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(The Five [Deadly]) Venoms

Collage of pix of the Five Venoms plus Teacher's Last Student. (Click here for a larger image.)

Who's Who from the film The Five Deadly Venoms
#1 Centipede Lu Feng
#2 Snake Wei Pai
#3 Scorpion Sun Chien
#4 Lizard Kuo Chui
#5 Toad Lo Meng
 Teacher's Last Student Hybrid-Venom Chiang Sheng

Between 1978 and 1981, director Chang Cheh made a slew of films with the same five actor/martial artists which have since come to be known collectively as the "Venoms Films." Many long-time American fans refer to this series as "The Good Old Days" because of their fond memories of the films' style and energy and the whimsicality of the character portrayals.

L to R: Kuo Chui, Lo Meng, Chiang Sheng and Lu Feng (in back of Chang Cheh) The five men referred to as Venoms are Sun Chien, Kuo Chui, Lu Feng, Lo Meng, and Chiang Sheng, because the five of them appeared in fourteen films together, their first two being 1977's The Chinatown Kid and Heaven and Hell (aka Shaolin Hellgate). It was not until one year later, however, that a film named The Five Deadly Venoms came along to headline them and make them famous. Curiously, one of the Venoms in this film was played by an actor named Wei Pai, while the central protagonist, Chiang Sheng, played a non-Venom (or a hybrid-Venom, if you will) trained by the Venoms' teacher. Wei Pai, however, was not regularly utilized in the Venoms cycle of films. He actually appeared in only five of them -- Brave Archer, the Sequel (as a swordsman during a flashback sequence), Invincible Shaolin, Ten Tigers of Kuangtung, The Five Deadly Venoms, and The Kid with the Golden Arm -- whereas Chiang Sheng appeared in each and every one.

Of the five Venoms, Kuo Chui, Lu Feng, and Chiang Sheng all had a Peking Opera background (much like Yuen Biao, Jackie Chan, Sammo Hung, Corey Yuen Kwai and Yuen Wah; Lam Ching-ying; Chien Tien-chi; Tu Yu Ming and Tung Chi Wah), and of all the Venom films that featured only three Venoms, all but one (Ode to Gallantry) featured the three Peking Opera-trained Venoms.

In 1975 and 1976, the three opera Venoms had bit parts in four films: Marco Polo (Kuo Chui [billed as Kuo Tsui] with Lu Feng and Chiang Sheng [billed as Chao Kang-Sheng] as Tartar barbarians), New Shaolin Boxers (Lu Feng, and Chiang Sheng as thugs, with Kuo Chui as Fu Sheng's classmate), Shaolin Avengers, and Magnificent Wanderers (Kuo Chui and Lu Feng as Mongolian wrestlers, with Chiang Sheng as a Mongol).

From 1976 to 1977, the three opera Venoms are joined by Lo Meng, and the group progresses to larger parts in Shaolin Temple (first appearance of Lo Meng as a slain monk), The Naval Commandoes (Chiang Sheng, Kuo Chui, and Lu Feng as commandoes, with Lo Meng as a Japanese thug/bouncer), Brave Archer, and Life Gamble (Chiang Sheng is billed as Chao Kang-Sheng).

The 1977 film The Chinatown Kid introduced Sun Chien. This brought the Venoms count up to five, and in short order, a shelved film from 1975 called The Hell was fleshed out with this team (Kuo Chui, Chiang Sheng, Lu Feng, Lo Meng and Sun Chien).

Then came the five films featuring Wei Pai -- Brave Archer, the Sequel, Invincible Shaolin, Ten Tigers of Kuangtung, The Five Deadly Venoms, and The Kid with the Golden Arm -- all of which were filmed in 1978. The rest, as they say, is history.

Films featuring three or more Venoms which precede the quintet of Wei Pai films might be called Proto-Venoms Films since they feature at least three of the five key Venoms (Kuo Chui, Chiang Sheng, Lu Feng, Lo Meng and Sun Chien), but they are not "official" Venoms films since the actors in question were not the headliners. The Chinatown Kid starred Fu Sheng and Sun Chien, not the Venoms.

Some argue that Brave Archer, the Sequel and Ten Tigers of Kuangtung are not really Venoms films because the five key Venoms did not receive top billing in them and did not play the leads, but the footage containing (all six!) Venoms which appears in these films was lensed in 1978, which is acknowledged as being the first year -- the official start, if not the core -- of the Venoms canon.

L to R: Chiang Sheng, Lo Meng, Sun Chien and Lu Feng Incredibly, if you add up all the Chang Cheh-directed movies from 1977 to 1981 in which three or more Venoms appeared, it amounts to twenty-five films, which averages out to five movies per year for five years! I have chosen to not consider a movie with only two Venoms in it to be a "Venoms film." Some people disagree with this decision, but I find that it makes things easier, since very little is known about two-Venoms films made after 1981 such as Fight Among the Supers.

In 1982 -- the year after Chang Cheh's final Venoms film, House of Traps, was released -- Kuo Chui decided to try his hand at directing, and the result is a film called Ruthless Tactics (aka Ninja in the Deadly Trap), which featured all three of the Peking Opera-trained Venoms (Kuo Chui, Lu Feng, and Chiang Sheng), as well as Ti Lung and Yasuaki (aka Shoji) Kurata. This is the only Venoms film to be directed by someone other than Chang Cheh. Lu Feng and Chiang Sheng appeared in one Chang Cheh film in 1981 (Shanghai 13), and in two Chang Cheh films in 1983 (Attack of the God of Joy and The Nine Demons), but two Venoms do not constitute a "A Venoms film" -- at least on this website.

Yu Tai Ping (from the cover of the Super Ninjas Video) There was another actor, by the name of Yu Tai Ping, who appeared in all (!) the Venoms films, but since he almost exclusively played lackies, junior bad guys, and other underlings (his role in Super Ninjas being the major exception), he is even less recognized as a Venom than Wei Pai. What's more, Yu Tai Ping, like Kuo Chui, Lu Feng, and Chiang Sheng, had a Peking Opera background, but one supposes that while most of the regular Venoms were not exactly the most handsome of men, Yu Tai Ping was just plain unattractive. He had a long, pointy nose and his eyes seemed to grow right into it. Still, he managed to be the sole figure on the cover of the 1986 Vista Home Video release of Super Ninjas that was marketed in the USA, so somebody must have liked him quite a bit.

Wei Pai For fans of Wei Pai who would like to see more of him, he starred -- as the good guy! -- in an excellent film directed by John Woo called Last Hurrah for Chivalry. In 1972 and 1973, John Woo was an assistant to Chang Cheh (he assistant-directed Boxer from Shantung, The Water Margin, and The Blood Brothers), and from 1975 to 1978, he directed four kung fu films of his own, the first three of which were Dragon Tamers, The Young Dragons, and Hand of Death (aka Countdown in Kung Fu, aka Strike of Death). The fourth and best was Last Hurrah for Chivalry, known for foreshadowing elements that appear in such "heroic bloodshed" gangster classics as A Better Tomorrow, The Killer, and Hardboiled. The film starts off with tepid martial arts, but by the time it gets to the second half, the choreography (by longtime Sammo Hung associate Fong Hak On, who plays the swordsman in white and is famous for playing the bad guy in both The Magnificent Butcher and Warriors Two) is quite good. Wei Pai plays a highly ingratiating character in this film, on a par with Sun Chien's portrayal in The Chinatown Kid and Kuo Chui and Lo Meng's portrayals in Avenging Warriors of Shaolin. Even for those who aren't particularly fond of Wei Pai, Last Hurrah for Chivalry is well worth your time. It is available subtitled on Asian DVD and VCD.

L to R: Robert Tai, Chiang Sheng, Kuo Chui, Yu Tai Ping, Chang Cheh, unknown, Lu Feng, unknown, Lo Meng, Sun Chien
photo taken on the set of Avenging Warriors of Shaolin

.      .     .     .     .      VENOM ROLL CALL      .     .     .     .     .
 
Sun Chien -- the best kicker; sometimes he's a hero, and sometimes he's not one
Kuo Chui -- usually the main hero; he often pretends to be a beggar or criminal
Lu Feng -- usually plays the insidious traitor who lures the other four to doom
Lo Meng -- a thick-headed but often kind muscleman; he tends not to use weapons
Chiang Sheng -- a comedic, nimble stylist; nicknamed "Cutie-Pie" by his HK fans
 
.     .      .     .     .     THE "VENOMS FILMS"     .     .     .     .     .

(NOTE: entries preceded by a "o" denote alternate film titles
       entries preceded by a "6" denote films with 6 Venoms: all 5 plus Wei Pai
       entries preceded by a "5" denote films with 5 Venoms
       entries preceded by a "4" denote films with 4 Venoms
       entries preceded by a "3" denote films with 3 Venoms)
       numbers followed by a "ø" indicate proto-Venoms (pre-1978) films

o AVENGING HANDICAPPED: see CRIPPLED AVENGERS (1978)
o AVENGING WARRIORS OF SHAOLIN: see SHAOLIN RESCUERS (1979)
o BLAST OF THE IRON PALM: American title for BRAVE ARCHER, PART III (1981)
4øBRAVE ARCHER (7/30/77)-- Fu Sheng, Ku Kuan-chun, Danny Lee, Dick Wei, Ti Lung, 
     Ku Feng, Kuo Chui [aka Philip Kwok], Lo Meng (billed under his real name 
     Luo Kuen Lin), Lu Feng, Chiang Sheng.  The first appearance of Kara Hui 
     Ying-Hung (US: KUNG FU WARLORDS, worldwide: SHAOLIN ARCHERS) [Proto-Venoms]
3 BRAVE ARCHER AND HIS MATE (2/25/82)-- Kuo Chui, Fu Sheng, Chiang Sheng, Lu 
     Feng, Andy Lau [Lau is only according to the IMDb].  Wen Hsueh-Erh's fourth 
     contract film for Chang Cheh.  Lensed in 1980 or 1981.  Lung Tien-Sheng 
     appears as Yang Kang, originally portrayed by Li Yi-Min (Pts. 1 & 2) and Yu 
     Tai-Ping (Pt. 3).  Fu Sheng's final film for Chang Cheh before his untimely 
     death.  (Wordwide: MYSTERIOUS ISLAND; aka BRAVE ARCHER, PART IV) 
o BRAVE ARCHER, PART II: see THE BRAVE ARCHER, THE SEQUEL (1978)
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.  Last Ti Lung film for Chang 
     Cheh whilst at Shaw Studios.  Begun in 1980, shelved, then completed in 
     1981 with the participation of newcomers Cheng Tien-Chi and Chu Ko.  
     (US: BLAST OF THE IRON PALM; aka KUNG FU WARLORDS, PART III)
o BRAVE ARCHER, PART IV: see BRAVE ARCHER AND HIS MATE (1981)
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.  
     First appearance of Wei Pai, as a swordsman during a flashback sequence.  
     (US: KUNG FU WARLORDS, PART II, worldwide: SHAOLIN ARCHERS PART 2; 
     aka BRAVE ARCHER, PART II)
5øTHE CHINATOWN KID (12/2/77)-- Fu Sheng, Kuo Chui, Chiang Sheng, Lu Feng, Lo 
     Meng.  Debut: Sun Chien [therefore, the first Venoms film, in a way].  Wang 
     Li appears uncredited as Tsai Hung's bodyguard/assassin in scenes found in 
     the export (US) version, but not in Chinese versions [a Proto-Venoms Film]
5 CRIPPLED AVENGERS (12/21/78)-- Chen Kuan-tai, Wang Lung-wei, Lo Meng, Lu Feng,
     Kuo Chui, Sun Chien, Chiang Sheng, Dick Wei [aka Tu Lung].  First Venoms 
     film without Wei Pai.  Last Chen Kuan-Tai film for Chang Cheh whilst at 
     Shaw Studios.  (US: MORTAL COMBAT; aka CRIPPLED HEROES, aka AVENGING 
     HANDICAPPED, aka RETURN OF THE FIVE DEADLY VENOMS)
o CRIPPLED HEROES: see CRIPPLED AVENGERS (1978)
5 THE DAREDEVILS (6/29/79)-- Lo Meng, Chiang Sheng, Lu Feng, Kuo Chui, Sun 
     Chien, Wang Li.  Wang Li replaces Wang Lung-Wei as the villain for the 
     remainder of the series.  (US: DAREDEVILS OF KUNG FU; aka SHAOLIN 
     DAREDEVILS, aka VENOM WARRIORS)  
o DAREDEVILS OF KUNG FU: American title for THE DAREDEVILS (1979)
o DEATH CHAMBER: see SHAOLIN TEMPLE (1976)
o DEMON FISTS OF KUNG FU: American title for NEW SHAOLIN BOXERS (1976)
o THE DESTROYERS: American title for MAGNIFICENT RUFFIANS (1979)
o DESTROYERS OF THE FIVE DEADLY VENOMS: see MAGNIFICENT RUFFIANS (1979)
o THE FIVE DEADLY VENOMS: American title for THE FIVE VENOMS (1978)
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.  The second 
     Venoms film (after INVINCIBLE SHAOLIN) lensed without Ti Lung or Fu Sheng.  
     (US: THE FIVE DEADLY VENOMS, worldwide: SHAOLIN DEADLY POISONS)
3 THE FLAG OF IRON (8/14/80)-- Kuo Chiu, Chiang Sheng, Lung Tien Sheng, Lu Feng, 
     Wang Li.  Debut Tien Sheng.  (US: THE SPEARMAN OF DEATH)
o THE FOUR ASSASSINS: see MARCO POLO (1975)
o GRANDMASTER OF DEATH: see NEW SHAOLIN BOXERS (1976)
o GRANDMASTER OF KUNG FU: see NEW SHAOLIN BOXERS (1976)
o THE GUERRILLAS: worldwide title for REBEL INTRUDERS (1980)
5øHEAVEN AND HELL (1/19/80)-- David Chiang, Maggie Li Lin-lin, Kuo Chui, Lo 
     Meng, Sun Chien, Tang Yen-tsan, Fu Sheng, Chiang Sheng, Lu Feng.  The first 
     appearance of Li Yi-Min.  Began in 1975 under the name THE HELL 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 in 1977 to incorporate cast of THE CHINATOWN KID in 
     flashbacks to their characters' mortal lives.  The Venoms complete the 
     third act, working around footage with Li Yi-Min.  Finally sees release in 
     January 1980.  (aka SHAOLIN HELLGATE)  cf THE HELL  [a Proto-Venoms Film]
x THE HELL (1975) begun in 1975, later reworked in 1977, then released as HEAVEN 
     AND HELL 1/19/80.  cf HEAVEN AND HELL
o THE HERO DEFEATING JAPS: Korean title for RUTHLESS TACTICS (1982)
4 HOUSE OF TRAPS (1/9/82)-- Lu Feng, Wang Li, Sun Chien, Kuo Chui, Hsiao Ho,
     Chiang Sheng, Lung Tien Sheng, Chu Ko
o INVINCIBLE KUNG FU BROTHERS: see SHAOLIN AVENGERS (1976)
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.  First Venoms film lensed without Ti Lung or Fu Sheng.  Last Kara 
     Hui Ying-Hung.  (US: UNBEATABLE DRAGON, worldwide: SHAOLIN BLOODSHED; 
     aka NORTH SHAOLIN VS. SOUTH SHAOLIN) 
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.  Lensed 
     in 1978.  Final appearance of Wei Pai, who leaves to make LAST HURRAH FOR
     CHIVALRY for director Wu Yu-Sen (John Woo) at rival studio Golden Harvest.
o KILLER ARMY: American title for REBEL INTRUDERS (1980)
o KUNG FU WARLORDS: American title for THE BRAVE ARCHER (1977)
o KUNG FU WARLORDS, PART II: Amer. title for THE BRAVE ARCHER, PART II (1978)
o KUNG FU WARLORDS, PART III: Amer. title for THE BRAVE ARCHER, PART III (1981)
o KUNG FU WARLORDS, PART IV: Amer. title for BRAVE ARCHER AND HIS MATE (1981)
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.
4øLIFE 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)  Intro: Lo Mang (under his stage name for the first time). 
     Lensed in 1977.  (aka LIFE COMBAT)  [a Proto-Venoms Film]
o LIFE COMBAT: see LIFE GAMBLE (1978)
o MAGNIFICENT KUNG FU WARRIORS: Amer. title for MAGNIFICENT WANDERERS (1977)
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)
3øMAGNIFICENT WANDERERS (5/27/77) Guest-starring Kuo Chui and Lu Feng as 
     Mongolian wrestlers, with Chiang Sheng as a Mongol.  Lensed in 1976.
     (U.S. Title: MAGNIFICENT KUNG-FU WARRIORS)  [a Proto-Venoms Film]
3øMARCO POLO (12/12/75)-- Fu Sheng, Chi Kuan-chung, Liu Chia-hui, Wang Lung-wei,
     Liang Cha-jen, Shih Szu, Carter Wong.  Lu Feng and Chao Kang-Sheng (aka 
     Chiang Sheng) appear unbilled as Tartar barbarians, then as finale guest
     stars with Kuo Chui.  Intro: Kuo Chui (aka THE FOUR ASSASSINS)  [Proto-Ven]
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.
o MORTAL COMBAT: American title for CRIPPLED AVENGERS (1978)
o MYSTERIOUS ISLAND: worldwide title for BRAVE ARCHER AND HIS MATE (1982)
4øTHE 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.  The first
     appearances of Yu Tai-Ping and Yang Hsuing (aka "Brass Head").  [Proto-Ven]
3øNEW SHAOLIN BOXERS (9/03/76)-- Fu Sheng, "Jenny," Wang Lung Wei, Leung Kar 
     Yan.  Lu Feng, Chiang Sheng and Wang Li appear as thugs, and Kuo Chui 
     appears as Fu Sheng's classmate (US: DEMON FISTS OF KUNG-FU; 
     aka GRANDMASTER OF DEATH aka GRANDMASTER OF KUNG FU)  [a Proto-Venoms Film]
o NINJA IN THE DEADLY TRAP: American title for RUTHLESS TACTICS (1982)
o NINJA KUNG FU: see RUTHLESS TACTICS (1982)
o NINJITSU: worldwide title for RUTHLESS TACTICS (1982)
o NORTH SHAOLIN VS. SOUTH SHAOLIN: see INVINCIBLE SHAOLIN (1978)
3 ODE TO GALLANTRY (12/16/82)-- Kuo Chui in 2 roles, Sun Chien, Wang Li, Chiang 
     Sheng, Chu Ko and Cheng Tien-chi.  Wen Hsueh-Erh's second contract film 
     for Chang Cheh.  Lensed in 1980, shelved, then completed in 1982 with the 
     participation of newcomers Cheng Tien-Chi and Chu Ko.
5 REBEL INTRUDERS (9/11/80)-- Kuo Chui, Lo Meng, Chiang Sheng, Sun Chien, Lu 
     Feng, Wang Li.  First appearance of Chien Hsiao-Hao.  Linda Chu's first 
     contract film for Chang Cheh.  Last Yang Hsiung ("Brass Head") film for 
     Chang Cheh.  (US: KILLER ARMY, worldwide: THE GUERILLAS) 
o REBEL INTRUDERS: see KILLER ARMY (1980)
o RETURN OF THE 5 DEADLY VENOMS: 1998 retitling of CRIPPLED AVENGERS (1978)
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)
o SHAOLIN AGAINST WU-TANG: worldwide title for TWO CHAMPIONS OF SHAOLIN (1980)
o SHAOLIN ARCHERS: worldwide title for BRAVE ARCHER (1977)
o SHAOLIN ARCHERS PART 2: see BRAVE ARCHER, PART II (1978)
3øSHAOLIN AVENGERS (6/18/76) [Dir w/ Wu Ma]-- Fu Sheng, Chi Kuan-chun, Tang 
     Yen-tsan, Lu Feng, Chiang Sheng, Kuo Chui (aka THE INVINCIBLE KUNG-FU 
     BROTHERS)  [a Proto-Venoms Film]
o SHAOLIN BLOODSHED: worldwide title for INVINCIBLE SHAOLIN (1978)
o SHAOLIN DAREDEVILS: see THE DAREDEVILS (1979)
o SHAOLIN DEADLY POISONS: worldwide title for THE FIVE VENOMS (1978)
o SHAOLIN HELLGATE: see HEAVEN AND HELL (1977, released in HK in 1980)
5 SHAOLIN RESCUERS (3/24/79)-- Lo Meng, Kuo Chui, Lu Feng, Jason Pai 
     Piao, Sun Chien, Chiang Sheng, Ku Kuan-chung.  Wang Li's first 
     co-starring role; he receives introduction billing in credits. 
     (aka AVENGING WARRIORS OF SHAOLIN)
4øSHAOLIN 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)  [a Proto-Venoms Film]
o THE SPEARMAN OF DEATH: American title for THE FLAG OF IRON (1980)
3 SWORD STAINED WITH ROYAL BLOOD (3/6/81)-- Kuo Chui, Lu Feng, Chiang Sheng, 
     Ching Li, Shan Shen, Lung Tien Sheng, Wang Li.   First appearance of Chao 
     Kuo and Chu Ko.  Wen Hsueh-Erh's third contract film for Chang Cheh.
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, then shelved.  Framing sequences completed with the participation 
     of Chien Hsiao-Hao and Lung Tien-Sheng, then released December 1980.
o TWO CHAMPIONS OF DEATH: American title for TWO CHAMPIONS OF SHAOLIN (1980)
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.
     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 ELEMENT 
     NINJAS in 1982.  Sun Chien's exclusive contract with Chang also expires and 
     he 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.  
     (US: TWO CHAMPIONS OF DEATH, worldwide: SHAOLIN AGAINST WU-TANG)
o THE UNBEATABLE DRAGON: American title for INVINCIBLE SHAOLIN (1978)
o VENOM WARRIORS: see THE DAREDEVILS (1979)
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Mini-bios
from "Kings of Kung Fu," by J.J. Brennan and Toby Russell

From page 121 of The Essential Guide to the Best of Eastern Heroes
(originally printed on page 18 of Eastern Heroes, Vol. 2, No. 4):

YU TAI PING [the unsung sixth Venom]

Taiwan-opera trained, he was actually from a hardcore traditional background before entering the movie business. Yu Tai Ping, along with fellow classmates Kwok Choy, Lu Feng and Chiang Sheng toured the world with their retrospective opera troupe. Although never a big star, he is undoubtedly one of the best supporting actors to have sprung from the stables of Shaw Brothers. Usually playing chief lackey, he is noted as being the only man to be featured in all the Chang Cheh Venom films (Flag of Iron, aka Spear Man, Master Avengers [sic]). Not totally away from the scene like some, Yu Tai Ping is now working in television.

KWOK CHOY [aka Kuo Chui aka Philip Kwok]

From opera player to medicine hawker to tool maker (where he actually lost a couple of his fingers) here stands one of the most versatile actors you will ever see. From bit parts and some good supporting, Kwok Choy became a major player for director Chang Cheh, achieving stardom with the classic Five Deadly Venoms in 1979. Nearly all the films that followed featured him as the central character from the Venom crew. He is also respected for his uncanny skills with weaponry. There really are many great films one could mention: Kid with the Golden Arm, Flag of Iron aka Spearman, Master Avengers [sic], and Legend of the Fox are a select few that really stand out. Currently one of the biggest paid action directors in South East Asia, Kwok Choy is not short of work. He recently completed work on Touch of Zen Part 2, and also worked on John Woo's terrific Hard Boiled, in which he plays the righteous villain Mad Dog.



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