Film Name: 五郎八卦棍 / Eight Diagram Pole Fighter / The 8 Diagram Pole Fighter
In the lazy person’s perception, old-school movie fight scenes are all rigidly choreographed, with predictable offense and defense, especially in Shaw Brothers films where the filming techniques and martial arts styles are highly consistent. Among numerous period action films, Sammo Hung’s Five Brothers: The Eight Trigrams Staff stands as a classic representative work. Its action design—particularly the spear and staff techniques—is exceptionally brilliant, and it also demonstrates innovative thinking in weapon modifications. Unfortunately, this 1984 film suffers from mediocre production values, with limited set designs significantly hampering the actors’ performances.
Adapted from the Yang Family Generals saga, the film faithfully portrays the fates of the seven brothers during the Battle of Jinsha Beach. However, the narrative veers off course in the latter half, particularly with Fu Sheng’s portrayal of Yang Yanzhao—his unhinged, manic performance completely undermines the character’s commanding presence. The eighth sister, played by Hui Yinghong, displays remarkable martial prowess in action sequences, embodying the spirit of the Yang family’s female warriors. She and Yang Yande (played by Liu Jiahui) jointly confront Pan Renmei and the Liao forces. The coffin battle at the inn surpasses many martial arts dramas in design, showcasing a rare blend of iron horses and sturdy bridges.
The plot begins with Yang Yansu defeating Pan Bao in a martial arts tournament. Seeking vengeance for his son, Pan Renmei orchestrates a deadly ambush at Jinsha Beach, aiming to wipe out all male members of the Yang family. Collaborating with General Yelü of the Liao Dynasty, Pan Renmei sets a trap. Yang Ye crashes into the Li Ling Monument, killing himself. The Fourth Son is captured, the Fifth Son is gravely wounded and goes missing, the Sixth Son returns to Tianbo Mansion in a frenzy, and the remaining brothers meet tragic ends on the battlefield.
The Fifth Son was saved by a brave warrior who sacrificed himself. He later shaved his head and became a monk at Wutai Mountain. Finding the Yang family spear techniques too murderous, he devoted himself to transforming the spear into a staff, eventually creating the renowned Fifth Son’s Eight Trigrams Staff. The Master of Qingliang Temple came to Tianbo Manor to inform them of Wu Lang’s whereabouts, but was killed on the return journey while being pursued. The matriarch ordered the eighth sister to search for him using the dragon-headed staff and pendant, only to fall into an ambush at an inn. Only one person escaped to deliver a message to Wu Lang. The abbot personally led his followers to aid Wu Lang in rescuing the eighth daughter, slaying the Liao general and Pan Renmei in the process—thus avenging the Yang family’s blood feud. Yet Wu Lang, his mission fulfilled, resolved to retreat completely into monastic life and never return to the Yang residence in Tianbo.
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