(1978)

Reviewed By-Paul Cooke
Director : Chang Cheh
Scripted : Cheh Chang & Kuang Ni
Starring : Li Ngai-Man , Maggie Li , Lin Chen-Chi , Jenny Tsang , Alexander Fu Sheng & David Chiang
 

Step on in to the magical , mystical realm that is part ‘Monkey’ with a helping of an
Elvis Presley Las Vegas stage show , along with a whole lotta Fun care of those
magicians of Fu mayhem The Five Venoms. This is a colourful ballet of kick ass
choreography initially set to the theme of ‘West Side Story’ meets the Elvis ‘68
Comeback Special , and Thank You Very Much the Shaw Brothers for not letting
their big stars leave the building. Dante’s Inferno is the set dressing for one Hell
of an enjoyable movie , so do not abandon hope all ye who enter this crazy Fu hybrid
as there is mucho manic pleasure to be had.

After embarrassing the Heavenly Host at a celestial ceremony David Chiang’s
cameo role character fights alongside his on screen lover , together striking for
freedom to the mortal world below. They are helped by their loyal friend and
Heavenly palace guard Xin Ling , who for such insubordination is himself cast out
into the mortal world. It is his journey through the realms of Heaven , Earth and Hell
that this parable of mans greed and lustful obsessions may be redeemed , if the
heart is truly righteous.

Xin Ling’s Earthly exile has him making a living as a taxi driver but it is not long
before he leaps to the rescue of Alexander Fu Sheng , also appearing in a welcome
cameo role , and his girlfriend beset by local thugs. In saving the lovers Xin Ling
kills the main attacker and in so doing is sent plummeting down into the fiery pits of
Hell. Done in a stylish episodic fashion as the starring credits role with each new
sequence of events as the movie plays out.

Thrown in amongst the corrupt caverns of human Hell the fallen Heavenly Host soon
helps a wayward female soul , amidst the lavishly lit green and red hues vibrantly
brushed upon a celluloid canvas reminiscent of that used by Director Mario Bava.
The King of Hell lords it over the miscreants of humanity , forcing them to relive
their Earthly vices with an insanely bizarre expanse. Large guillotines slice off
fingers and spikes impale the misfortunate like barbecue Sunday for the demonic
gathering. The gushes of blood are replaced with a watery multitude of colours as
the souls in Hell have no human blood within them.

These scenes amongst such fantastical sets are a true spectacle to behold , and the
sight of bodies hanging from the ceiling that rapidly descend to a floor of upwardly
set lethal swords is incredible. The visual outlandishness , displaying scenes of
torturous peeling of skin and the ripping out of tongues , is done with nightmarish
reminiscence of a wickedly warped version of ‘The Wizard Of Oz’. This sure isn’t
Kansas but Dorothy may very well be a resident witch , forever cast to click her
hellish red shoes to the tune of Toto snapping at her heels.
Enter the Buddha of mercy on a day release visit to Hell to bestow upon Xin Ling
the task of seeking out the pure souls residing within this realm of purgatory.

Those who’s veins still channel the red blood of life. Prepare for an even more
impressive second half to this wonderfully outlandish Shaw Brothers movie as the
virtuous band of men Xin Ling uncovers are none other than the Incredible Five
Venoms. Reunited here in with showpiece flashbacks as retold individually by the
majesty of the merciful Buddha. He may just be the first blueprint for a record ,
rewind and replay DVD player way before his time. The Buddha grants The Five
Venoms along with Xin Ling and the wayward female he befriends , the fair
opportunity to fight their way out of Hell to be rewarded with reincarnation.
Hell hath no fury like the Venom within these fighting souls as business soon picks
up several notches and the barometer in Hades goes inferno. These Fu fighters take
on the hellish guards in a fight frenzy that is a joy to behold , that includes some nifty
sword fighting along with the perfunctory body bashing. A sword fight atop a bed of
razor sharp sword blades is cutting it fine even for The Five Venoms , but these guys
know how to combine their skills in the tightest of corners.

The second phase of ‘Heaven And Hell’ truly runs away at an incredibly enjoyable
pace , without question due to the amazing talents of these five fighting furies as
they battle to escape the pits of Hell. No real surprise then that such magnificence is
brought to the screen by the legendary Director Chang Cheh , who here once again
consummately delivers yet another ‘Must See’ cinematic showpiece.

Presentation : Wide Screen Ratio 2:35:1
Release : Celestial Pictures
Coding : NTSC Region 3
Sound : Mono
Extras : English Language Subtitles / Trailers / Movie Info / Biography /
Selected Filmography / Movies Stills / 16:9 Enhanced

Film: 3.5 BITCH SLAPS
Picture: 4.0 BITCH SLAPS
Sound: 3.5 BITCH SLAPS
Extras: 2.5 BITCH SLAPS
Overall: 3.5 BITCH SLAPS

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