The Seven Commandments Of Kung Fu A.K.A. • 功夫七戒 (1979)

The Seven Commandments Of Kung Fu, also released as 7 Commandments of Kung Fu, and originally titled 功夫七戒, is a 1979 Taiwanese martial arts film directed by Ko Pao, also credited as Shih-Hao Ko. Starring Li Yi-Min, Chang Yi, Lung Fei, Ma Chin-Ku, Goo Chang, and Suen Shu-Pei, the film follows a young disciple who becomes the student of a mysterious kung fu master and learns the deadly Mantis style. As the master's violent nature is revealed, the student must decide whether to continue following his teacher or turn against him. Blending traditional martial arts, training sequences, comedy, and hard-hitting fight choreography, The Seven Commandments Of Kung Fu is a distinctive example of late-1970s Taiwanese kung fu cinema. Available from ClassicKungFuMovies.com for collectors who appreciate authentic martial arts cinema on physical media.

STORY OVERVIEW

Young Shou Pei works in a small town before encountering the mysterious kung fu master Lu Tzo-Hai. Impressed by the older man's martial arts ability, Shou Pei becomes his student and begins learning the Mantis style.

As his training progresses, Shou Pei discovers that his teacher's past is far darker than he imagined. When he learns the truth about Lu Tzo-Hai and the violence surrounding his own family, student and master are ultimately forced toward a deadly confrontation.

MARTIAL ARTS HIGHLIGHTS

The Seven Commandments Of Kung Fu features traditional kung fu training, Mantis-style techniques, hand-to-hand combat, and extended fight sequences characteristic of independent Taiwanese martial arts productions of the late 1970s. The film combines serious martial arts action with the broad comedy common to many kung fu films of the period.

WHY COLLECTORS PICK IT

Collectors seek out The Seven Commandments Of Kung Fu for its unusual master-and-disciple storyline, strong martial arts performances, and vintage Taiwanese kung fu atmosphere. Li Yi-Min's lead performance is supported by veteran performers including Chang Yi, Lung Fei, and Ma Chin-Ku, giving the film a memorable cast of genre favorites.

HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Released in 1979, The Seven Commandments Of Kung Fu represents the independent Taiwanese kung fu productions that flourished during the genre's international boom. The film is also associated with the martial arts cinema tradition of the period that combined demanding training, traditional fighting styles, comedy, and revenge-driven storytelling. Its original Chinese title, 功夫七戒, and its appearance in international releases as 7 Commandments of Kung Fu have made it a recognizable title among collectors of vintage kung fu cinema.

• Verified AKAs:
  • The Seven Commandments Of Kung Fu – English title
  • 7 Commandments of Kung Fu – Alternate English title
  • 功夫七戒 – Original Chinese title
  • Gong Fu Qi Jie – Mandarin romanization
  • Las Siete Reglas del Kung Fu – Spanish release title
• Director: Ko Pao (Shih-Hao Ko)
• Producers: Te-Chien Chen, An-Ni Wang
• Screenplay: Yao Ching Kang
• Production Companies: An-Ni Wang, Te-Chien Chen
• Country: Taiwan
• Genre: Martial Arts, Action
• Martial Arts Focus: Traditional Kung Fu, Mantis Kung Fu, Hand-to-Hand Combat
• Starring: Li Yi-Min, Chang Yi, Lung Fei, Ma Chin-Ku, Goo Chang, Suen Shu-Pei
• Music: Stanley Chow Fook-Leung
• Release Date: May 12, 1979
• Format: DVD
• Language: English Dubbed
• Subtitles: None
• Running Time: 84 Minutes
• Region: All Regions
• Country: Taiwan
• Release Year: 1979

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