Devil and Angel (1973)

This devil in blue jeans knows how to kick!

Devil and Angel is a classic kung fu revenge movie. The action runs almost non-stop even when the logic runs out.

Lo Lieh joins a heist gang to gain enough money to marry his sweetheart. Instead of instant wealth, he’s set-up and lands in jail. Upon exiting jail, he rejoins his girl and plots his revenge against the men who hung him out to dry.

That’s it and probably more plot than a lot of kung fu films. Lo Lieh carries this film with his charisma and athleticism. I was happy to see him in the, if not good guy role, a not completely bad guy role. He also directed and co-wrote the script. If he were still alive, I would like to ask him about that WTF ending.

Many of the standard kung fu guys populated the screen. It was fun to see Tien Feng, Wu Ma, and Fong Yau in street clothes instead of wigs and historical wear. The fights were solid and entertaining, choreographed by Lau Kar Wing and Chan Chuen. Before Capt. America exited as the only man standing from an elevator full of baddies, Lo Lieh did it in 1973.

For a low budget kung fu flick, it was put together fairly well. There was plenty of generic ‘70s music, lots of bow chicka wow wow guitar action, even a rock ‘n roll band at one point. Lo Lieh made good use of the city for stalking and fights with old school overlays. That doesn’t mean there weren’t plenty of cringey campy scenes, including a slow car chase through a parking garage and the hills outside the city. But with this type of film they are to be expected.

Given the constraints, not a bad first directorial effort for Lo Lieh although I did ding his score for that ridiculous ending. As always, I grade these old, niche movies on a curve. This type of movie is only for hardcore fans of the genre.

11/12/22

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