The Super Inframan
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The Super Inframan (中國超人) (Mandarin: Zhong Guo Chao Ren, Cantonese: Jung Gwok Chiu Yan - literally "Chinese Superman") is a Hong Kong tokusatsu-style superhero movie produced by Shaw Brothers Studio in 1975. Based upon the huge success of the Japanese tokusatsu shows, Ultraman and Kamen Rider, in Hong Kong, this film features the same type of "henshin" action and costumed derring-do, coupled with Chinese kung fu action. This was China's first original modern superhero movie.
This film also has some historical importance:
- The first superhero movie in China
- The first movie promotion in Hong Kong using a hot air balloon
- The first Shaw Brothers production using a storyboard
The film was directed by Hua Shan, written by science fiction writer Ni Kuang, produced by Runme Shaw and the cinematography was by Tadashi Nishimoto (as Lan Shan Ho). There was a little help from Japan, also; Music from Ultra Seven (1967) and Mirrorman (1971) (both composed by Toru Fuyuki) is used here. And the Inframan/Science Headquarters/monster costumes were provided by Ekisu Productions, which had done costumes for many Toei Superhero shows of the same period. The film also starred Danny Lee as the superhero himself, and Bruceploitation star Bruce Le in a supporting role (He still got to display some of his martial art skills in one scene of the film).
The following year, Joseph Brenner brought this film to the US, and retitled it simply Infra-Man (or Inframan), upon Ultraman's success on American syndicated television at the time.
MSN Movies ranks The Super Inframan as the seventh best superhero movie to date, behind X-Men, Batman Returns, Spider-Man, The Incredibles, Superman II, and Darkman.[1]
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[edit] The plot
The Demon Princess Elzebub plots to conquer the Earth. She destroys a few major cities in Hong Kong to prove her power to a terror-stricken humanity. Returning to her lair in Inner-Earth, she awakens her army of Skeleton Ghosts and her various Ice Monsters to wreak havoc. But there is hope . . .
The high-tech Science Headquarters, run by Professor Liu Ying De. In view of the current crisis, he has at long last completed and is prepared to use the BDX Project: In the HQ's secret laboratory, he transforms Lei Ma, a high-ranking SH officer, into the bionic kung fu superhero, the Inframan! Able to perform impossible feats, as well as being equipped with death-dealing weapons, the solar-powered red & silver armored Inframan is mankind's only hope against Elzebub and her army of devils.
[edit] Characters
[edit] The Protagonists
- Lei Ma/Inframan (雷馬/中国超人) The hero. Played by Danny Lee (as Li Hsiu Hsien)
- Professor Liu Ying De (劉英徳) Propietor of Science Headquarters, and the inventor of the Inframan. Played by Wang Hsieh
- Mei Mei (美美) The Professor's daughter. Played by Yuen Man Chi
- Xiao Hu (小虎) Mei Mei's younger brother.
- Lin Lin (琳琳) Mei Mei's little sister.
- Zhu Qi Guang (朱啓光) The lieutenant of Science Headquarters.
- Lu Xiao Long (呂小龍) The seargent of Science Headquarters, and a tough fighter. Played by Bruce Le
- Zhu Ming (祝明) The awkward member of Science Headquarters, who is captured and turned by Elzebub into an evil spy. Played by Lam Man Wai
[edit] The Antagonists
- Demon Princess Elzebub (冰河魔主) The main villainess, ruler of Inner-Earth. Armed with a whip, and can turn into a winged dragon creature. Her name is a pun on "Beelzebub".
- Played by Terry Lau Wai Yue
- Witch Eye (電眼魔女) Elzebub's beautiful but deadly servant. Has a horned helmet and eyes on her palms that shoot green beams (hypnotic or destructive).
- Skeleton Ghosts (白骨幽靈) The obligatory generic henchmen (cannon fodder). Dressed in black and white skeleton suits and wear horned crash helmets. They also carry staffs.
[edit] Ice Monsters (冰河怪獸)
- Fire Dragon (噴火龍)
- Spider Monster (蜘蛛怪)
- Plant Monster (植物怪)
- Drill Arm (穿山怪)
- Horned Witch Demon (長髮怪)
- Armored Coil Knights (鐵甲怪)
[edit] The Powers of Inframan
Lei Ma throws his arms into a Kamen Rider-like "henshin" pose, and says:
- "Change! Inframan!" (變！超人) (Mandarin: "Bian! Chao Ren", Cantonese: "Bin! Chiu Yan")
His powers & attacks are (Mandarin/Cantonese):
- 噴火彈 (Pen Huo Dan/Pan Fo Daan) Erupting Bullet(s)
- The missiles stored below Inframan's ribs. He throws them like darts, and they can also thaw him out when he's frozen.
- 太陽甲 (Tai Yang Jia/Taai Yeung Gaap) Solar Armor (AKA: Sun Ja)
- The stream of light that Inframan shoots from his wrist (when crossing them together like Ultraman's Spacium Light Ray).
- 追魂腿 (Zhui Hun Tui/Jeui Wan Teui) Guided Kick (literally "Chase Soul Leg")
- Inframan's kick attack; This can also locate its targeted enemy like a guided missile.
- 能量發揮 (Neng Liang Fa Hui/Nang Leung Faat Fai) Capacity Transmission (literally "Capacity Quantity Emit Direct")
- Inframan activates his backup power source, in case of lack of solar power.
- 閃電拳 (Shan Dian Quan/Sim Din Kyun) Flashing Thunder Fists (AKA: Thunder Fists, Thunderball Fists)
- Later attachments for Inframan; Shiny black & metallic gloves that go over his regular ones. They also shoot right off his fists (to shatter its enemy) and retract again (much like Mazinger Z's Rocket Punch). They also have the following weapons:
- 死光刀 (Si Guang Dao/Sei Gwong Dou) Deadly Light Blades
- The red moon-shaped energy blades that stream from the Flashing Thunder Fists.
- 雷電光 (Lei Dian Guang/Leui Din Gwong) Thunder & Lighting Aura
- Like the Solar Armor, but more bold and powerful.
- 死光刀 (Si Guang Dao/Sei Gwong Dou) Deadly Light Blades
- Later attachments for Inframan; Shiny black & metallic gloves that go over his regular ones. They also shoot right off his fists (to shatter its enemy) and retract again (much like Mazinger Z's Rocket Punch). They also have the following weapons:
- Inframan also has the amazing power to grow to giant size.
