Shui quan guai zhao (1979)

SLEEPING FIST (1978) is a fast-paced collection of small-scale fight scenes guided by a trio of expert kung fu performers assisted by a talented and precocious young boy. The story is slight, but the fight scenes are plentiful--and mixed with some welcome humor--and the cast a joy to watch in action, particularly the delightful `Drunken Master' himself, Simon Yuen.

Leung Kar Yan plays an undercover constable in old China out to apprehend a powerful criminal played by Eddy Ko. The wounded Leung is helped by a rambunctious orphan boy called `the Kid' (Wong Yat Lung) and the two soon hook up with a reclusive old kung fu master, `Old Fox,' played by Simon Yuen, who heals Leung and teaches advanced kung fu to the two, giving Leung special instruction in a series of `sleeping' techniques. The heroes befriend a local girl (O Yang Lin-Lung) and get lots of practice fighting off bullies who are constantly hitting on her or trying to force her into prostitution. It all culminates in a big showdown with Eddy Ko and his men at Old Fox's humble country cottage. One amusing touch is Leung's clever use of the "Sleeping Fairy" move.

The fight scenes are frequent and well-staged, with the emphasis on furious and intricate hand-to-hand combat, although Simon uses his walking stick to great advantage. The training scenes are also fun to watch, particularly those involving the Kid, whose contortionist skills are quite impressive. Otherwise, the film is extremely low-budget, with a relatively small cast and shooting limited to a couple of countryside locations and one village street.

Simon Yuen (patriarch of the famous Yuen Clan) made this film in the wake of the success of DRUNKEN MASTER and DANCE OF THE DRUNK MANTIS (both 1978), in both of which he played the archetypal Drunken Master, i.e. master of drunken-style boxing. Both `Drunk' films were directed by Simon's son Yuen Wo Ping. Another son doubles the elderly star in long shot for his more strenuous leaps and kicks.

Leung Kar Yan (aka Liang Chia-Jen) was a fixture of 1970s kung fu films and a favorite of many directors (including Sammo Hung) because he was a quick study at picking up moves in a variety of styles. Eddy Ko was a frequent and reliable villain. SLEEPING FIST was followed by the equally exciting THUNDERING MANTIS, which reunited Leung and the child actor seen here, Wong Yat Lung, along with Ko repeating his bad guy duties. Both films were directed by Yip Wing Tsui.