This 2-disc Blu-ray set from Eureka Entertainment is currently available for purchase.
Every so often, a movie so bizarre arrives that it leaves a lasting impression on the viewer. For many Hong Kong martial arts enthusiasts, that picture may be one (or perhaps even both) of those included in the Two Taoist Tales double feature Blu-ray from Eureka Entertainment. The first film includes a creature so hilariously strange that it no doubt has been remembered for decades. And that’s just one of the odd occurrences in the picture.
To give a bit of background, during this period in China, the success of titles like Sammo Hung’s Encounter of the Spooky Kind (1980) inspired a great many Hong Kong films that included martial arts, supernatural phenomena and comedy. Knock-off after knock-off was produced, and the Yuen family soon took it to the next level with a 1982 fantasy action picture called The Miracle Fighters. Its success resulted in a thematic sequel called Shaolin Drunkard, which ultimately led to a third picture called Taoism Drunkard. After that picture, another film known as The Young Taoism Fighter followed with loose connections to the previous trilogy (essentially, the Yuens helped stage the action scenes and the lead is played by one of them).
Eureka Entertainment is now presenting the 2-disc “Collector’s Edition” Blu-ray Two Taoist Tales, which contains Taoism Drunkard and The Young Taoism Fighter. Both films have been given remarkable 2K restorations for this release. And yes, the first movie in the set is so ridiculously unhinged it will frequently leave the jaws of most viewers agape.
Taoism Drunkard follows a kung-fu expert who is a devotee of drunken style fighting. The “Drunken Taoist” (Cheung-Yan Yuen) is a goofy figure who often gets himself into trouble after consuming too much alcohol. One day, he accidentally damages a religious statue and is ordered to find a virginal boy for a rite that will repair the icon. After getting into trouble chasing children around (in a scene that would never be shot today), the lead finds a potential virgin in the older Wu Shun Chiu (Yat-Chor Yuen). But, they encounter an evil figure known as the Old Devil (Shun-Yee Yuen) who is desperate to collect a magical writ that will make him more powerful. The writ is protected by the grandmother of the virgin (also played by Yat-Chor Yuen, only in drag) along with a “Banana Monster” aka “Watermelon Monster”.
The humor is over-the-top in every possible way. This film’s villain thrusts a flying metallic ball at enemies that opens and fires, well, more metallic balls. In the meantime, the heroes get into all sorts of trouble with bandits (one of them enjoys hurling smoking bombs in the air). It’s a non-stop barrage of fights and weird gags that must be seen to be believed.
This picture benefits from incredibly well-choreographed battle scenes that were designed by family member Woo-Ping Yuen. If that name sounds familiar, it’s because he would eventually serve as action choreographer/advisor on The Matrix, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and Kung-Fu Hustle (among many other famous titles).
Of course, the highlight is the surreal “Banana Monster” scene. This circular figure not only verbally insults those trying to steal the special item, but also runs around like the title character from the arcade game Pac-Man. It grasps the breasts of intruders with its limbs and chomps at their crotches. Yes, this actually happens in the movie and it will remain permanently ingrained in the memory of all who witness it.
The most important thing is that this crazy movie is a lot of fun to watch. It’s fast-paced, the action is spectacular and the gags are so off-the-wall that, even if the cultural humor doesn’t translate (or perhaps because of it), the surrealness is amazing to witness.
Thankfully, this title comes with two film historian commentary tracks featuring pairs of experts who help decipher the onscreen insanity. You’ll learn about the history of the Yeun family, and perhaps most importantly, explanations for some of the jokes and their meaning. Thankfully, the name of the creature also is clarified. It seems that while it has an appearance that is more like a watermelon, the “Banana Monster” is the direct and proper translation. Its moniker essentially refers to a part of the male anatomy that the round beast is targeting.
The image quality is very sharp, so much so that you can sometimes see wires pulling the performers during fights. This is all fine though, as it just adds to the wildness on display. The picture quality is better than anticipated and viewers are able to check out all the unusual features of the monster, as well as background details on other sets.
The Young Taoism Fighter can’t possibly live up to the previous film, and, frankly, it doesn’t.. But at least the movie contains a couple of moments that come close. This one involves a pair of students being trained at a school of Taoist martial arts. Cheng Ko (Yat-Chor Yuen) is a good-natured but disobedient student who spends his time either with his pal (Tai Bo) or frustrating his teachers. While goofing around, he discovers information on the forbidden Shadow Separation fighting technique. He and his friend initially use it for fun, but Cheng Ko is forced to use the skills in action when a nasty figure (Yi-Tao Chang) with supernatural powers threatens the school.
This effort feels far more conventional, with fights taking place on fields and whatnot and thus doesn’t make as big of an impression. That is, except for a couple of sequences involving the lead separating from himself and learning his newly acquired fighting skill. One bit in which he separates his spirit from his body and gets into a competition with his friend in a kitchen, includes some oddball humor and a surprising jolt at its close. The other is the final battle. Not to spoil it, but something quite nasty happens to a character, but the individual finds a way to use separated human limbs to his advantage.
This effort also includes two commentary tracks from the same experts, who go over the cast and crew, as well as explaining some cultural references in the movie that North American audiences may not understand. It goes a long way to help explain the unfolding chaos. The set also includes interviews with film historians, as well as director and actor Cheung-Yan Yuen. Trailers for the pictures are also included.
Taoism Drunkard is completely insane and wildly entertaining, while The Young Taoism Fighter serves as a nice little bonus feature with a couple of demented moments. The picture quality on both titles is quite good and the extras do help to clarify (some of) what is going on. I had a blast watching these titles and am sure that anyone looking for cinematic lunacy will have a great time with the Two Taoist Tales Blu-ray set.