Long xiong hu di (1987)

User Rating:

6.7/10   

Director:

Jackie Chan

Writers:

Jackie Chan (writer)
John Sheppard (writer)

Release Date:

21 January 1987 (Hong Kong)

Genre:

Action | Adventure | Comedy

Tagline:

Jackie Chan in his greatest adventure ever!

Plot:

Jackie Chan and his bumbling sidekick are sent on a quest through Europe to find a mysterious treasure held by a shadowy organization of monks.

Plot Keywords:

Treasure | Europe | Cult | Fight | Martial Arts

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Jackie Chan	...	Jackie
Alan Tam	...	Alan
Rosamund Kwan	...	Lorelei
Lola Forner	...	May (as Maria Dolores Forner)
Bozidar Smiljanic	...	Bannon
Ken Boyle	...	Grand Wizard
John Ladalski	...	Chief Lama
Robert O'Brien	...	Witch Doctor
Boris Gregoric	...	Man at Auction
Alicia Shonte	...	Fighter
Vivian Wycliffe	...	Fighter
Stephanie Evans	...	Fighter
Linda Denley	...	Fighter
Marcia Chisholm	...	Fighter
William Williams	...	Fighter

Also Known As:

Armour of God (Hong Kong: English title)
Lung fong foo dai (Hong Kong: Cantonese title)
Operation Condor 2: The Armour of the Gods (USA) (DVD title)

Runtime:

88 min | Germany:87 min | Spain:94 min (25 fps) (DVD edition) | UK:94 min (25 fps) (restored version) | USA:86 min | Hong Kong:97 min

Country:

Yugoslavia | Hong Kong

Language:

Cantonese

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Germany:12 (re-rating) (uncut) | Germany:16 (original rating) (cut) | Australia:M | France:U | South Korea:15 | Canada:14A | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Ireland:15 | Norway:15 | Spain:T | UK:15 | USA:R | Iceland:16

Filming Locations:

Morocco

Company:

Golden Harvest Company

Trivia:

This is the only Jackie Chan-directed movie to be shot in 1.85 wide-screen. Known for normally filming in 2.35, the reason for the ratio change was due to the early sequences being shot in 1.85 by first director Eric Tsang. Rather than re-shooting the 1.85 scenes, or "super matting" them to 2.35, Chan decided to film the rest in 1.85.

Goofs:

Continuity: In the beginning when Jackie slides down from one rock to another, he has gloves on which disappear and reappear in subsequent shots.

Quotes:

High Priest: Who gave you the courage to be killed here?
Asian Hawk: I obey my god's every command. He looks after all my needs. I always say yes to him. Never no.
High Priest: Who is your god? What is your religion?
Asian Hawk: I believe in a powerful religion. The name of my god is... money.
High Priest: Prepare to be sacrified to your money god.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "The Angry Video Game Nerd: Chronologically Confused About Sequel Titles (#1.15)" (2006)

Soundtrack:

Friends

Very Enjoyable

I really enjoyed this movie not just for the spectacular stunts but also the chemistry between Jackie Chan and Alan Tam. It's one of Jackie's most accessible Hong Kong films although it does sag a bit in the middle this is due to a severe accident Jackie had on set during the opening chase sequence. Filming couldn't be halted for long due to budget constraints so a lot of stunt sequences were dropped and more emphasis placed on the comedy (which is hit and miss in places).

There are some incredible sequences at the start (an action packed chase)and at the end of the film (infiltrating the enemy base and a crazy escape plan). In between is some so/so comedy romance moments, the interplay between Jackie and Alan works really well at times producing some great comedy moments Alan's unwillingness to fight and his clumsiness when he does so really add to Jackies clowning.

The bad guys are a bit of a letdown other than some supposedly female body guards who look like rejects from the Rocky Horror Show which produces an inventive and painful looking fight scene. The monks are fairly inept and it must be said what was really needed is a big boss at the end for Jackie to fight but other than these small complaint its a very enjoyable action flick.

Well worth a watch great action with a bit of comedy thrown in for good measure 8/10