Let's be realistic.

Clever and entertaining enough to recommend even to members of the 1%

The best films of this genre always show a path and provide a takeaway for being a better person.

It's a movie as timely as it is provocative and amazingly, for much of its running time, it is weirdly funny.

Funny how most of the DVD covers for "Hand of Death" has Jackie Chan all over it, despite him only having a supporting role in the movie. But his face sells.Regardless, then "Hand of Death" is one of the more interesting movies to Jackie Chan's impressive movie list, prior to making it on an international scale.The story in "Hand of Death" is fairly simple, yet straight to the point. It is a story of revenge and for the downtrodden to stand up against their oppressors. The story doesn't really leave much to the imagination and requires absolutely nothing from your intellect. This is straight from point A to point B; and beating up everyone in between these two points.The fight sequences were good, although some of them were painfully choreographed, where you saw the opponents, just waiting for the kick or punch to be thrown. And, of course, the sound effects here are hilarious - as they tended to be in many of these old action movies.Tao-liang Tan was doing quite a good job in this movie, and it wasn't Jackie Chan who was in focus in this movie. As much as Sammo Hung Kam-Bo used to make great movies back in the day, then the buck-teeth he had to wear in this movie was just a bit too over the top. It was also good to see Wah Yuen in the movie, despite a very small and brief appearance only, not to forget about Biao Yuen as well."Hand of Death" is well worthy of a place in the movie collection of anyone who is fan of martial arts movies (or Jackie Chan's movies). This is simple, yet entertaining entertainment.

Well this movie has a few firsts and a few unique qualities about it, but as far as that, it has little else. It is Jackie Chan's first movie (at least according to Microsoft's Cinemania, and I will leave it up to you to whether it is to be considered a legitimate source) and it is the only movie in which Jackie Chan has worked with John Woo. It is John Woo's third movie, and as such we cannot expect that much out of it. In fact, compared to his later masterpieces, this is a fingerpainting. It is also the only movie where Jackie Chan has been killed on screen.Basically an evil emperor is banning all Shou-lung warriors and one particular warrior has betrayed the order and has joined the emperor. The monks are being slaughtered but one escapes and vows vengeance. He tries to sneak into the order but he is found out and swiftly beaten, but he manages to escape, builds up his force, and then returns to kick butt.The plot is basic and has no interesting character developments and interactions as the later Woo movies, though one of the characters refuses to fight because he accidentally killed his mistress. This struggle is not developed though as he is found, talked to, and convinced to take up arms again.The cinematography is really bad, and I can see why they say that you not use the zoom in professional film-making, namely because it looks very bad. This movie does not have any of Woo's dazzling camera effects that become obvious in later movies, nor does it focus on minor things that bring out the characters more, but it does show a side that we rarely see, and that is that a great filmmaker must come from somewhere.Though it is not the best, it is a start for somebody who goes on to become a famous, and much admired film-maker. It goes to show that just because you begin by making bad movies, that you will not go anywhere.

This movie is amazing. You will NEVER laugh harder. It's a target. No, I think it's...yes it's...A BOOB! This movie gets funnier by the second--like when Jackie Chan's character finally dies in his final fight scene. This movie is velly velly seekwet like treasha! Congrats if you buy or rent this. You'll never return it, in my opinion. I didn't, and I haven't found it in a store since. I watched this movie once and I was forever in love with Kung-Fu action flicks. If you're looking for an amazing film in the realm of great production value, good or even mediocre acting, and good special effects...this is NOT that movie. If you're looking for laughs and timeless wonderment, pick this up for a dollar and you'll probably never let it go. With friends, popcorn and drinks, it's the perfect evening.

Made during the martial arts period of his career, John Woo came up with one of his best films from this early Woo era. The story is about the Shaolin Temple who sents a young warrior who murder a traitor who has killed many of his compatriots. Shao Lin Men/Hand of Death(1975) features one of the early and most impressible performances from future Hong Kong action hero, Jackie Chan. Sammo Hung also appears as one of the main villains. The main actor Tao-Liang Tan has faded out of the Hong Kong film scene after appearing in this movie while Chan and Hung would go on to become big stars. Bruce Lee co star, James Tien makes a memorable turn as the main villain. The last twenty minutes is the film's golden moments. The fight scene in the beach would be repeated by John Woo in both Heroes Shed No Tears(1985) and Mission:Impossible 2(2000). Uses many themes that would become popular in the director's heroic bloodshed pictures. The story of Shao Lin Men(1975) interestingly enough is reused in Mission:Impossible 2(2000).