Snake In The Eagle`s Shadow

(Under Construction)

Snake In The Eagle's Shadow (1977)
Jackie Chan, Huang Cheng Li, Simon Yuen,

Perhaps the main turning point in Jackie`s career. The producers originally planned to get a BIG star like Alexander Fu Sheng to star in this, then settled on Cliff Lok (later seen fighting the mighty Phillip Ko in "Shadow Of The Tiger" and trounching all opposition in one of the seventies 'tournament' movies, "Champion Of Champions"). However, Cliff couldn`t make it, so Jacky was suggested. His 'owner', Lo Wei, accepted an undisclosed consideration and waived his contract with his 'Godson' Jacky. The unequalled kung-fu skills of the young Jacky were counterpointed by the incredible 'Tae Kwondo' and 'Eagle' skills of Huang Cheng Li. This contrast of styles proved to one of the films main selling point. The young (Chinese) Jacky vs the mighty (foreign) power of Korean Huang. Much the same as the China vs Japan theme in Bruce`s "Fist Of Fury".

Much is made of the talk that relations on-set between Jacky and Huang were not amicable. Huang 'accidentally' kicked Jacky`s cap off his tooth! Perhaps, Wong just wanted to check Jacky`s famous reactions, or maybe the 6th Dan (or was it 5th back then?) just mis-aimed(!) Respect must been gained because they were teamed up for a 're-match' in "Drunken Monkey In A Tiger`s Eye" (Drunken Master).

Even though they had the best kung-fu filmstars onboard, director Corey Yuen wanted to heighten the action scenes even more. He was against the use of trick photography and wire-work and so chose to double both Jacky and Huang in some of the 'acrobatic' sequences. The young Yuen brothers stepped in for the high speed gymnastic flips, the famous 'headstand' somersault for instance. This was NOT because the stars could not do the flips, but because the Yuens were better gymnasts and were able to flip 'faster'.

TO BE CONTINUED.......

Asian Action Movies

Jacky!

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