Five Deadly Venoms

Classic Shaw Bros. Kung-Fu flick has lots of colorful set pieces and action. Each of the deadly Poisons are great ranging from the wall crawling Lizard whos ability to fight with speed and agility from walls is ultra cool!

The super strong Toad is almost invincible in any form of attack. His skill lies in his defence

The Centipede is fast and wiggly! His ability to move fast makes him seem like he has 1000 legs and arms.

The double threat of the Scorpion. His kicking ability is as deadly as the tail of the scorpion and his hands are as deadly as pincers.

The Snake fights with percision. His one hand the deadly fangs the other hand the whipping rattling tail.

Although never referred to it in the film there is a 6th venom. He is a hybrid of the five venoms. But is the weakest of the five because he has never completely studied any of the five. He is also the one character that provides a bit of comedy relief as he bumbles his way around.

Released in 1978 and directed by Chang Cheh who directed several other legendary films like The One-Armed Swordsman.

The plot involves the Hybrid Venom being dispatched by his dying master to look out for a friends fortune. He is afraid that the venoms have been using their skills for evil and is afraid his friend is under threat. The Hybrid Venom is to track down the venoms and see if are an allie or a threat.

The film is stylish. Chang Cheh lights darkend dungeons with vibrant colors. Mario Bava would have been proud! Some of the best moment come during the first several minutes of the film when we are introduced to the Poison Clan. Cheh uses brilliant and memorable imagry for each of them.

The fights are pretty amazing. Especially the 5 man fight at the end. It has to be seen to be believed. And with a complex story the weaves all around The Five Deadly Venoms definatly deserves its cult status!