More classic chopsocky action from Lau Kar-Leung and Shaw Brothers. The feud between Shaolin and Pai Mei becomes a generational affair in this wonderful example of the genre. Gordon Liu meets a bloody but heroic demise at the outset, but demands that... (read more) More classic chopsocky action from Lau Kar-Leung and Shaw Brothers. The feud between Shaolin and Pai Mei becomes a generational affair in this wonderful example of the genre. Gordon Liu meets a bloody but heroic demise at the outset, but demands that fellow Shaolin pupil Hong (Chen Kuan-tai) avenge him and their Shaolin master, all slain by Pai Mei and the villainous Manchus.
From then on it's years of training for Hong as he attempts to perfect his Tiger Style in order to defeat the invincible and seemingly immortal Pai Mei, but eventually the responsibility falls to his strangely androgenous son who must combine his father's Tiger Style and his mother's Crane Style to overcome old White Brow's unusual defensive technique.
This film is significant for many reasons, not least because it's an early outing for Liu whose brief but spectacular appearance at the start of the film clearly marks him for greater things. It is also obviously no coincidence that Liu would go on to play Pai Mei himself in Kill Bill. However, this is also a great film in it's own right with an unusually intricate storyline and character developments. There are some great performances as well, and not just of the physical variety. Some of the action is not quite as masterful as it would become under Master Lau's direction in later years, but the opening sequence with Liu is outstanding.

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The first and best Pai Mei movie ever. While the choreography isn't quite Lau Kar-Leung's top work, it was definitely a taste of things to come.

Amazing film a kung fu film at its best. When the son learns tiger style filling in gaps from crane style is the highlight for me.

The original Bak Mei movie, before Clan of the White Lotus and eventually Kill Bill. The fighting is excellent, as in any of Lau Kar Leung's movies, but likewise lacked a complete ending.

Executions From Shaolin is the second in the Pai Mei "trilogy" in between Abbot of Shaolin and Clan of the White Lotus. Pai Mei (Master White Brows) plays the major adversary with his mastery of Tiger style boxing and ability to move his weak point a... (read more) Executions From Shaolin is the second in the Pai Mei "trilogy" in between Abbot of Shaolin and Clan of the White Lotus. Pai Mei (Master White Brows) plays the major adversary with his mastery of Tiger style boxing and ability to move his weak point around. Executioners is a revenge flick but the story is a little wonky. The first half follows Hung Hsi Kuan , also using Tiger Style, as he leads a band of rebel Shaolin Monks pretending to be a theater troop. This, however, serves only to hook him up with his wife who is a master of the Crane Style and produce their son Wen-Ding. The second half focuses on Hsi Kuan challenging Pai Mei several times, ultimately losing because Pai Mei has moved his "weak point," apparently his balls, to his head. Seriously. Wen-Ding then vows to avenge his father, combines Tiger and Crane style and beats Pai Mei.

The Kung-Fu fights in this are great. Pai Mei, as always, has the magical unbreakable crotch hold. Everyone falls for it and Pai ends up dragging them around the arena by their feet in what is probably one of the most ridiculous and hilarious maneuvers in any Shaw Brothers flick. Gordon Liu is in good form here as well. Definitely a recommend watch if you're into Kung-Fu even if half the movie is kind of pointless.