Shatter • Call Him Mr. Shatter • 鐵膽英雄 (1974)

Shatter (1974), also released as Call Him Mr. Shatter, is a British-Hong Kong action thriller directed by Michael Carreras and Monte Hellman. Produced by Hammer Films and Shaw Brothers Studio, the film stars Stuart Whitman, Ti Lung, Lily Li, Peter Cushing, and Anton Diffring. The story follows an international hitman who discovers he has been betrayed after completing a deadly contract and turns to martial arts expert Tai Pah for help.

STORY OVERVIEW

After assassinating an African political leader, professional hitman Shatter travels to Hong Kong to collect his payment. Instead, he discovers that the people who hired him have set him up and that he is now being hunted by criminals, police, and others who want him dead.

With nowhere else to turn, Shatter joins forces with Tai Pah, a skilled martial arts fighter played by Ti Lung. Together they uncover a dangerous conspiracy involving double-crosses, international politics, and a payment that powerful enemies will kill to keep from reaching Shatter.

MARTIAL ARTS HIGHLIGHTS

Shatter mixes gunfights, hand-to-hand combat, martial arts duels, and international espionage. Ti Lung provides the film's strongest connection to Shaw Brothers action, with fights that include Chinese kung fu alongside karate, taekwondo, and other fighting styles.

WHY COLLECTORS PICK IT

Collectors remember Shatter for its unusual combination of Hammer Films atmosphere and Shaw Brothers martial arts. The pairing of Stuart Whitman, Ti Lung, and Peter Cushing makes this a distinctive 1970s action film with a cast rarely seen together.

HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Released in 1974, Shatter was the second and final Hammer Films and Shaw Brothers Studio co-production. It stands apart as an East-meets-West action film combining British crime thriller elements with Hong Kong martial arts cinema. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}

• Verified A.K.A.s:
  • Shatter – Original English title
  • Call Him Mr. Shatter – U.S. release title
  • 奪命刺客 – Traditional Chinese title
  • 夺命刺客 – Simplified Chinese title
  • Duo Ming Ci Ke – Mandarin Pinyin
  • Dyut Ming Chi Haak – Cantonese romanization
  • They Call Me Mr. Shatter – Alternate U.S. video title
• Directors: Michael Carreras, Monte Hellman
• Writer: Don Houghton
• Producers: Michael Carreras, Vee King Shaw
• Music: David Lindup
• Studios: Hammer Films, Shaw Brothers Studio
• Starring: Stuart Whitman, Ti Lung, Lily Li, Peter Cushing, Anton Diffring
• Format: DVD
• Language: English, Mandarin
• Running Time: 90 Minutes
• Country: Hong Kong, United Kingdom
• Release Year: 1974

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