Though his acting career was cut short following his untimely death,Alexander Fu Sheng is still remembered for the memorable kung fu films he appeared in. As a teenager, Fu Sheng applied to the Shaw Brothers Drama School and signed a 3-5 year contract with the production studio, soon becoming one of the many reoccurring actors to appear in Shaw Brothers films. Frequent collaborators throughout Fu Sheng’s career include director Chang Cheh, the Shaw Brothers, and martial arts choreographer Lau Kar-leung.
Each person helped Fu Sheng foster his skills as an actor and a martial artist. The best of Fu Sheng’s kung fu films demonstratethe quality of his skill and the potential he had to build a careercomparable tosomeone like Jackie Chan. Fu Sheng was never able to reach the career heights of moviemartial artists like Bruce Lee. Still, film critics and directors have made comparisons between the two after Fu Sheng’s death — noting that his youthful star power will continue to inspire audiences discovering his work for the first time.
Based on the wuxia novel,The Seven Heroes and Five Gallants,Cat Vs. Ratis an excitingfilm that blends comedy and martial arts. The film gets its name from the given nicknames of its main characters — Zin Ciu, a.k.a. “Royal Cat” (Adam Cheng), and Baak Juktong, a.k.a. “Brocade-Coated Rat” (Fu Sheng). Given the nicknames by the emperor, Fu Sheng’s character grows increasingly jealous of his longtime rival and plans to embarrass him in front of the emperor.
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Admittedly, the beginning ofCat Vs. Ratis repetitive as Cheng and Fu Sheng’s characters are seen constantly going after one another. However,the film is still fun and hassome impressive bits of martial arts choreographyspread throughout. Fu Sheng is playful on screen and his competitive relationship with Cheng’s character is nearly impossible not to become invested in.
Fu Sheng stars inLife Gamblealongside fellow Shaw Brothers regulars like Wang Lung-wei, Kara Wai Ying-hung, and Kuo Chui. The latter appears in the film as Qiu Zi Yu,a blacksmith who recently retired from making various weapons for kung fu experts. However, Zi Yu is put back to work when a variety of characters are after a stolen jade heirloom. One of these characters is Fu Sheng’s Yun Xiang, a knife-throwing expert.
Life Gambleis full of fascinating characterswho aren’t fully trustworthy as they hold ulterior motives and are willing to put their lives on the line for the heirloom. As a result, it’s easy to get lost inLife Gamble’s action at times, but attentive viewers are rewarded with a well-choreographed, brisk showdown that puts Zi Yu’s crafted weapons to use in inventive ways.
Famed martial arts choreographer Lau Kar-leung often collaborated with director Chang Cheh, with one of their last collaborations beingDisciples of Shaolin, starring Fu Sheng.Disciples of Shaolinis a tragic rags-to-riches story about Fu Sheng’s Guan Feng Yi. Starting as an average textile factory worker, Guan Feng Yi quickly rises to the ranks by defeating workers of rival factories. However, Guan Feng Yi’s newfound success is not what it seems.
Fu Sheng is the driving force of much of the film and has audiences' eyes glued to the screen in a bloody confrontation at the end.
Fu Sheng is great inDisciples of Shaolin. Both his acting and martial arts skills are highlighted in the film, showing a promising future for the actor.Fu Sheng is the driving force of much of the film and has audiences' eyes glued to the screenin a bloody confrontation at the end. Much ofDisciples of Shaolin’s remaining action is subtle, which pairs well with the film’s clever commentary on the treatment of the working class.
Directed by Cheh Chang,Shaolin Martial Artssees a group of students working to defend their martial arts school against those who wish to destroy it. Fu Sheng stars in the film as Li Yao, one of the students, alongside Gordon Liu and Chi Kuan-chun. ThoughShaolin Martial Artshas a runtime of nearly two hours,the film builds momentum in a way that keeps audiences' attention.
The students are sent to train with a martial arts master to perfect their skills, so they can effectively defeat their enemies. The training sequences are creative and engaging, as audiences can see the student’s progress throughout the film.
When it comes time to show off their skills during the film’s anticipated confrontation,Shaolin Martial Artsturns into an entertaining, violent showcase thathighlights the actors' skills as martial artists. Fu Sheng’s performance in the film doesn’t stand out much from the rest of his filmography, but it’s easily on par with his best.
Acting asthe sequel to the 1977 filmThe Sentimental Swordsman,Return of the Sentimental Swordsmanbecame one of the Shaw Brothers' highest-growing films and exceeded the original’s numbers.Return of the Sentimental Swordsmansees Ti Lung and Fu Sheng reuniting after films likeTen Tigers from KwangtungandThe Avenging Eagle. This time, the actors are on-screen enemies, with Fu Sheng’s Jing Wuming interested in defeating Ti Lung’s Li Xunhuan, an acclaimed fighter.
Fu Sheng shows he has range as an actor inReturn of the Sentimental Swordsman.Typically a charismatic, heroic lead, Fu Sheng is wonderfully villainousin the wuxia film. Additionally,Return of the Sentimental Swordsmanis packed with convincing performances, one of which is Ku Feng as Shangguan Jinhong, the on-screen adoptive father of Fu Sheng’s character, and the leader of the ruthless Money Clan who wishes to dethrone Li Xunhuan.
At the start of his kung fu film career, Fu Sheng madehis first on-screen appearanceas Fang Shi-yu in the filmHeroes Two. The actor put his recent kung fu training with Lau Kar-leung to good use and made a big impact in the film.Heroes Twobegins with Fang Shi-yu and Hung Si-kuan (Chen Kuan Tai) being pitted against one another after the former is tricked into believing Hung Si-kuan is a bandit.
The misguided betrayal by Fang Shi-yu acts as a strong emotional force that compels audiences to become invested in the film’s narrative and motivates the film’s characters to redirect their focus on defeating the Manchurian army.Fu Sheng excels in the action scenes withinHeroes Twobut has also earned critical praisefor his portrayal of Fang Shi-yu. Fu Sheng’s allure inHeroes Twohelped the film grow into a critical and commercial success.
Shaolin Templeisn’t a perfect martial arts film, but its few flaws don’t minimize its overall excitement.The film is centered on a Shaolin Templethat is preparing to face members of the Qing dynasty. Fu Sheng stars in the film as Fang Shih-Yu, a semi-fictional Chinese folk hero.
In the film, Fang is accepted into the temple and begins training. Much of the film is spent on training sequences, but likeShaolin Martial Arts,these sequences are set up in a way that effectively builds on the excitement leading to the ultimate showdown.
Many critical and audience reviews of the film stateShaolin Templecould benefit from a slightly shorter runtime and a more focused narrative that doesn’t alternate as frequently between supporting characters. Still, Fu Sheng gives a great performance in the film as a frustrated student who gradually transforms into a skilled fighter.
InChinatown Kid, Fu Sheng joins the famous Venom Mob, a group of actors who found fame after starring inFive Deadly Venoms, in a story about rival gangs. In the film,Fu Sheng plays Tan Tung, a martial arts street fighterwho finds himself joining a powerful gang in San Francisco, led by the White Dragon boss (Philip Kwok). LikeDisciples of Shaolina few years earlier, Fu Sheng’s role inChinatown Kidis mature, and at times, dark.
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As a result, Fu Sheng got to prove his skills as a performer beyond his physicality and martial arts skills — which are still on full display inChinatown Kid. Having already gained some international attention for previous films,Fu Sheng earned more recognition in other parts of the world, including the United States, following his work inChinatown Kid. The film became a cult classic within the country, and many felt it made subtle commentary on Chinese American works and the illusion of the American Dream.
The Avenging Eagle
Cast
The Avenging Eagle is a martial arts classic where honor and vengeance collide. The film follows an assassin seeking redemption from his clan’s brutal ways, teaming up with a rogue warrior to dismantle the very organization that made him. Their journey is filled with action-packed battles and a quest for personal liberation.
The Avenging Eagleis among thebest films produced by the Shaw Brothers Studioand seesTi Lung and Fu Sheng teaming upto take down a common enemy.Ti Lung stars in the film as an ex-member of a powerful group of bandits known as the Iron Boat Clan. Following his departure from the clan, Ti Lung’s character is hunted by the group’s leader and comes across a family member of one of their victims, Fu Sheng’s Cheuk Yi-fan.
The story inThe Avenging Eagleisone of the more compelling and well-written examples of Fu Sheng’s filmography.
The story inThe Avenging Eagleisone of the more compelling and well-written examples of Fu Sheng’s filmography, as audiences are likely to be invested in how the two men will overcome their complicated history. Much of the intrigue is helped by Fu Sheng’s chemistry with Ti Lung.The two actors are well-matched both in the chaos of the film’s action scenes and in the quieter momentsas the two open up to one another about their troubled pasts.
Based onThe Generals of the Yang Family, a collection of stories about the historical Song dynasty,The Eight Diagram Pole Fightertells the story of a family’s downfall at the hands of their enemies. The film’s Yang family is made up of seven sons; the sixth is Yeung Chiu, played by Fu Sheng.
The Eight Diagram Pole Fighter(1984) has an 86% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
The martial arts actor is supported by a range of talented performers, including Kara Hui, Hsiao Ho, and Gordon Liu, who delivers an especially powerful performance. Unfortunately,Fu Sheng died in a car accident before the filming ofThe Eight Diagram Pole Fighterwas complete, and he is missing from the film’s intense final showdown.
Still, Fu Sheng makes an impact within the film, showcasing the emotional effects of the ambush on his family. The film rarely slows down and is full of captivating, relentless action and violence, brought together by the collaborative effort of the actors and the direction and fight choreography by Lau Kar-leung.
