Clan of the White Lotus (1980)

Clan of the White Lotus is an unofficial sequel of sorts to Executioners from Shaolin. Lo Lieh directs and stars in this film and he seems to take particular delight in playing the powerful, evil kung fu master. His character is one of the definitive bad guys of kung fu movies showing confidence, skill, humor, and malevolence. Gordon Liu stars as the young man (Chen Kuan Tai played the character in Executioners) who had helped bring down the bad guy in the original movie but who is initially no match for this new white bearded master. Again, it's a loose adaptation and the ending from Executioners doesn't match up with the beginning of White Lotus, but that's a small quibble when it comes to kung fu movies.

The story is the familiar, “you killed my loved ones, prepare to die!” revenge plot. After being beaten by the bearded master Liu must train in new styles. What gave this movie a positive twist for me, as in the last one, it was a woman who gave him the additional guidance he needed. Kara Hui plays the woman who helps him and she is a joy to watch fight and train. Liu must open his mind as he learns a woman's style and control over his abilities. He was in fine form in this movie, displaying three different kung fu styles.

Lau Kar Leung directed the martial arts scenes, of which there were many. He is becoming my favorite kung fu choreographer. Unlike some movies, the fighting is fast and furious, still slowed down enough to follow but not the more tedious staged posing fights. One scene with a mostly naked Lo Lieh fighting as he comes out of his luxurious hot tub, trying to get dressed while fending off Liu, was fun to watch. Normally in kung fu movies it's the women who have to bare it all for the camera. It's nice to have the roles reversed for once.

The sets and costumes weren’t as nice as in some Shaw Brothers movies. The version available to me was dubbed which is always a disappointment. Lam Fai Wong played the comic side-kick and punching bag, but a little of him went a long way.

Clan of the White Lotus made for an entertaining, but most likely not memorable, 90-minute watch. Lo Lieh's villain is what I will most likely carry with me. As always, I’m slightly generous with my kung fu scores recognizing they were for a specific audience forty years ago on limited budgets.

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