The Deadly Mantis (1978 film)

Shaolin Mantis

Directed by	Lau Kar-leung
Starring	David Chiang Lily Li Norman Tsui Lau Kar Wing
Distributed by	Shaw Brothers Studio
Release dates	1978 (1978)
Running time	96 minutes
Country	Hong Kong
Language	Mandarin

Shaolin Mantis (螳螂) (Orig. Tang lang) is a 1978 Shaw Brothers film directed by Lau Kar-leung, starring David Chiang and Liu Chia Hui.

Plot

Wei Fung (David Chiang), a young scholar recruited by the Emperor to infiltrate a group of rebels in the Tien Clan in order to get evidence of the clan's connection to Ming loyalists, the rebel spy network and anti-Ching activities. If Wei fails in his mission, his own well-connected family will be punished.

Wei Fung encounters Tien Chi-Chi (Huang Hsin-Hsiu aka Wong Hang Sau), the granddaughter of the leader of the rebel group. When he is hired as Chi-Chi's new instructor he realizes this is his best opportunity to infiltrate the rebel clan. Events become complicated when Chi-Chi begins to fall in love with Wei Fung at the same time that her grandfather's spies discover Wei Fung's true motives for seeking them out. When Chi-Chi learns that Wei Fung is about to be assassinated she pleads for his life. Grandfather Tien (Lau Kar Wing), unwilling to cause his granddaughter heartbreak, relents and decides that if Chi-Chi can persuade Wei Fung to marry her and never leave their family's villa, he will be allowed to live. If he refuses he will be killed on the spot.

Back at the Emperor's court, the Emperor praises Wei Fung and his father for Wei Fung's success in eliminating an entire rebel nest and exposing their spy network. When the Emperor offers up a toast, Wei Fung's father poisons both his and his son's cup of wine. As soon as Wei Fung drinks from the cup, his father proudly proclaims his allegiance to the rebels. A shocked Wei Fung turns to his father who explains that Wei Fung has in fact helped a tyrant kill heroes working to overthrow his diabolical regime. Wei Fung's father dies as soldiers come to protect their emperor before Wei Fung can kill him. The film ends in freeze frame with Wei Fung fighting the emperor's elite royal bodyguards.

External links

Tang lang at the Internet Movie Database

Films directed by Lau Kar-leung

Challenge of the Masters (1976)
Dirty Ho (1976)
Executioners from Shaolin (1977)
The 36th Chamber of Shaolin (1978)
The Deadly Mantis (1978)
Heroes of the East (1978)
Deadly Strike (1978)
Mad Monkey Kung Fu (1979)
Return to the 36th Chamber (1980)
My Young Auntie (1981)
Martial Club (1981)
Legendary Weapons of China (1982)
Cat vs Rat (1982)
Lady Is the Boss (1983)
The Eight Diagram Pole Fighter (1984)
Disciples of the 36th Chamber (1985)
Martial Arts of Shaolin (1986)
Tiger on Beat (1988)
Aces Go Places 5: The Terracotta Hit (1989)
Drunken Master II (1994)
Drunken Master III (1994)
Drunken Monkey (2003)

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