Dirty Ho A.K.A. Lan Tau Ho • 爛頭何 (1979)

Dirty Ho (1979), also released as Lan Tau Ho, was originally released as 爛頭何 (Làn Tóu Hé / Laan Tau Ho). Directed by Lau Kar-leung (Liu Chia-liang) for Shaw Brothers Studio, this acclaimed martial arts comedy stars Wong Yue, Gordon Liu (Liu Chia-hui), Lo Lieh, Hsiao Ho, Kara Hui Ying-hung, and Wang Lung-wei. Renowned for its inventive choreography, clever humor, and authentic kung fu, the film remains one of Lau Kar-leung's finest achievements. Available from ClassicKungFuMovies.com for collectors seeking authentic Shaw Brothers classics on DVD.

STORY OVERVIEW

Traveling incognito, the 11th Prince of the Qing Dynasty hides both his royal identity and extraordinary martial arts skills while uncovering a deadly conspiracy against his life. To avoid suspicion, he allows others to underestimate him, concealing his mastery even during dangerous encounters.

When rival princes send ruthless assassins to eliminate him, the Prince reluctantly recruits the crafty jewel thief Dirty Ho as an unlikely ally. Together they confront deadly enemies through deception, strategy, and brilliantly choreographed martial arts battles that lead to one of Shaw Brothers' most memorable finales. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

MARTIAL ARTS HIGHLIGHTS

Dirty Ho is celebrated for Lau Kar-leung's groundbreaking "fighting without fighting" choreography, where seemingly ordinary gestures conceal devastating martial arts techniques. Hidden movements, improvised weapons, elegant hand techniques, and precise Hung Gar-inspired choreography create some of the most inventive action sequences in classic kung fu cinema. The spectacular final showdown between Gordon Liu and Lo Lieh is regarded as one of the director's greatest achievements. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}

WHY COLLECTORS PICK IT

Collectors consider Dirty Ho one of Lau Kar-leung's masterpieces for its perfect balance of comedy, authentic martial arts, and innovative choreography. Gordon Liu delivers one of his finest performances, while Wong Yue provides outstanding comic timing alongside Lo Lieh's commanding villain. Its originality and technical brilliance have made it an essential Shaw Brothers classic. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}

HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Released in 1979, Dirty Ho helped redefine the martial arts comedy by combining realistic kung fu with sophisticated visual storytelling instead of slapstick alone. The film remains one of Lau Kar-leung's most admired works and is frequently cited for its creative choreography and influence on later Hong Kong action cinema. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}

• Verified AKAs:
  • Dirty Ho – International English title
  • Lan Tau Ho – Alternate English title
  • 爛頭何 – Original Traditional Chinese title
  • 烂头何 – Simplified Chinese title
  • Làn Tóu Hé (Lan Tou He) – Mandarin pinyin
  • Laan Tau Ho – Cantonese romanization
• Director: Lau Kar-leung (Liu Chia-liang)
• Producer: Run Run Shaw
• Screenplay: Ni Kuang
• Action Director: Lau Kar-leung
• Music: Eddie Wang
• Cinematography: Arthur Wong, Ao Chih-chun
• Editor: Chiang Hsing-lung, Li Yen-hai
• Studio: Shaw Brothers Studio
• Starring: Wong Yue, Gordon Liu (Liu Chia-hui), Lo Lieh, Hsiao Ho, Kara Hui Ying-hung, Wang Lung-wei
• Format: DVD
• Language: English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo)
• Subtitles: English
• Region: All Regions
• Running Time: 98 Minutes
• Release Year: 1979

Carefully researched and prepared for collectors of classic martial arts cinema by ClassicKungFuMovies.com.