english title | Eight Diagram Pole Fighter |
original title | 五郎八卦棍 |
aka | Invicible Pole Fighter / Les 8 diagrammes de Wu Tang |
french title | Les 8 diagrammes de Wu-Lang |
year | 1983 |
country | Hong-Kong |
genres | kung-fu period |
duration | 1h40 |
production studio | Shaw Brothers 邵氏 |
distributor | Shaw Brothers 邵氏 |
What started as the masterful kung-fu filmmaker's homage to the heroic Sung Dynasty Yang family becomes a furious rumination on heroic sacrifice when international idol Alexander Fu Sheng died in a car accident midway through production. Wanting to immortalize Sheng's final, unfinished performance, Liu carried on. The result is unique in the director's extraordinary filmography in its emotional intensity and kung-fu power. There are heartbreaking references to the tragedy throughout, but the stunning climax is truly unforgettable. It must be seen to be believed...