Phantom Kung Fu • 幽靈神功 • You Ling Shen Gong (1978)

Phantom Kung Fu (1978), also released as The Phantom Kung Fu, These Hands Destroy, Mantis in the Monkey's Shadow, and You Ling Shen Gong (幽靈神功), is a Taiwanese martial arts film directed by Lee Tso Nam. Starring Chang Yi, Don Wong Tao, Lee Kwan, Ma Cheung, Jimmy Lee Fong, and Shih Ting Ken, the film combines traditional kung fu, deadly Poison Palm techniques, supernatural elements, and revenge-driven action.

STORY OVERVIEW

Ta Te Lu, a ruthless Manchurian warlord, uses his deadly Poison Palm technique to eliminate members of the Ming resistance while searching for an important document. His reputation as an unstoppable fighter leaves the resistance struggling to find anyone capable of stopping him.

Then Ta Te Lu encounters Xiao Jubei, a mysterious resistance fighter who appears to possess a strange form of spiritual kung fu. As the two men repeatedly cross paths, Ta Te Lu becomes increasingly determined to destroy the fighter who seems impossible to kill.

MARTIAL ARTS HIGHLIGHTS

Phantom Kung Fu features Chang Yi's Poison Palm against Don Wong's unusual spiritual kung fu, along with traditional hand-to-hand combat and inventive fight sequences. Lee Tso Nam's direction gives the film a distinctive supernatural edge while keeping the action rooted in old-school Taiwanese martial arts.

WHY COLLECTORS PICK IT

Collectors remember Phantom Kung Fu for its unusual story, Chang Yi's memorable villain, Don Wong Tao's mysterious hero, and its strange blend of supernatural ideas and traditional kung fu. The film has also become a sought-after title among fans of rare Taiwanese martial arts cinema.

HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Released in 1978, Phantom Kung Fu represents the imaginative side of independent Taiwanese martial arts filmmaking during the late 1970s. Its unusual supernatural premise, distinctive villains, and martial arts action have helped it remain a memorable cult title among collectors.

• Verified AKAs:
  • Phantom Kung Fu – International English title
  • The Phantom Kung Fu – Alternate English title
  • The Phantom of Kung Fu – Alternate English title
  • These Hands Destroy – Alternate English title
  • Mantis in the Monkey's Shadow – Alternate English title
  • You Ling Shen Gong – Mandarin Pinyin
  • 幽靈神功 – Traditional Chinese title
• Director: Lee Tso Nam
• Writer: Sung Pe Liu
• Starring: Chang Yi, Don Wong Tao, Lee Kwan, Ma Cheung, Jimmy Lee Fong, Shih Ting Ken
• Format: DVD
• Language: English
• Region: All
• Running Time: 90 Minutes
• Country: Taiwan
• Release Year: 1978

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