The Challenger (1979) User Reviews (4)

Above average martial arts comedy from the golden age of martial arts movies

[ckormos1 · 7/10 · 25 July 2016]

The new kung fu school opens and welcomes all challengers as the candle burns. Unfortunately, Norman Chhu arrives for a challenge. He easily defeats the students and the teacher. He announces he is just looking for one man so he can prove he is the best fighter.

Next we cut to the casino where David Chiang loses the game but wins the fight. Then he goes to the kung fu school that is now closing and learns about Norman. He encounters Norman at the bank and notices his wealth. They fight briefly at the casino to a respectful draw. Lily is a hooker at the casino and is romantically involved with a former bandit chief. She offers David money to kill Norman.

My copy is widescreen and of good enough resolution for a modern high definition television. It is English dubbed but there are a few times the dubbing drops. The end fight is top notch. David Chiang does most of his moves except the acrobatics. Though not a martial artist at the start of his acting career he has had many years to practice and is as good as the real deal now, except for the acrobatics. Near the end there was a move of his I watched over and over. He does a forward flip. This is a very simple move for the average stunt man but something most difficult for anyone else. There are three cuts in the film sequence but it is definitely him in every cut.

Overall this martial arts comedy rates as above average for the year and genre and I recommend it for all fans.

Shaw stars unite for an enjoyable actioner

[Leofwine_draca · 6/10 · 19 March 2020]

THE CHALLENGER offers kung fu fans a chance to see what a number of Shaw Brothers stars were up to when working away from the studio. David Chiang had come to the end of his contract and was now working in all kinds of assorted productions while the rest, including Ni Kuang, were busy moonlighting. This film was directed by future comedy star Eric Tsang, who has a small cameo, but is more notable for featuring Chiang and Norman Chu as a mismatched duo. The former is the typical capitalist character you find in these movies, always out to make a quick buck or two, while Chu is on a mission of revenge, the reason for which is revealed thanks to a lengthy melodramatic flashback. The film offers a mix of generally only mildly amusing comedy, sometimes lame, with Mars bagging possibly the funniest role as a goofy henchman. However, the action is plentiful and enjoyable; not top tier, but certainly a lot of fun anyway. Lily Li has an interestingly developed role and the big bad is played by none other than Phillip Ko at his physical peak. The lengthy two-on-one climax is great stuff and reminded me of the ending of THE RAID as it's something of a similar endurance test.

As good as The Loot.

[Masta_Ruthless · 9/10 · 15 April 2006]

This movie is or isn't a sequel to The Loot (aka Bloody Tattoo), regardless of that the action in this one is just as good if not better. Just in small detail, one is out for revenge the other is out for money. Both men are skilled in martial arts, but are no match for the head man himself, at least not by themselves.

The action is great all of the way through, but the end fight is one to look forward to, if you have seen The Loot, then get ready for another great fight scene in this one as well, there is a light comedy side to the film, but doesn't get in the way of the action.

Again if you like good choreography, then by all means check out the Deadly Challenger, and if you can try and pick up The Loot, two great martial arts films......................with the same stars in them both. 9/10

Challenging...

[poe-48833 · 10/10 · 25 January 2016]

In THE CHALLENGER, we're introduced to Chin, a man on a mission: he wants to find a nameless nemesis who is reputed to be opening a new Kung Fu school. He goes around challenging the Sifu(s) at any and all new Kung Fu schools- and beats them. (We see one such upstart wringing his hands in desperation, hoping that Chin won't show before a traditional candle, which is lit upon the opening of a new school, has burned out: the Sifu of a new school can be challenged and the challenge must be accepted before the candle expires. Unfortunately for the new Sifu, Chin DOES show up in time...) Meanwhile, David Chiang has to forcibly collect his ill-gotten gains from a local casino. Chin and Chiang cross paths, but their confrontation ends in a stalemate. Chiang- who will do anything for a dollar- is hired by the lovely Miss Wei to kill Chin. Chiang and Chin eventually become kinda/sorta friends. There's an interesting silent sequence (set to music) wherein Chiang speculates about Chin's relationship with his wife; Chin's VERY dramatic version of events follows- ending with his wife's death. THE CHALLENGER is a very well done movie, with good action and it never flags. See for yourself.