a great double-dutch match between Yuen and Lau while jump roping. You don’t see that in film very often.