By Mark Pollard | Published March 19, 2009

Fourth Strike, a new DVD label for independent old school kung fu movies has been launched. The label is kicking off with an initial lineup of three Taiwanese kung fu rarities sure to please collectors. Titles include DRAGONS NEVER DIE, ONE-ARMED CHIVALRY FIGHTS AGAINST ONE-ARMED CHIVALRY and THE REBEL BOXER. All three are available now at Far East Flix, an independent reseller of mostly classic Asian cinema on DVD.

Look for reviews of each title and more details about this new venture in coming days. For now, here is a list of titles with descriptions, cover art and trailers.

DRAGONS NEVER DIE (1974)
AKA: KUNG FU OF 10TH DAN

Li Tin-ming (Alex Lung) travels the countryside with his sidekick, Hsiao San (Hon Gwok-choi), defeating any martial arts school they come across in an effort to test his “Kung Fu 10th Dan.”

Having become a heroic figure for killing a feared villain named “The Leopard,” Li soon questions his actions of testing his skills and the violence that is born from the neverending fighting. Upon making a decision to fight no more, a new gang enslaves the town previously set from the claws of The Leopard. Li once again must take action to prove that DRAGONS NEVER DIE.

Action filled and obscure kung fu film with a message. One of the better bashers of the tim with an accent towards the Bruce Lee style of fight choreography. The main cast, except for star Alex Lung, was featured in numerous classic Shaw Brothers productions such as COME DRINK WITH ME, BOXER REBELLION and THE 36TH CHAMBER OF SHAOLIN.

Finally, fans of independent old school kung fu films will get to see this lost gem on widescreen DVD for the first time ever!

Running Time: 94 minutes
Aspect Ratio: 4:3 / 2:35:1 Widescreen
Language: English

(WARNING! The following trailer contains brief nudity and is not work-safe.)

ONE ARMED CHIVALRY FIGHTS AGAINST ONE ARMED CHIVALRY (1972)
AKA: POINT THE FINGER OF DEATH

The patriotic Kuang Wah Association has tried and failed to overthrow the Qing government. Chi Chu-chang, a top fighter in the clan, sets out to recruit new warriors. The Qing, however, are aware of their plans.

Chi is tricked into rescuing a young woman and loses an arm in the process. It is soon revealed there are traitors within the Kuang Wah circle. One of them, Pan Keung-yan, attempts to drive a wedge between the group’s members and framing the righteous Chi for rape and murder.

Another one-armed swordsman, Lu Tien-chu, surfaces who bears a secret grudge against Pan and the Qing for a wrong committed 15 years prior. Both Chi and Lu, through unfortunate circumstances, are destined to clash. During the finale, the truth is discovered and the two crippled swordsmen duel with the traitors and the Qing lord, Hu Ta, to the death.

Jimmy Wang Yu returns to the role of a one-armed fighter that made him an Asian sensation at Shaw Brothers studios. Combining elements of Chang Cheh’s ONE-ARMED SWORDSMAN and his Shaolin cycle films, it’s another solid indie production with a stellar Shaw Brothers cast and a must for any Wang Yu fan.

Running Time: 92 minutes
Aspect Ratio: 4:3 Full Screen
Language: English

In addition to Wang Yu, this film also stars genre favorites Lau Kar-wing, also the action director, and Leung Kar-yan.

THE REBEL BOXER
AKA: MA SU CHEN

After narrowly escaping death at the hands of the Axe Gang, Ma Yung Chen goes into hiding to heal his wounds. Meanwhile, a group of Japanese martial arts experts are dispatched to avenge one of their brothers on Ma. A letter is sent by way of Ma’s female servant to alert his sister, Ma Su-chen, but she is intercepted by the vicious hooligans. After learning of the sister and discovering Ma Yung-chen’s location, the thugs fail once more in killing him. Attention is turned to his sister whi is now also searching for her brother. Suspecting he has been killed, the sister seeks revenge on the mobsters.

Proving to be a formidable opponent, a devious plan is hatched to deal with Ma Su-chen. During the finale, brother and sister unite to quell the racketeers in a bloody factory fight showdown.

Wang Yu8 returns in this sequel to FURIOUS SLAUGHTER (1972), this time joined by Nancy Yen as the title heroine. Shot back-to-back and released just a few months after the first film, fans of Chang Cheh’s BOXER FROM SHANTUNG (1972) will get a kick, and quite a few punches out of this variation on the Shaw Brothers classic original.

Running Time: 78 minutes
Aspect Ratio: 16:9 Widescreen
Language: English (some Mandarin)

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Alex Lung  •  DVD  •  Fourth Strike  •  Hon Gwok-choi  •  Jimmy Wang Yu  •  Lau Kar-wing  •  Leung Ka-yan  •  Nancy Yen  •  One Arm Chivalry Fight Against One Arm Chivalry (1977)  •  upcoming  •  Videos  •  Wuxia