Review: Snuff Bottle Connection (1977)

(aka Shen tui tie shan gong)
Directed by: Li-Li Liu, Chin Hu Tung
Starring: Jang-Lee Hwang, John Liu, Roy Horan
Written by: Tue Liang-tee
Music by: Chow Lan-ping
Country: Hong Kong
Available on: DVD (Black Belt Theatre, EastWest)
IMDb

The Snuff Bottle Connection is extremely plot-heavy, and going into the plot in detail would be pretty challenging. Russian military men meet with General Shantung in Peking, and while the meeting appears to be peaceful, the General knows they have something else up their sleeves. He has Shao-Ting spy on the Russians, and he finds a link between them and an evil Chinese Magistrate. You can probably guess that the titular connection is an exquisitely made snuff bottle specific to the region. Somehow villainous Russian Colonel Tolstoy has one in his possession, which suggests a traitor is working with the Russians. Shao-Ting enlists the help of a mischievous character named Hwa. The rest of the movie consists of spying, reporting information to superior officers, and incredible fight scenes. Legendary kicker John Liu plays Shao-Ting and Jang-Lee Hwang, regarded as the Lord of the Superkickers amongst kung fu film fans, plays the main villain. Master choreographer Yuen Woo-ping takes full advantage of the performer's strengths, and the kicks come fast and frequently. The supporting cast is almost equally impressive. The actor who plays Hwa, whose name I couldn't confirm anywhere online, is charismatic and terrific in action scenes. There's also an acrobatic child actor who gets himself out of being hog-tied spectacularly. Though the movie is heavy with plot,the film's directors, husband and wife Chin Hu Tung and Li-Li Liu, perfectly balance it with action. The action direction isn't on par with Kao Pao-shu or Lau Kar-Leung, but when the talent in front of the camera is at this level, all you need is a camera on sticks. The movie is a blast and a must-see for fans of the genre.

Overall rating: 8.5 out of 10