Lo Lieh’s 10 Best Kung Fu Movies, Ranked

The Indonesian-born Hong Kong martial artist and film actor No lie is one of the most significant figures in martial arts cinema. Lo Lieh, famous for his versatility and personality, starred in many films Who showed his skills and captivated on the screen. His films exemplify some of the most amazing kung fu movie techniques of the era. These films not only highlight his ability to portray a wide range of characters, but also demonstrate the dynamic storytelling and intense choreography that defined the genre.

Among his extensive filmography, several movies stand out as quintessential examples of his work. From fierce battles and intricate martial arts movements to memorable villains, These films represent the peak of his career and show the fighting styles practiced during the golden age of kung fu cinema.

10

Fist of the White Lotus (1980)

An iconic clash of martial arts legends

Fist of the White LotusDirected by and starring No lieStands out as one of the best works in his repertoire. It featured him in his iconic role as an evil priest, White LotusA character who was both sad and strangely funny. Stepping from the director’s chair this time, Leah brought the audience in with a more character-development-centered story, which was not that popular in the genre at the time.

His appearance as White Lotus in this film was what finally popularized the white-haired villain archetype in kung fu films. While the pacing of Fist of the White Lotus was slower than some other kung fu films, The final action scenes are extremely memorable. The movie’s training sequences and the strange abilities of the White Lotus Chief, such as his “acupuncture-fu”, his “hundred-step palm” and his defensive techniques, set it apart from typical martial arts films.

9

Crazy Monkey Kung Fu (1979)

A display of monkey style combat

Directed by and starring Lau Kar-Leung and Lau Leah, Crazy Monkey Kung Fu Is considered one of the best kung fu movies for its physical comedy. Leah provided plenty of flashy moves as evil gangster and pimp, Tuan. While the movie follows a revenge story against his character, audiences are still drawn to Tuan because of his snarky lines and incredible technique. This, in turn, sets the stage for various action-packed scenes.

what made Crazy Monkey Kung Fu So unforgettable are the action scenes and the acting of the cast. Lieh’s Tuan was a whirlwind of comedy and acrobatics, effortlessly matched by the rest of the talented cast. Lo Lieh’s performance as Tuan was so convincingly understated that it made him a villain that the audience loved to hate. While the movie had a lot of strong points, it was ultimately Tuan who stole the show.

8

Slice of Death (1979)

A story of betrayal and revenge

Released in 1979, Slice of death Is considered one of Lo Lieh’s best kung fu movies. Set during China’s Qing Dynasty, The film follows the rebellion guided by Monk Chi San and Priest Pai Mei, played by LiehTrying to stop him. Scenes like Pai Mei betraying his family, and his attempt to eliminate Wu Mei showed how His dedication to the role was evident in his acting and physical presence.

Lo Lieh’s portrayal of Pai Mei added to the dramatic tension of the film, viz His character’s betrayal sets the stage for the epic final showdown. The movie was noted for its artistic production design and martial arts. Directed by Meng-Hua Ho, Slice of death Set the stage for more iconic movies like Fists of the White Lotuswho repeated himself and continued the story. Lieh’s emotional performance, combined with the film’s action-filled plot, cemented its status as a must-see for kung fu enthusiasts..

7

Heroes of the East (1978)

A cross-cultural kung fu showdown

Heroes of the East Follows the story of a Chinese man who marries a Japanese woman, arguing about which martial art style is superior – Chinese or Japanese. In the movie, each duel featured different Japanese martial artists with various styles and weapons. While Fans may argue that Lieh’s area of ​​expertise is in Southern Chinese styles, his role as Takano showcased his expertise in Ninjutsu too.

While kung fu cinema mostly featured Chinese martial art styles, Lieh did an excellent job of introducing the public to a variety of techniques, such as Hensojutsu, Shinobi-iri and the use of the now popular Ninja Star Darts.. The movie’s blend of humor, culture clash, and different martial arts styles made it a joy to watch. Despite his age, Heroes of the East Remains a classic that should not be missedEspecially in the re-released version with remastered video and sound quality.

6

The Web of Death (1976)

Deadly game of search

A classic example of old-school kung fu cinema is The web of deathWhich delivers everything fans love about the genre without relying on modern CGI effects. The story centers around Lo Lieh, as the Snake Chief, looking to retrieve the 5th Venom SpiderA poisonous creature that was used in the past to kill innocent people. He insists on using it to win a tournament. Through many scenes, one can see how the characters were really closed by Lee’s.

The twists and turns that the movie has, mixed with the Snake Chief’s epic blocks, dodges and strikes, make viewers glued to all the scenes. The movie is highly regarded for its top notch kung fu choreography, story and excellent acting.

5

Hammer of God (1970)

Fighting a reign of terror

in the hammer of god, Lieh plays the role of Kitashima, a Japanese karate master who shows his ability to learn and adapt quickly to a different martial art technique. Leah once again acted as a villain, but unlike other movies, he approached his role with greater depth. His character was not to be messed around with, as he would countlessly eliminate every opponent quickly throughout the film.

Lo Lieh threw himself into the role with more choices than ever, and this can be seen in the opening scene, when Kitashima and his rival Wang Yu fight in a gambling cave, only to continue his battle in a snowy landscape, using a mix of knives, swords and his fists. Although some may argue that by watching the dubbed version it loses some of its original charm, Kitashima’s line is still great. The fast-paced battles showcased Lo Lieh’s experience in keeping excitement on screenMaking it a favorite among fans of the genre.

4

Black Magic (1975)

Go on a Magic Quest

Black Magic stood out because of the action and intrigue that Leah provided. The plot of the film unfolds in various settings, from the city to a dark forest. of all his films, Black Magic was the one that pushed him the most out of his comfort zone, viz It was mostly a fantasy-horror film With some kung fu elements sprinkled in. However, the new setup has opened up its possibilities to a series of exciting fights, each with different fighting styles and weapons.

Lieh plays Liang Chia Chieh, who we see doing things the audience just isn’t used to, like using a love spell on her former lover. A more familiar Leah really shines in the various scenesMostly the ones involving action. Despite venturing into the horror genre with Black Magic, Lieh’s delivery is extremely memorable, showing his versatility as an actor.

3

Executioners of Shaolin (1977)

Tiger and Crane Styles in Part of Revenge

The film Executioner of Shaolin is a production that shuns comedy to focus on a darker, more intense story that drives the hero’s quest for revenge. La Lie, Pai Mai, Delivered menacing moments that absorbed the audience’s attention with his almost invincible presence and original fighting style. His battles, including his notorious use of the groin technique, were as entertaining as they were funny, showing off his skill in a way that was both intimidating and fascinating.

The film also featured impressive performances from other cast members, such as Tai Chen Kuan, who demonstrated the mighty tiger claw style, and Li Li, who excelled in the crane style. Overall, Lieh has a great amount of synergy with the rest of the cast, providing viewers with a hypnotic quality to the action scenes, combining kung fu with a dance-like elegance. Directed by Lau Kar-Leung, known for his choreography, Lo-Lie’s performance reached new heights of intensity.

2

The 36th Chamber of Shaolin (1978)

The journey from revenge to enlightenment

The 36th Chamber of Shaolin Differentiate yourself by focusing on the discipline and spiritual aspects of kung fu rather than just showcasing flashy action scenes. As General Tien Tae, Lo Lieh was able to deliver a pure performance that once again reinforced his status as a leading figure in Hong Kong cinema. Under Lau Kar-Leung’s direction, Leah was helped to convey the menace of his character through his body language.

The movie was heightened by its dedication to realistic kung fu. Lieh as the main antagonist delivered an outstanding performance with his impressive combat skills and strong acting. Scenes where Lo Lieh, as the murderer, inflicts cruel torture on a victim using only a bamboo stick stuck with viewers long after the movie was over.

1

Five Fingers of Death (1972)

A pioneering classic of revenge and martial arts

Five fingers of death stood as a groundbreaking kung fu film, earning a place among No lies best work. It introduced martial arts cinema to Western audiences, Capturing the excitement and drama of the genre. Its impact was so significant that famous director Quentin Tarantino even named it one of his favorite movies, drawing inspiration from it for his own work.

The excitement that La Lia brought to the table Five fingers of death was clear from the first duel, where both his martial arts skills and his character’s arrogance were on display. Other scenes, like the poisoned needle scene, stood out by showing how much precision and feeling each of his attacks had. Leah is acting in Five fingers of death Definitely set a high standard for the films that followed.