Snake in the Crane's Shadow
Snake in the Crane's Shadow

Movie spotlight

Snake in the Crane's Shadow

1978
Movie
91 min
Mandarin

After the Mistress of the Crane (Doris Lung Chun Erh) finds a valuable piece of jewelry, she must fight off a band of thieves. Despite being blind, the Mistress uses her kung fu mastery to pummel the thieves (including Shek Tin), the notorious Lame Dragon (Barry Chan) and the Eight Step Killer (Lung Tuen-Hsiang). She ends up fighting for her life and the ultimate prize. Gordon Liu hosts the commentary included with this martial arts film.

Insights

IMDb7.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes93%
Metacritic68/100
Google Users90%
Director: Yuen Woo-pingGenres: Action, Comedy, Martial Arts

Plot Summary

A young, bullied kung fu student, known for his clumsy fighting style, is taught the secrets of the legendary Snake and Crane fighting styles by a seemingly senile old beggar. He must then use his newfound skills to defend his sect from a ruthless assassin and a corrupt master.

Critical Reception

Snake in the Crane's Shadow is widely regarded as a pivotal film in Jackie Chan's career, showcasing his comedic timing and innovative fight choreography. It was a significant box office success and helped establish his international stardom.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its inventive and often humorous fight sequences.

  • Celebrated for Jackie Chan's charisma and physical comedy.

  • Noted for the effective blend of traditional martial arts with slapstick humor.

Google audience: Audiences consistently praise the film's hilarious action sequences and Jackie Chan's incredible stunt work and comedic performance. Many highlight the creative use of everyday objects in the fights and the engaging storyline.

Fun Fact

The film was a critical and commercial breakthrough for Jackie Chan, proving his potential as a leading man and action-comedy star.

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