Five Deadly Venoms
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Five Deadly Venoms (originally titled Wu Du in Chinese) is a popular 1978 Hong Kong cult martial arts film directed by Chang Cheh. The film is considered to be an influential and important film in the genre. The five deadly venoms are The Centipede, The Snake, The Scorpion, The Lizard and The Toad. The film was listed at number 11 on Entertainment Weekly's Top 50 Cult Films list.
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[edit] Plot
The dying master of the powerful Poison Clan dispatches his last pupil on a crucial mission. Worried that the skills he has taught are being used to evil ends, he orders the Yan Tieh to trace a retired colleague and warn him that the fortune he amassed from the clan activities is under threat from five of his former pupils. Each an expert in his own lethal combat style, they comprise a truly invincible force. Yan must discover the whereabouts and true identities of these deadly masked warriors, and decide which, if any, he can trust to join him in his perilous mission.
[edit] Styles
Each of the Poison Clan is alternatively referred to as either their venom style code name, or as their number in regard to the order of being taught by the master. Note the exception of Yan, who is never referred to as "Number 6", nor as any particular animal style. Among fans, he is known as "Hybrid Venom," as his training contains a little bit of each of the five styles.
Number 1: Centipede Wriggly and quick, this style is a nice blend of defensive and offensive posturing. The strikes are so fast that it is almost as if he has a hundred arms and legs.
Number 2: Snake The snake represents a double threat! On one hand: the mouth, venomous fangs emulated in precise fingular motor control. On the other: the stinging whip of a rattling tail. Masters of this ability can even fight extremely well while laying on their back from the floor.
Number 3: Scorpion Kicks from the Scorpion style are just like the stinging tail of the namesake. When delivered by a master, a single kick can paralyze or even kill, let alone the strong pincer-style attack of the arms to contend with.
Number 4: Lizard An emphasis on speed and gravity, the Lizard style is best known for the ability to walk on walls, and can fight with ease from such positions.
Number 5: Toad Toads don't do much, but they are tough. That is the essence of this style, a primarily defensive pose. The Toad is invincible to just about any form of attack, including blades and puncture. They can even bend solid metal.
[edit] Cast
- Kuo Chiu - Lizard
- Chiang Sheng - The young Student
- Lu Feng - Centipede
- Lo Mang - Toad
- Sun Chien - Scorpion
- Wei Pei - Snake
- Wang Lung Wei - The Judge
[edit] Trivia
- Torture device made famous from this movie: Iron Maiden
- Quote made famous from this movie: "Poison clan rocks the world!"
- Inspired a soda commercial.
- Several sound quotes sampled and used in raps by Wu-Tang Clan. The most famous example of this is at the beginning of Da Mystery of Chessboxin'.
- Inspired another martial arts film, "Return of the Five Deadly Venoms" which had nothing to do with the original.
- The "snake" role was originally intended for a woman.
- An empty poison shop is hidden in the city of Stormwind in the popular game World of Warcraft, with a sign labeled "Five Deadly Venoms".
- The NYC Hardcore band Merauder took the name "Five Deadly Venoms" for their 2nd album.
