Review of Secret Of The Shaolin Poles

Introduction

Before I start, a plea.

Can any DVD company who have rights to martial arts films, and who aren`t called Hong Kong Legends, please transfer all those rights to the aforementioned Hong Kong Legends effective immediately. Nobody does it better than Hong Kong Legends, although perhaps because nobody is trying. But if you won`t try, then don`t do it at all. The reason for this rant will become clear in a moment.

Another tale about Chinese folk hero, Fong Sai Yuk, who must once more help the oppressed masses fight against the evil and corrupt governments of the day etc. etc. But he is hindered in this as a man named Fang Ting is posing as him to get all his glory. They soon join forces to battle evil and must take on the deadly shaolin poles.

Video

A horrible nasty full frame transfer, which has been cropped down from the original print. It`s all a bit of a mess, with a very ropey sub-VHS quality about it a lot of the time. There is also plenty of print damage in the form of scratches, dust and dirt.

Almost unbearable basically.

Audio

A naff DD2.0 English dubbed soundtrack. Not only is it a dub (a criminal offence in my book), it`s very poor quality, with lots of naff sound effects added over the top and no redeeming features.

Features

Nothing worth talking about.

Conclusion

"Features some of the most breathtaking shaolin pole fighting ever committed to film."

Well, if it does, you`ll be lucky to see it through all the murk on the print. The plot is a mess, the picture`s a mess, the sound is a mess.

If you want to see a good film with martial arts in it, get something else like Iron Monkey or a Bruce Lee film. If you want a piece of old tat that no-one has lavished any care and attention upon, this is your thing.

Avoid, even if it`s in a bargain bucket for 1 pound.