Have legendary Hong Kong filmmaker Ng See-yuen bring together two unknown superkickers named John Liu and Hwang Jang-lee, together with the well-rounded and charismatic Don Wong Tao and you have something truly special. Add incredibly talented crew members including master action directors Chan Chuen and Tommy Lee, and the dynamic acrobatics of Yuen Biao as stunt double and you have one of the greatest kung fu classics of all-time. Thanks to some truly inspired legwork, THE SECRET RIVALS is also the undisputed king of kicking flicks!
At the time of its release, THE SECRET RIVALS could have been just another small wave in a sea of martial arts films produced in Hong Kong. Shaw Brothers films were dominating the box office and virtually everyone in the independent circuit was still obsessed with recreating the magic of Bruce Lee three years after his death. This upstart production, shot entirely in South Korea was the creative genesis of an independent filmmaker named Ng See-yuen who had just created the Seasonal Films Corporation. His claim to fame was directing a series of solid, yet generally unremarkable films in the early ’70s. His greatest gift as a kung fu filmmaker may have been an uncanny knack for surrounding himself with the most talented people. Early on, he worked alongside emerging choreographers like Yuen Wo-ping and Tommy Lee. He flirted with using quality stars like Yasuaki Kurata and Chan Sing, but THE SECRET RIVALS proved to be a major turning point.
To this day, Korean tae kwon do master Hwang Jang-lee is still affectionately known by fans as Silver Fox or Northern Leg, both names for the unforgettable villainous role he plays in THE SECRET RIVALS. This was the screen debut for this already seasoned bootmaster, brawler and one-time military combat trainer and what an impression he makes. Don’t let the goofy silver wig and headband fool you, this guy displays physical skills and natural charisma that few action stars will ever possess. Casting Hwang may have been Ng’s attempt to find someone to match the aura of Bruce Lee, but Ng was smart enough not to cast Hwang in the same mold.
Hwang doesn’t use some of the trademark leg moves he would incorporate in later films such as the mounting aerial kicks and leg locks. Like most of his films he’s used sparingly, but no matter. Kung fu fans know and love the real deal when they see it. Hwang’s power, speed and dexterity when kicking are immeasurable. His arm work, usually employing Tiger or Eagle Claw should not be overlooked either. Watch a brief exhibition sequence where he performs speedy hand work followed by a long series of spinning kicks and you will surely be amazed.
The heroes of the film are Don Wong Tao and John Liu, two more relative newcomers with excellent screen fighting skills picked by Ng. After separately converging on a small Korean town to seek out and destroy Silver Fox, the two develop a nice little rivalry based on their shared interest in a local girl. Liu is the more tortured of the two, having frequent flashbacks of his family murdered at the hands of Silver Fox. It’s inevitable that these two cross fists and feet. When they face each other we are treated to another excellent exhibition as both fighters show off their strengths. Liu’s dexterity and jaw-dropping legwork are countered by Wong Tao’s strength and form. Wong also gets to show off his lean, chiseled physique. Shame on the girl who disrupts their ensuing match before it really gets interesting. Thankfully, the two swap blows later before jointly facing Silver Fox. This film provides some of the best performances from both of the stars’ careers.
The plot is very simple, but mostly works to the film’s advantage. Ng knows how to use his resources for maximum effect without dwelling on shortcomings such as a noticeable lack of extras and murky explanations for our heroes’ motivations. The backdrop of a martial arts contest hosted by an official and friend of Silver Fox provides little distraction from the real confrontation, mostly because our heroes are not participating, that is until Don Wong Tao decides to impress the official in order to get close to Silver Fox. This action results in the most colorful moment in the movie when a big, hairy caricature of a European fighter shows up to terrorize little children and hurl insults at everyone in sight. Don Wong knocks him down a peg and sends him running away like a scared rabbit. This would be the film’s only diversion from the main action, but it is appropriately short and humorous.
The final payoff with Hwang versus Wong Tao and John Liu becomes a sublime whirl of fast-moving limbs without any cheap gimmicks such as wire use or gratuitous camera tricks. That said, whenever Silver Fox flips head over heels, its more than likely Yuen Biao stepping in with his acrobatic skills. Few kung fu stunt doubles in Hong Kong, save for Yuen Wah are capable of the gymnastic mastery seen in this film. One scene in particular is guaranteed to be a rewind moment. Biao leaps over a railing in a single roll and lands on his feet. He then cartwheels once and launches impossibly high into another tucked roll just as John Liu slides underneath.
THE SECRET RIVALS is an amazing kung fu classic that came out of no where to become a huge box office hit in 1976. It firmly established the careers of its stars and began a stunning run of outstanding films from Ng See-yuen who went on to draw from the best emerging talents in the kung fu movie business including Jackie Chan. The film also proved that tae kwon do and all high-kicking arts provided some of the most exciting screen fighting to watch, especially when performed by true masters of the craft. This is a landmark martial arts movie and a must-see for any fan of the genre.
by Mark PollardRelated Topics:
Genre: Kung Fu • Genre: Shapes • Hwang Jang-Lee • John Liu • The Secret Rivals (1976)
- Kevin27
