In regards to the chronology, several of the Venoms' films were
lensed back to back and released upon completion of editing and
post-production (some much later than others), so the production order
(not release order) would look something more like this:
Production Order:
[The bracketed dates are the release dates, not the production dates,
and the asterisked (*) comments were made by Tom Fardy.]
1 THE FANTASTIC MAGIC BABY [8/15/75] (aka CHILD IN RED) {*1st on-screen
appearance of Kuo Chui as a stone statue come to life}
0 THE HELL [1/19/80] {*1st Li Yi-Min, began in 1975 without any venomous
involvement, but would later be reworked to include them and ultimately released
as HEAVEN AND HELL in 1980.}
1 BOXER REBELLION [1/29/76] (aka SPIRITUAL FISTS aka THE BLOODY AVENGERS) {Kuo
Chui app. as a spiritual acrobat.}
3 MARCO POLO [12/12/75] (aka THE FOUR ASSASSINS) {*Kuo Chui received
introduction billing in credits. Chang Cheh and Liu Chia-Liang part ways and
Robert Tai Chi-Hsien comes aboard bringing Lu Feng and Chao Kang-Sheng (aka
Chiang Sheng) with him. They appear as Tartar barbarians. Of the Venoms, only
Kuo Chui received billing (as Kuo Tsui); Lu Feng and Chiang Shiang were
second-unit. The three of them appear as guest-stars at the finale.}
3 NEW SHAOLIN BOXERS [9/03/76]-- Fu Sheng, "Jenny," Wang Lung Wei, Leung Kar Yan
(US: DEMON FISTS OF KUNG-FU) {*Cameo appearances by Lu Feng, Chiang Sheng and
Wang Li as thugs, and Kuo Chui as Fu Sheng's classmate. Started filming about
the same time as MARCO POLO (aka THE FOUR ASSASSINS) so it would fit in nicely
between that and SHAOLIN AVENGERS (aka THE INVINCIBLE KUNG-FU BROTHERS).}
3 SHAOLIN AVENGERS [6/18/1976] [Dir w/ Wu Ma]-- Fu Sheng, Chi Kuan-chun, Tang
Yen-tsan, Lu Feng, Chiang Sheng, Kuo Chui (aka THE INVINCIBLE KUNG-FU BROTHERS)
{*1st on-screen appearances of Chiang Sheng and Lu Feng as Fu Sheng's kung-fu
classmates}
2 SEVEN MAN ARMY [4/16/76] {*Cameo Appearance by Lu Feng as Ti Lung's beheaded
commander, Kuo Chui appears in Japanese make-up against Chi Kuan-Chun, Wang Li
appears as Chen Kuan-Tai's rescuer.}
3 MAGNIFICENT WANDERERS [5/27/77] (U.S. Title: MAGNIFICENT KUNG-FU WARRIORS)
{*Guest-starring Kuo Chui and Lu Feng as Mongolian wrestlers, with Chiang Sheng
as a Mongol}
4 SHAOLIN TEMPLE [12/22/76] [Dir, Writer]-- Fu Sheng, David Chiang, Ti Lung, Chi
Kuan Chun, Kuo Chui, Chiang Sheng, Lu Feng; 1st app. Lo Mang as a slain monk.
Debut: Ku Feng (aka DEATH CHAMBER) {*Lo Mang is the very first person you see
on the screen after the Shawscope (or World Northal) logo at the beginning of the
film! He plays the monk on the right side of the screen. He appears all
throughout the film as a bald monk, shirtless, or in a blue robe. He is clearly
seen taking a stance before getting himself killed (as usual) by Lu Feng's
archers.}
4 THE NAVAL COMMANDOS [4/7/77] [Made in Taiwan]-- Fu Sheng, Chi Kuan-chun, Ti
Lung, David Chiang, Kuo Chui, Chiang Sheng, Lu Feng, Lo Meng {*Kuo Chui, Chiang
Sheng, and Lu Feng are the titular Naval Commandos; Lo Mang appears as a
bodyguard/thug. 1st app. of Yu Tai-Ping (aka "beak nose") and Yang Hsuing (aka
"Brass Head"). Lu Feng, along with Kuo and Chiang are the actual Commandos the
film title refers to, along with Tang Yen-Tsan, Yu Tai-Ping, and Yang Hsiung!
Ti Lung, Chi Kuan-Chun and Liu Yung are their superiors and Shih Szu, David
Chiang & Fu Sheng are undercover spies. Lo Mang appears as a Japanese
thug/bouncer in the film starting at 35:58.}
4 BRAVE ARCHER [7/30/77]-- Fu Sheng, Ku Kuan-chun, Danny Lee, Dick Wei, Ti Lung,
Ku Feng, Kuo Chui [aka Philip Kwok], Lo Meng, Lu Feng, Chiang Sheng (US: KUNG FU
WARLORD, Worldwide: SHAOLIN ARCHERS) {*Lo Mang is billed with his real name Luo
Kuen Lin. 1st app. Kara Hui Ying-Hung, stays with Chang Cheh through Invincible
Shaolin.}
4 LIFE GAMBLE [4/26/78 in Taiwan, 2/22/79 in HK]-- Kuo Chui, Fu Sheng, Lo Meng,
Lu Feng, Wang Lung Wei, Hui Ying Hung, Chiang Sheng (billed as Chao Kang-Sheng)
(aka LIFE COMBAT) {*Lo Mang receives introduction billing in credits under his
stage name Lo Mang for the first time.}
5 THE CHINATOWN KID [12/2/77]-- Fu Sheng, Kuo Chui, Chiang Sheng, Lu Feng;
Debut: Sun Chien {*1st appearance of Sun Chien. Sun Chien and Lo Mang's first
co-starring roles, Wang Li appears uncredited as Tsai Hung's bodyguard/assassin
in scenes found in the export (US) version only, and not in the Chinese
versions!}
5 HEAVEN AND HELL [1/19/80]-- David Chiang, Maggie Li Lin-lin, Li Yi-min, Kuo
Chui, Lo Meng, Sun Chien, Tang Yen-tsan, Fu Sheng, Chiang Sheng, Lu Feng (aka
THE HELL aka SHAOLIN HELLGATE) {*1st Li Yi-Min, began in 1975 without any
venomous involvement, but would later be reworked to include them. With David
Chiang, Maggie Li Lin-Lin, Shih Szu and Liu Chia-Yung unavailable, the project
is reworked to incorporate cast of The Chinatown Kid in flashbacks to their
characters' mortal lives. Venoms mob complete the third act, working around
footage with Li Yi-Min. Finally sees release in January 1980.}
6 THE BRAVE ARCHER, THE SEQUEL [5/13/78]-- Fu Sheng, Chang Cheh, Wang Lung Wei,
Ku Feng, Kuo Chui, Ti Lung, Sun Chien, Lu Feng, Lo Meng, Chiang Sheng, Wei Pai
(US: KUNG FU WARLORDS, PART II, Worldwide: SHAOLIN ARCHERS PART 2) {*1st app.
Wei Pai, as a swordsman during a flashback sequence.}
6 INVINCIBLE SHAOLIN [11/19/78]-- Wang Lung-wei, Chiang Sheng, Adam Cheng, Sun
Chien, Lu Feng, Lo Meng, Kuo Chui, Hui Ying-hung, Tu Lung [aka Dick Wei], Wei
Pai (aka US: UNBEATABLE DRAGON, Worldwide: SHAOLIN BLOODSHED; aka NORTH SHAOLIN
VS. SOUTH SHAOLIN) {*1st film to star Chang's Taiwanese Cohorts without the
star power of Ti Lung or Fu Sheng. Is this the first official Venoms film to be
lensed? Yes. Released, no. Five Venoms was completed while Invincible Shaolin
was in the post-production/editing stages and released shortly thereafter. It
was originally intended to follow Ten Tigers, but upon being put on hold, it was
decided WU DU (5 venoms) would make a better introductory film for his new band
of cohorts in the absence of Fu Sheng and/or Ti Lung, so efforts shifted to
become concentrated on that film first. Last Kara Hui Ying-Hung, departs for
Liu Chia-Liang's camp, debuts in Dirty Ho (1979).}
6 TEN TIGERS OF KUANGTUNG [12/20/80] [Dir w/ Chiang Sheng and Chen Yu-wen]-- Ti
Lung, Fu Sheng, Wang Lung-wei, Ku Feng, Chiang Sheng, Lu Feng, Lo Meng, Kuo
Chui, Sun Chien, Lung Tien Sheng, Hsiao Ho, Wei Pai, Wang Li {*Begun in 1978.
Original footage is shelved until 1980, where it is used as flashback sequences
narrated by Chien Hsiao-Hao and Lung Tien-Sheng.}
6 THE FIVE VENOMS [8/12/78]-- Sun Chien, Kuo Chui, Chiang Sheng, Ku Feng, Lo
Meng, Wei Pai, Wang Lung-wei, Tu Lung [aka Dick Wei], Lu Feng (US: THE FIVE
DEADLY VENOMS, Worldwide: SHAOLIN DEADLY POISONS) {*2nd film with Chang's
Cohorts produced without any established Shaw stars.}
6 THE KID WITH THE GOLDEN ARM [11/2/79]-- Sun Chien, Lo Meng, Lu Feng, Chiang
Sheng, Kuo Chui, Pau Ping-chang, Wang Lung-wei, Wei Pai, Dick Wei. {*Last Wei
Pai, who leaves with Chang's protege Wu Yu-Sen (John Woo) to make "Last Hurrah
For Chivalry" at rival studio Golden Harvest.}
5 CRIPPLED AVENGERS [12/21/78]-- Chen Kuan-tai, Wang Lung-wei, Lo Meng, Lu Feng,
Kuo Chui [aka Philip Kwok], Sun Chien, Chiang Sheng, Dick Wei [aka Tu Lung] (US:
MORTAL COMBAT; aka CRIPPLED HEROES, aka AVENGING HANDICAPPED, aka RETURN OF THE
5 DEADLY VENOMS) {*First Venoms film without Wei Pai. Last Chen Kuan-Tai film
for Chang Cheh whilst at Shaw Studios.}
5 SHAOLIN RESCUERS [3/24/79]-- Lo Meng, Kuo Chui, Lu Feng, Jason Pai Piao, Sun
Chien, Chiang Sheng, Ku Kuan-chung (aka AVENGING WARRIORS OF SHAOLIN) {*Wang
Li's first co-starring role; receives introduction billing in credits.}
5 MAGNIFICENT RUFFIANS [9/20/79]-- Lu Feng, Lo Meng, Wang Li, Chiang Sheng, Kuo
Chui, Sun Chien, Wang Lai, Liu An Li (US: THE DESTROYERS; aka DESTROYERS OF THE
FIVE DEADLY VENOMS)
5 THE DAREDEVILS [6/29/79]-- Lo Meng, Chiang Sheng, Lu Feng, Kuo Chui, Sun
Chien, Wang Li (US: DAREDEVILS OF KUNG FU, aka SHAOLIN DAREDEVILS, aka VENOM
WARRIORS) {*Wang Li makes a heel turn and replaces Wang Lung-Wei as the villain
for the remainder of the series.}
5 REBEL INTRUDERS [9/11/80]-- Kuo Chui, Lo Meng, Chiang Sheng, Sun Chien, Lu
Feng, Wang Li (US: KILLER ARMY, Worldwide: THE GUERILLAS) {*1st app. Chien
Hsiao-Hao. Linda Chu's first contract film for Chang Cheh. Last Yang Hsiung
("Brass Head") film for Chang Cheh.}
5 BRAVE ARCHER, PART 3 [11/12/81]-- Fu Sheng, Lo Meng, Ti Lung, Kuo Chui,
Chiang Sheng, Sun Chien, Lu Feng, Li Li-li, Chu Ko (US: BLAST OF THE IRON PALM;
aka KUNG FU WARLORDS, PART III) {*Last Ti Lung film for Chang Cheh whilst at
Shaw Studios. Shelved, then completed in 1981 with the participation of
newcomers Cheng Tien-Chi and Chu Ko.}
4 TWO CHAMPIONS OF SHAOLIN [4/12/80]-- Lo Meng, Chiang Sheng, Sun Chien, Yang
Tsing-tsing, Lu Feng, Wang Li, Wen Hsueh Erh Intro: Chien Hsiao-hao (US: TWO
CHAMPIONS OF DEATH; Worldwide: SHAOLIN AGAINST WU-TANG) {*Lo Mang's exclusive
contract with Chang Cheh expires and signs on with Shaw Brothers as a contract
player. He begins working with various directors at the Shaw Studio and appears
in films such as LION VS LION, CLAN FEUDS, HUMAN LANTERNS, HEX AFTER HEX, FAST
FINGERS, CRAZY SHAOLIN DISCIPLES and PURSUIT OF A KILLER. Lo Mang would return
one more time for FIVE ELEMENTS NINJAS in 1982. Sun Chien's exclusive contract
with Chang also expires and signs on with Shaws as a contract player appearing
in films such as HUMAN LANTERNS, SPIRIT OF THE SWORD, and THE LADY IS THE BOSS.
Sun Chien would return for HOUSE OF TRAPS and ODE TO GALLANTRY. Chien Hsiao-Hao
makes his debut as one of Chang Cheh's godsons and receives introduction billing
in credits. Wen Hsueh-Erh's first contract film for Chang Cheh.}
3 LEGEND OF THE FOX [11/15/80]-- Kuo Chui, Lu Feng, Chiang Sheng, Chien
Hsiao-hao {*Linda Chu's second contract film for Chang Cheh.}
3 ODE TO GALLANTRY [12/16/82]-- Kuo Chui in two roles, Sun Chien, Wang Li,
Chiang Sheng, Chu Ko and Cheng Tien-chi. {*Wen Hsueh-Erh 2nd contract film for
Chang Cheh. Shelved, then completed in 1982 with the participation of newcomers
Cheng Tien-Chi and Chu Ko.}
3 THE FLAG OF IRON [8/14/80]-- Kuo Chiu, Chiang Sheng, Lung Tien Sheng, Lu Feng,
Wang Li (US: THE SPEARMAN OF DEATH) {*Lung Tien Sheng makes his debut.}
3 SWORD STAINED WITH ROYAL BLOOD [3/6/81]-- Kuo Chui, Lu Feng, Chiang Sheng,
Ching Li, Shan Shen, Lung Tien Sheng, Wang Li {*1st app. Chao Kuo and Chu Ko.
Wen Hsueh-Erh's third contract film for Chang Cheh.}
3 BRAVE ARCHER AND HIS MATE [2/25/82]-- Kuo Chui, Fu Sheng, Chiang Sheng, Lu
Feng (Wordwide: MYSTERIOUS ISLAND; aka BRAVE ARCHER, PART IV) {*Wen Hsueh-Erh's
fourth contract film for Chang Cheh. Lung Tien-Sheng appears as Yang Kang,
originally portrayed by Li Yi-Min (Pt.s 1 & 2) and Yu Tai-Ping (Pt. 3). This
would be Fu Sheng's final film for Chang Cheh before his untimely death.}
6 TEN TIGERS OF KUANGTUNG [12/20/80] [Dir w/ Chiang Sheng and Chen Yu-wen]-- Ti
Lung, Fu Sheng, Wang Lung-wei, Ku Feng, Chiang Sheng, Lu Feng, Lo Meng, Kuo
Chui, Sun Chien, Lung Tien Sheng, Hsiao Ho, Wei Pai, Wang Li {*Framing
sequences completed with the participation of Chien Hsiao-Hao & Lung Tien-Sheng.
Finally released December 1980.}
3 MASKED AVENGERS [5/15/81]-- Chiang Sheng, Hsiao Ho, Kuo Chui, Wang Li, Lu
Feng, Lhien Siu Hao, Chu Ko {*Chu Ko makes his insidious debut.}
4 HOUSE OF TRAPS (1/9/82)-- Lu Feng, Wang Li, Sun Chien, Kuo Chui, Hsiao Ho,
Chiang Sheng, Lung Tien Sheng, Chu Ko
FIVE ELEMENT NINJA [4/21/82]-- Cheng Tien-Chi, Lo Meng, Wang Li, Chu Ko, Yu
Tai-ping (US: SUPER NINJAS; Worldwide: THE CHINESE SUPERNINJAS) {*Last Lo Mang
app. in a Chang Cheh film.}
THE WEIRD MAN [5/5/83]-- Cheng Tien-Chi {*By this time, the Venoms cast has
been replaced by their Super Ninja clones.}
-----
3 RUTHLESS TACTICS [1982] [Dir Kuo Chui, not Chang Cheh]-- Ti Lung, Kuo Chui,
Lu Feng, Chiang Sheng, Yasuaki Kurata [aka Shoji Kurata] (US: NINJA IN THE
DEADLY TRAP, Worldwide: NINJITSU, Korean Title: THE HERO DEFEATING JAPS; aka
NINJA KUNG FU)
NINE DEMONS [1983]-- Cheng Tien-Chi
ATTACK OF THE JOY GODDESS [1983]-- Cheng Tien-Chi, Lu Feng and Chiang Sheng
THE DANCING WARRIOR [1984]-- Cheng Tien-Chi
SHANGHAI THIRTEEN [1984]-- all-star cast including Lu Feng and Chiang Sheng.
=====
The following Shaw Brothers films were NOT directed by Chang Cheh:
FATAL STRIKE [ETERNAL FILM CO. 1977] (U.S. Title: SOUL BROTHERS OF KUNG-FU)
{*Lo Mang battles Bruce Li, Ku Feng and Carl R. Scott}
LION VERSUS LION [2/19/81] (U.S. Title: ROAR OF THE LION)
{*Lo Mang teams-up with young Wang Yu}
BATTLE FOR THE REPUBLIC OF CHINA [10/9/81]
{*Lo Mang alongside Ti Lung and Wang Yu.}
CLAN FEUDS [2/19/82]
{*Lo Mang & Sun Chien co-star with Ti Lung}
HEX AFTER HEX [6/23/82]
{*Lo Mang goes it alone in this modern horror-comedy}
HUMAN LANTERNS [7/14/82] (International Title: THE HUMAN SKIN LANTERN)
{*Lo Mang and Sun Chien co-star alongside Lo Lieh, Chen Kuan-Tai and Tony Liu
Yung}
THE SPIRIT OF THE SWORD [6/17/82]
{*Sun Chien app.}
THE LADY IS THE BOSS [3/31/83]
{*Sun Chien battles Gordon Liu Chia-Hui as the only member of Chang Cheh's
Venoms Mob to appear in a Liu Chia-Liang film!}
HOLY FLAME OF THE MARTIAL WORLD [6/10/83]
{*Kuo Chui app.}
DEMON OF THE LUTE [8/4/83]
{*Kuo Chui and Chien Hsiao-Hao team-up alongside Hui Ying-Hung}
MEN FROM THE GUTTER [10/14/83]
{*Lo Mang app.}
FAST FINGERS [11/17/83]
{*Lo Mang and Chien Hsiao-Hao}
THE ENCHANTRESS [?/?/83]
{*Kuo Chui and Chiang Sheng app. in their only film for director Chu Yuan}
CRAZY SHAOLIN DISCIPLES [1/5/85]
{*Lo Mang, Kuo Chui and Chien Hsiao-Hao alongside Gordon Liu Chia-Hui, Wang Yu
and Lo Lieh}
PURSUIT OF A KILLER [9/20/85]
{*Lo Mang and Sun Chien alongside Jason Pai Piao}
/////
The following films are NOT Shaw Brothers productions...
FIGHT AMONG THE SUPERS
{*Chiang Sheng battles Lu Feng as the supernatural demi-gods of cookery}
[5 Venoms vs Wu Tang is actually Ku Fu Vampire Buster (1987)-- Lu Feng and
Chiang Sheng]
WU-TANG VAMPIRE
{*Lu Feng app.}
HARD BOILED
{*Kuo Chui appears as "Mad Dog", Lo Mang cameos as a Triad thug}
TREASURE HUNT (International Title: AMERICAN SHAOLIN)
{*Kuo Chui battles Gordon Liu Chia-Hui}
TOMORROW NEVER DIES
{*Kuo Chui cameos as General Chang in addition to choreographing Michelle Yeoh
in this 007 adventure}
This page first created 1/29/08. Copyright © Steven Feldman,
2008. Last update: 10/29/08.
