Reviewed By-Paul Cooke

There’s nothing quite like an old fashioned secret sect to garner the interests to all those seeking to join up and train in the ancient arts , pushing themselves beyond normal human boundaries. Back in the day of old school China the grand daddy butt kicking programme to sign up for had to have been the one to master the Poison Clan Technique. There is no Uncle Sam figure posted on the bamboo and wood shop fronts stating we want you here though , as entrance is chosen and membership is venomous. The Five Deadly Venoms are uniquely honed in their individual abilities and tempered in the ways of the poisonous creatures they each represent. Their identities are secret and kept so even from each other as they are trained separately , and all wear face masks as they train in a dank dungeon of rigorous regime. Beds of nails provide painless resting places , wall walking is the step class of the time and body bending solid metal proves no pain and all gain. Amidst a colourful cauldron of vibrant textured hues , that would not be out of place in a Mario Bava film , the Five Deadly Venoms roll call reads - Centipede , Snake , Scorpion , Lizard and the Toad. Known only to each other as numbers one to five. With the highly developed Venoms reintroduced into society in normal guise their master and teacher fears that some will use the disciplines for ill gotten gain. Aware that their masters equal and fellow teacher has also left the sect with all the acquired riches of wealth , teacher suspects the worst and so sends his last pupil to seek them out. Skilled in all the ways but master of none his individual talent is in linking with one of the venoms , and together creating an enhanced dual ability able to defeat any of the others.

The unravelling story cleverly unveils the Venoms literally by the numbers and soon the affluent teacher is discovered and killed during a hands on interactive display of deadly techniques. Innocent towns people are bloodily struck down and murdered to cover the vicious act. What the killers seek is discovered by another of the lethal poison clan in the form of a hidden map that holds the secret of the teachers opulent reserve. When the Poison Clan masters final student , as played by Sheng Chiang , enters the much used Hong Kong back lot town that is reminiscent of a Spaghetti Western setting the corruption is as insidious as a troublesome tick put on a diet of rice wine. Pretty soon our intrepid hero in the making becomes aware of the presence of all of the five original deadly venoms. Renowned Director of the piece , Cheh Chang , wryly reinvents the identification process for the villains as here bad guys wear beards !. Subliminally there is a whole sub plot of chinned foliage that cleverly distracts the audience with a murder agenda unravelling as a clever whodunit. The neat and tidily kept beard is a benign sign but the clean shaven look is better , yet those optional sideburns are a clear indication of ambivalence. A modern interpretation of this classic would surely feature Pierce Brosnan in the role of the last student as a blade wielding Remington Steele.

Corruption is evident amongst the legislative officials and officers , and with word of the riches to be discovered emergent the evil alignment amongst the venoms takes place. The mighty Toad steps forth to reveal himself as a vanguard of unscrupulous morals and still a force to be reckoned with. His incredible fighting skills and body of near impenetrable sinew is showcased to the fullest in a very exciting exchange of fighting techniques , as he steps forward to help the subjugated townspeople. His altruistic actions fall foul of the unjust legislation system and Toad finds himself implicated in the murder and as such is mercilessly tortured. The ensuing scenes of an ornate yet lethal golden iron maiden closing upon his impervious frame is a mere prick to his conscious state. The application of a furnace flamed steel jacket sets him on the Toad to perdition and fuels the pernicious poison clan number to go on a violent murder spree. In numerous manner of unpleasantness loose tongues are silenced , as hooked implements are graphically inserted through mouth and nasal passage delivering cerebral lobotomies to those who witnessed the true killers of the teacher. The classic themes of heroism up against overwhelming evil odds , all blessed with the attributes of super fighting skills whether bearded or not are all on show to be marvelled at. Tantalisingly interwoven with a darkly foreboding exterior , ‘Five Deadly Venoms’ , indeed packs one very powerful dose of intoxicating martial artistry that any fan of the genre will revel deliriously in. Superbly put together with a cumulative tale that unravels sensationally right to the rapturous action packed finale. Sheng Chiang gets to show what he is truly capable of as he explosively aligns himself with an untainted heroic clan member. Together they look to get the one , two , three count on toxic team venom in a body pounding bloody climax , where all true identities are revealed for the movies final Sting.

Format : DVD

Release : Saturn Productions

Coding : All Region NTSC

Sound : Mono

Extras : Widescreen / Letterboxed Aprox 2:20:1

Back