Review of The Magnificent Butcher (1979) by Magill F — 23 Feb 2013

Kung fu Classic with martial arts big man! (Literally) Sammo hung! And choreography genius Yuen Wo Ping!

I couldn't believe this was shot in 1979 (The flixster page is wrong every other source states the film was made a year before.).

But anyway very nice comedic interactions in this film, especially with Sammo's character butcher wing getting in trouble all the time with his sifu.

The choreography and pyhical talents is artistically amazing and Kwan Tak Hing is awesome as Wong Fei Hung for a man in his 80s! Just watch u see a 80 yearish guy with enough hip flexiblity to get his head between his knees. I'm young and do sports and I'm not that flexible LOL!

Watch out for the chinese calligraphy(chinese art of brush writing), scene which is implemented into a artistic fight.

Also Sammo is on note, giving one of his best physical performances I've ever seen, it was in 1979 so he'd be in his mid 20s and still priming and it shows as he does some of the fastest acrobatic flips, kicks and feats near the end fight. For someone his size it's unbelievable how he can flip and kick so good and fast.

[My example during the end fight scene: No wires, I did a freeze frame check and listening to the audio commentary to confirm, and it's him the close up pans wide and he flips and kicks a mad combo for the entire shot. I Couldn't believe it. I knew he was gd for his size, but hell most lighter sportsmen have a hard time doing what I saw him do in that scene.

He also does a perfect Aerial over his opponent, chest brushing chest as he went over... again couldn't believe it thought he had wire support, but being into flips, martial arts, bboying & free running myself I examined closely & the jump is authentic, it was for real lol!].