All Men Are Brothers A.K.A. Seven Soldiers of Kung Fu • 蕩寇誌 (1975)

All Men Are Brothers (1975), also released as Seven Soldiers of Kung Fu, Seven Blows of the Dragon II, and Dang Kou Zhi (蕩寇誌 / 荡寇志), is a Hong Kong historical wuxia film directed by Chang Cheh and Wu Ma for Shaw Brothers Studio. Based on the classic Chinese novel Water Margin, the film follows the Liangshan heroes after they receive imperial amnesty and are ordered to fight the forces of Fang La. Starring David Chiang, Ti Lung, Chen Kuan-tai, Danny Lee Sau-yin, Michael Chan Wai-man, Ku Feng, and Bolo Yeung, the film combines large-scale battles, swordplay, heroic sacrifice, and the brotherhood themes that became closely associated with Chang Cheh's Shaw Brothers productions.

STORY OVERVIEW

Following the events of The Water Margin, the Liangshan heroes receive a pardon from the Song emperor and are given a new mission: defeat the rebel forces of Fang La in southern China. Rather than returning to ordinary life, the warriors must once again risk everything in a campaign against a powerful enemy occupying heavily defended territory.

Seven of the Liangshan warriors are chosen to enter Fang La's stronghold and help open the way for the larger Liangshan army. As the campaign unfolds, the heroes face fierce resistance, deadly battles, and heavy losses, testing the loyalty and courage that have held them together through years of conflict.

MARTIAL ARTS HIGHLIGHTS

All Men Are Brothers features the large-scale swordplay, spear fighting, battlefield combat, and stunt work associated with Shaw Brothers' historical martial arts productions. The film places its extensive ensemble cast in military clashes and close-quarters fights, giving the action a broader battlefield scale than many of the studio's more intimate wuxia adventures.

With martial arts performers and action specialists including Lau Kar-leung, Tong Kai, Lau Kar-wing, and Chan Chuen involved in the film's action work, the production combines traditional weapons combat with the fast, physical choreography that defined Shaw Brothers action cinema during the 1970s.

WHY COLLECTORS PICK IT

Collectors seek All Men Are Brothers for its impressive Shaw Brothers cast and its place in the studio's screen adaptations of Water Margin. David Chiang, Ti Lung, Chen Kuan-tai, Danny Lee, Michael Chan Wai-man, Ku Feng, and Bolo Yeung are joined by a large supporting cast, giving the film the kind of ensemble scale that became a hallmark of Chang Cheh's historical martial arts productions.

For collectors of Shaw Brothers Movies, Chang Cheh films, and classic Chinese historical martial arts cinema, All Men Are Brothers remains an important companion to The Water Margin and a strong example of the studio's large-scale wuxia filmmaking of the 1970s.

HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Released in 1975, All Men Are Brothers adapts the later portion of the 14th-century Chinese classic Water Margin, focusing on the Liangshan heroes' campaign against Fang La after their imperial amnesty. The film continued Shaw Brothers' successful use of China's classical literature as the foundation for ambitious martial arts productions.

• Verified AKAs:
  • All Men Are Brothers – International English title
  • Seven Soldiers of Kung Fu – U.S. English release title
  • Seven Blows of the Dragon II – Alternate English title
  • Seven Kung Fu Assassins – Alternate English title
  • 108 Heroes – Alternate English title
  • All Men Are Brothers II – Alternate English title
  • The Story of Punishment – Hong Kong working title
  • Turbulent Invade Record – Literal English translation
  • Dang Kou Zhi – Mandarin Pinyin
  • Dong Kau Ji – Cantonese romanization
  • 蕩寇誌 – Traditional Chinese title
  • 荡寇志 – Simplified Chinese title
  • I Sette Guerrieri del Kung Fu – Italian release title
  • Die Eroberer – German release title
  • Todos los hombres son hermanos – Spanish release title
  • Os 7 Guerreiros do Kung Fu – Brazilian Portuguese release title
• Directors: Chang Cheh, Wu Ma
• Screenplay: Chang Cheh, Ni Kuang
• Based On: Water Margin by Shi Nai'an
• Studio: Shaw Brothers Studio
• Action Direction: Lau Kar-leung, Tong Kai, Lau Kar-wing, Chan Chuen
• Starring: David Chiang, Ti Lung, Chen Kuan-tai, Danny Lee Sau-yin, Michael Chan Wai-man, Ku Feng, Bolo Yeung
• Format: DVD
• Language: Mandarin
• Subtitles: English
• Running Time: 101 Minutes
• Country: Hong Kong
• Release Year: 1975

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