This 1980 Martial Arts Film Is The “Avengers” Of Old-School Kung Fu Movies

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Released in 1980 by the legendary Shaw Brothers studio, Ten Tigers of Kwangtung is a classic kung fu film that, in terms of its ambitious scope and ensemble cast, is often compared to the modern blockbuster The Avengers. Despite its impressive production, it’s surprisingly not as widely known today.

In the 1970s and 80s, studios like Shaw Brothers produced a huge number of kung fu films, and many of these became classics of the martial arts genre. Some notable examples include The 36th Chamber of Shaolin, Eight Diagram Pole Fighter, and The Five Deadly Venoms.

Those films became popular largely thanks to the talented group of actors at Shaw Brothers. Many of their stars appeared in dozens of movies, building impressive careers. However, with Ten Tigers of Kwangtung, Shaw Brothers went a step further, assembling a truly all-star lineup for this one film.

Ten Tigers Of Kwangtung Had An Incredible Cast Of Martial Arts Stars

The cast of Ten Tigers of Kwantung is one of the most impressive in martial arts cinema. Leading the film was Ti Lung, a popular actor who starred in many successful martial arts movies for the studio, such as Avenging Eagle and Opium and the Kung Fu Master.

Just below him in the movie credits was Alexander Fu Sheng, a rising star at the time. Although his career was tragically cut short, Fu Sheng made significant contributions to several now-classic martial arts films, including Shaolin Temple and Five Shaolin Masters. He was known for his comedic timing and often considered the studio’s equivalent of Jackie Chan.

Wang Lung Wei and Ku Feng were also present. Ku Feng was a famous actor known for playing many different parts in Shaw Brothers films. Wang Lung Wei was a well-known actor who often played the villain.

What made Ten Tigers of Kwangtung stand out from many other Shaw Brothers films was the appearance of the Venom Mob. This group of five actors, originally known from the popular film The Five Deadly Venoms, became a regular feature in Shaw Brothers productions.

During the late 1970s and 1980s, they were the main stars in films directed by Chang Cheh, the studio’s leading director. Rather than featuring the Ten Tigers of Kwangtung solely as a showcase for the Venom Mob, Chang unexpectedly paired them with Ti Lung, Ku Feng, and Fu Sheng – actors who usually starred in their own separate projects.

Ten Tigers Of Kwangtung Was An Avengers-Like Team-Up Movie

I finally understand why they needed such a huge cast for Ten Tigers of Kwangtung! The story really revolves around these legendary figures – the Ten Tigers of Canton. They were ten super-famous martial artists from 19th-century China, and honestly, they’re basically celebrities! Each one has been in movies and TV shows before, and a lot of times entire films are made just about their lives and all the amazing stories people tell about them.

As the title suggests, Ten Tigers of Kwangtung unites all ten legendary fighters in a single story, instead of focusing on just one. Because each tiger is a famous figure in Chinese folklore, the filmmakers cast well-known stars – drawing from the Shaw Brothers’ top actors – to appropriately reflect their importance.

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2026-01-20 22:32