Odd Couple

This Hong Kong action comedy from 1979 sees superstars Sammo Hung and Lau Kar-Wing (who also directed the film) in dual roles as two ageing Sifus (martial arts instructors) and their two younger students fighting a relentless duel – although the non-stop fight scenes here are considerably more weapon-based (mainly sword versus spear) as opposed to classical karate kicks.

Set in turn-of-the century China, two ageing martial arts experts get together for their annual duel, one being King of Sabres (Sammo Hung), master of the short sword and his opponent, King of Spears master (Lau Kar-Wing). This first duel also provides the spectacular opening credits during which Sabre King and Spear King not only engage in a jaw-dropping fight (each using their weapon of choice and skill) but a brief prologue furthermore introduces us to all the main weapons used in ancient China and they look fearsome indeed! As time goes by and the two masters (also known as Sifus) get older and a decision is reached that they take on one student each to determine who is the better teacher: Sabre King or Spear King. Both men agree to meet up again in ten years time with their prospective students in tow who are then to carry out the duel – by doing so these age-old skills will continue to exist through a new generation.

Fast forward ten years and we enter Ah Yo (also Sammo Hung) and Stubborn Wing (also Lau Kar-Wing) – two bumbling lads who, after the usual array of slapstick and comic interludes so typical in Sammo Hung films – somehow manage to become the two students in question. This is particularly funny because for the part of the students both Hung and Kar-Wing look their usual self while for the part of the two ageing Sifus they sport grey wigs, eyebrows down to the knees and goatee beards reaching the navel. Of course, it wouldn’t be an action comedy if things went according to plan because naturally, nothing goes according to plan: Old Yellow Dog (Bryan Leung), formerly a respected martial arts fighter, was defeated in separate duels with Sabre King and Spear King, this is shown is flashback scenes and explains the scars on his cheek. Forced to retire from fighting he has now emerged under his new name Laughing Bandit and – since having mastered the art of the long bladed weapon – is now out for revenge. First, he kidnaps the two students… if only to lure the two Sifus out of the woods. A fierce battle begins, the two masters appear to hold the upper hand but Laughing Bandit’s new fighting technique is a force to be reckoned with and eventually, Sabre King and Spear King are killed though even while lying mortally wounded on the ground they bicker over who will die first.

Ah Yo is now officially the new Sabre King and Stubborn Wing is now officially the new Spear King and it goes without saying they use every trick in the book to exact revenge for the brutal killing of their respective Sifus. Even magnets, which can pull weapons from their opponents, come in handy! While the two younger Sifus manage indeed to exact their revenge without losing their lives in the process there’s also a very important lesson to be learned… one that the old and now dead masters never even considered…

It would be fair to say that the plot is secondary in this action classic given the fact that there’s hardly any break in between all the mind-boggling fight sequences which come so thick and fast the viewers are left exhausted just watching it all – what must it have been like for actors? As ever, Sammo Hung, Lau Kar-Wing and Bryan Leung give 110 % and other martial arts performers such as Karl Maka (who produced) and Lam Ching Ying also make welcome screen appearances. Special mention must be given to Dean Shrek in the role of Master Rocking – a dim-witted playboy who is taught a lesson or two by Sammo’s Ah Yo when he turns the Casanova into a human egg dispenser, an absolutely riotous scene!

Indeed, ODD COUPLE showcases some of the most accomplished and spectacular weapons choreography ever! This gem from the Golden Age of Hong Kong cinema has been 2K restored and is now available on Blu-ray for the first time in the UK. The first print run (2000 copies) are presented in a Limited Edition O-card slipcase with Collector’s booklet. Bonus features include audio commentaries, archival interviews, trailers and various audio options.