There are plenty of whacky martial arts films out there including “Shaolin Soccer” and “Riki-Oh”. It’s hard to make a list when there are so many to choose from. Here is a selection of truly crazy martial arts movies.
- Game Of Death
After martial arts legend Bruce Lee (“Enter The Dragon”) died, attempts were made to cobble a film together using footage he already shot for a new movie. What we got was this total mess that utilises stock footage from earlier Lee films such as “The Way of the Dragon” as well as stand-ins and lots of other whacky tricks to try and fool you into thinking this is a genuine Bruce Lee movie. It’s never convincing as it’s so obvious what they are doing.
- The Legend of the 7 Golden Vampires
What do you get when you combine the kung-fu madness of Shaw Brothers with the gothic horror style of Hammer? You get this bizarre film that stars Peter Cushing (“Star Wars”) battling Dracula and his martial arts minions in China.
- Game Of Death II
It’s hard to top the ridiculousness of the first “Game Of Death” but this sequel manages it. Yet more dodgy tricks to make you think it’s a real Bruce Lee movie. However, this one also features a guy fighting what is meant to be a real lion but it’s clearly a guy in a bad costume.
- Infra-Man
Shaw Brothers made many crazy kung-fu movies but their crowning achievement is arguably “Infra-Man”. This is like “Ultraman” with a superhero battling lots of silly monsters with his martial arts skills. Very cheesy but very funny.
- The Dragon Lives Again
“The Dragon Lives Again” was one of countless ‘Bruceploitation’ films designed to cash-in on the popularity of Bruce Lee films after his death. This one sees Bruce Lee (or a guy playing him) join forces with Popeye to fight James Bond, Dracula and other famous film characters. It’s a complete mess from start to finish but where else can you see Popeye and Dracula in the same movie?