During China's 1920s Republican Period, warlords carve out personal fiefdoms across the country and impose self-serving laws with the barrel of a gun. Into this anarchy rides a masked feminine Zorro, nom de guerre Violet, to do battle, right wrongs and foment rebellion against the most corrupt and brutal warlord of all, Tung Ta Chou. (Source: IMDb) Edit Translation
- English
- magyar / magyar nyelv
- עברית / עִבְרִית
- dansk
- Native Title: 烈日狂風野火
- Also Known As: Any Which Way You Punch , Duel Under the Burning Sun , Dragon Connection , Lie Ri Kuang Feng Ye Huo , 烈日狂风野火
- Genres: Action, Adventure, Historical, Drama
Cast & Credits
- Tien PengPai Tien HsingMain Role
- Angela MaoVioletMain Role
- Chang YiMaster WuMain Role
- Dorian Tan Tao LiangJen Hsiao FeiMain Role
- Lo LiehTa FuSupport Role
- Shih Ting Ken Support Role
Reviews
This review may contain spoilers
A Violet by any other name would still be as fierce!
Scorching Sun, Fierce Wind, Wild Fire boasted an all-star kung fu cast---Angela Mao, Chang Yi, Lo Lieh, Dorian “Flash Legs” Tan, and Roc Tien Peng. Despite a huge cast, most of them familiar Taiwanese film fighters, this made in Taiwan flick fell apart due to haphazard writing. Only an unlikely bromance saved this movie.You would never know this was set during the Chinese Republican Era by looking at it. The costumes for the most part could have been from almost any era used in kung fu movies. Guns were introduced at one point by government officials which brought it into the Republican era. A possibly 1960’s car in one scene took the audience too far forward in time!
This should have featured Angela Mao since she was Violet, the mysterious rebel leader always dressed in….violet…and with her face covered. Sadly, she was only able to shine in the final grand fights. Roc as a rebel leader from the south was rather lackluster in his scenes. Chang Yi is always a good baddie and he didn’t disappoint as Wu Chi, the traitorous head henchman for the local warlord. The best part of the movie for me, were Lo Lieh and Dorian Tan as two escaped prisoners. They formed a reluctant bromance that was both humorous and the most sincere relationship on the screen. I truly enjoyed their interactions and fights. Fights against each other and fights against the baddies.
The story revolved around the rebels and a missing treasure map. Roc had half of the map and the warlord had the other half. 100,000 bars of gold were the prize for whoever could gain both pieces. Honestly, that flimsy story was the excuse for people to fight from beginning to end. Some fights were better than others. Chang Yi was featured in a great many of them. Aside from a fight with Lo Lieh and Dorian against some bandits and officials only the final 20 minutes of fights were worthwhile. Dorian’s legs did most of the heavy lifting, kicking in the fights. Angela finally had some face time on screen during the final fights showing her fierceness. I should mention that the nefarious Wu had a poisoned knife that melted people-quite gruesome.
I have to mention that some of the music sounded like it was lifted from the original Star Wars movie. You never know what you will hear in an old kung fu film!
If you like the cast and Taiwanese kung fu films from the late ‘70s this is one to try out. Don’t expect to see too much of Angela, lower your expectations, and hi-yah!
11/18/22
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