The Eight Diagram Pole Fighter is a stone-cold classic of the Shaw Brothers studios. It was directed in 1984 by master director Lau Kar-Leung (the 36th Chamber of Shaolin). It was made under a tragic circumstance, in that original leading man (who footage was shot with) Alexander Fu Sheng died in a car accident. The entire film had to be re-worked due to his untimely and tragic death putting Gordon Liu (from 36th Chamber…) into a narrative lead position which was originally created for Fu Sheng.
The film is based on the Yang Dynasty, and opens with the massacre of a Father, and all but 2 of his many sons. The 2 who survived go their separate ways with one (Alexander Fu Sheng) going insane from grief and heading home to his Mother. The other played by Gordon Liu joins a monastery, and learns the teachings which will allow him revenge.
8th Diagram after the initial sequence has a near perfect blend of action sequences perfectly directed by Lau Kar Leung, made possible off the back of his many years working as a stunt coordinator. Even the slower bits offer lots of drama, tension, of thematic coherence to the film’s Buddhist teachings. The film’s finale, however, might be one of Shaw Brother Studios finest moments EVER as far as action is concerned.
Arrow Video presents the Eight Diagram Pole Fighter in a splendid 1080p AVC encoded transfer. Colors here truly pop, detail is excellent (though soft at points). Audio is handled by mono tracks in English and Mandarin, and both handle the job well. Extras include a commentary track, an interview with Tony Rayns, plus multiple interviews with the cast/crew. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!