REVIEW: ‘Shaolin Hand Lock’ (1978)

The Chinese son (David Chiang) of a murdered martial arts master traces the assassin to Bangkok where he plots the death of his father’s traitorous partner (Lo Lieh) who ordered the hit.

Looking much like a film from the early ’70s boxer frenzy, Shaolin Hand Lock stars David Chiang in a mostly routine revenge flick that’s boosted by some uncommon motorcycle stunts and boat chases.

The film doesn’t waste any time getting into the thick of things. An assassin shows up at the home of martial artist Li Bai (Dick Wei), master of a technique known as the ‘Shaolin Hand Lock’ and proceeds to kill him and two students mistakenly identified as his children. Li’s son, Cheng-ying (David Chiang) vows to get revenge and follows the killer to Bangkok, Thailand where he discovers that a wealthy man named Lin Hao (Lo Lieh) paid for the killing. Instead of trying to kill Lin outright, Cheng-ying uses his kung fu skills to become the man’s trusted aid while romancing his daughter and staying one step ahead of a suspicious bodyguard named Kun-chi (Michael Chan). The situation becomes complicated by Cheng-ying’s sister (Chan Ping) who tries and fails to kill off Lin herself. It becomes known that Lin Hao betrayed Li Bai years prior, causing Cheng-ying to be separated from his mother and brother all these years. A reunion occurs as tensions mount in Lin’s house. Cheng-ying and his brother eventually confront Lin who possesses an array of hidden weapons for use against the famed Shaolin Hand Lock technique.

Shaolin Hand Lock is certainly appropriately titled, but the kung fu technique that is shown often in the film is nothing more than a cheap gimmick. In fact, it’s even a flawed one. After leaping over and behind an opponent and putting him in a chokehold, Chiang is supposed to simultaneously put a knee into the victim’s back while breaking his neck or at least cutting off his oxygen. The only problem is that it completely leaves either side of his torso open to attack should the opponent have a knife or two in hand. The genius solution is for Chiang to wear metallic plates under his clothes at all times. Bad kung fu! This is the kind of goofy nonsense one would expect from a low budget independent film, not from Shaw Brothers just as the old school era was entering its finest period.

Despite being set in modern times and featuring a gritty theme, the film relies on wirework, spring-loaded daggers up sleeves, and the simplistic title chokehold maneuver rather than straight up kung fu action. Tong Gaai’s choreography isn’t bad, it just doesn’t compare well with what emerging kung fu masters like Yuen Wo-ping and Sammo Hung were cooking up at the same time in films like Snake in the Eagle’s Shadow and Warriors Two. Tong’s best work remains within the many wuxia pien films he choreographed and his collaborations with Lau Kar-leung.

David Chiang has never been a strong screen fighter, but he gets by on the strength of his charisma which had matured since his early days with director Chang Cheh. Yet Michael Chan is actually the stronger performer both in martial arts skill and acting and gives a solid performance as an increasingly disillusioned thug. The two end up at odds for most of the film. But for the sake of drama, Chan should have met with a worse fate and probably would have, had Chang Cheh directed this film. Lo Lieh delivers his usual villain shtick while Chan Ping is a weak female lead. Lau Kar-leung student and future kung fu actress Kara Hui has only a minor throwaway role.

Shaolin Hand Lock’s strength isn’t the kung fu which is average, but several vehicle stunts. The first is a series of jumps David Chiang, or rather his double performs with a motorcycle. They’re actually pretty slick, but seem more than a little unnecessary within the context of the story. The other highlight is a series of boat chases through several channels in Thailand. All of these scenes are obviously inspired by James Bond movies and are captured with the same flair. It’s just a shame that the story and martial arts action are not strong enough to match these fun diversions.