Starring Lo Lieh, Ku Feng, Li Ching, Lee Ga-Sai, Ding Sai, Tang Ti, Dean Shek Tin, Lee Pang-Fei, Chu Gam, Tong Tin-Hei, Sek Kin, Chan Shen
Directed by Chang Tseng-Chai
Expectations: Moderate and hopeful.
Due to their grindhouse status in the West, Shaw Brothers films are often looked down upon as B-Movies. I firmly disagree and I try to reflect this opinion in my reviews of the films. But some of their films are definitely B-Movie material, and The Fugitive is a perfect example. While it is a great little action movie, it has a threadbare story and is so over-the-top at times that you could never take it seriously. These things matter in many films, but in a B-Movie these are the cherries on top. And The Fugitive is pretty damn cherry-tastic.
The film opens on a wanted poster depicting the feared outlaws Liao Fei Lung (Lo Lieh) and Ma Tien Piao (Ku Feng). These very same men ride into town and hold up the bank. Things don’t exactly go to plan, but these bandits are not your average bank robbers — they are experts in horseback riding and marksmanship! The bandits easily shoot their way out of town with the spoils of the robbery.
The film’s action is also quite unique. There are some martial arts sprinkled throughout, but most of the thrills come from the barrel of a gun… or a lot of guns, I should say. The gunfights here are incredibly thrilling and fun, with the bandit anti-hero shooting every last enemy with superior skill and accuracy, and every enemy missing the bandit anti-hero like blind men trying to hit a target 1000 yards away. Is it logical that Lo Lieh could survive a gun battle on the ocean rocks when he’s fending off maybe 50 or so policemen by himself? Of course it’s not, but woo-wee it is a good time. Add in a very healthy amount of wonderfully gratuitous Shaw Brothers blood sprays and you have yourself a fantastic little slice of action heaven.
Next up in this chronological jaunt through the Shaw Brothers Martial Arts catalog is Teddy Yip Wing-Cho’s The Black Tavern! Bring it on! See ya then!