HKCuk.co.uk - Eastern Condors

12 Prisoners are sent to Vietnam to destroy a Vietnamese missile base and retrieve Cornel Yeung-Foo’s brother Yeung Lung, if they succeed they have their prison sentences wiped clean and are given £200,000 each. Is it that easy? No, the film is set during the Vietnam War, so the place is crawling with Vietcong’s (aka; Vietnamese Soldiers). Lieutenant Lam (Lam Ching-Ying) is in charge of the group of Prisoners and does his best to make sure this mission is successful.

Tung Ming Sun (Sammo Hung) is treated as the leader from the prison group. His bulky figure is just a cover, because he manages to show off some excellent acrobatic ness and seems to be respected by his fellow cellmates. He seems harmless too unless you give him some coconut leafs (don’t ask, just watch!).

Judy Wu (Corey Yuen Kwai) aka Smokey! Every time you see this big fella he always has an unlit cigarette in his mouth. The reason he does this is because he lost a friend through smoking and this is way of remembering him. Its rather amusing to see Judy appear from under the water, after escaping from a water prison still with the cigarette, clutched in his mouth.

Szeto Chin (Charlie Chin) is the playboy of the group, he attempts to use his good looks and charm against the female Cambodian Guerrilla’s who has been ordered to help the group. Szeto seems to be the big cowboy of the film walking around with a cowboy hat, the same color as army combats. He even exits the film running around with two big guns blazing.

Stuttering Keung (Fung Lee), poor Keung for having one of the shortest roles in the film he seems to be the most memorable. His stammer causes him to be made fun of in the film. Sadly enough his stammer leads to his exit in the film, also being the first person to ‘leave’ the team as well.

Ma Puk-Kau (Peter Chan Lung) seems to be friendly, but his character doesn’t really get the chance to shine, although he smokes American cigarettes and he’s nicked ‘Onion Head’ I think for his rather round shaped head.

Yun Yen-Hay (Yuen Woo-Ping) is the eldest of the group, often nicknamed ‘Grandpa’ by the young prisoners. He claims to spend his $200,000 on his daughter and his ‘girl’ although he isn’t married. He seems subtle, but amusing with some funny facial expressions.

The Ching Brothers, Dai-Hoi (Billy Lau) and Dai-Kong (Cheung Kwok Keung). Both in prison for armed robbery. Dai-Kong being the brains of the group. Dai-Hoi is the more ‘loud’ brother; mostly telling off his little brother for out smarting him or even if someone talks down to him or his brother.

There is another couple prisoners, but this will make the review last for years...

Once landing in Vietnam them are met by a group of Cambodian Guerrilla's (the leader of the group is played by Joyce Godenzi, aka Mrs. Sammo Hung). Also whilst looking for Yueng Lung they meet Chieh (Yuen Biao), Aka Ratty. Chieh is looking after Lung, knowing that Yueng Lung knows the location of some hidden treasure. But Ratty's part time job is a Importer! Bringing all foreign goods to the towns people, but for a price of course.

The lead Vietcong General (Yuen Wah) is a mean, mean bastard. His look makes him look like a stick. But trust this guy will snap you if you get on his wrong side. He first comes into the film when he finds the corpse of one of his under cover spies, left they the prisoners. This character is ruthless. Tung Ming Sun and Chieh mange to battle against him, but they mainly feel his wrath! The lead General wouldn't be the bad guy with out his henchmen...Billy Chow, Dick Wei & Yasuaki Kurata. The battles between these henchmen and the remain prisoners are truly memorable. The fights go like this; Sammo Hung vs. Billy Chow, Yuen Biao vs. Kurata, Yuen Biao vs. Dick Wei....Yuen Biao vs. BOTH Dick and Kurata!!

Two of the other familiar faces are Wu Ma and Philip Ko. Both playing solders who come across the prisoners during the film.

Ok, Ok I can tell your fed up of reading this review, but Eastern Condors is a all time favorite Sammo movie. I even bought the film half price which makes it even better. So I'll stop now and Let you all read my Highlights of the film.

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	Eastern Condors Director: Sammo Hung Producer: Leonard Ho Action Director (s): Sammo Hung, Yuen Biao, Corey Yuen Kwai & Lam Ching-Ying 12 Prisoners are sent to Vietnam to destroy a Vietnamese missile base and retrieve Cornel Yeung-Foo’s brother Yeung Lung, if they succeed they have their prison sentences wiped clean and are given £200,000 each. Is it that easy? No, the film is set during the Vietnam War, so the place is crawling with Vietcong’s (aka; Vietnamese Soldiers). Lieutenant Lam (Lam Ching-Ying) is in charge of the group of Prisoners and does his best to make sure this mission is successful. Tung Ming Sun (Sammo Hung) is treated as the leader from the prison group. His bulky figure is just a cover, because he manages to show off some excellent acrobatic ness and seems to be respected by his fellow cellmates. He seems harmless too unless you give him some coconut leafs (don’t ask, just watch!). Judy Wu (Corey Yuen Kwai) aka Smokey! Every time you see this big fella he always has an unlit cigarette in his mouth. The reason he does this is because he lost a friend through smoking and this is way of remembering him. Its rather amusing to see Judy appear from under the water, after escaping from a water prison still with the cigarette, clutched in his mouth. Szeto Chin (Charlie Chin) is the playboy of the group, he attempts to use his good looks and charm against the female Cambodian Guerrilla’s who has been ordered to help the group. Szeto seems to be the big cowboy of the film walking around with a cowboy hat, the same color as army combats. He even exits the film running around with two big guns blazing. Stuttering Keung (Fung Lee), poor Keung for having one of the shortest roles in the film he seems to be the most memorable. His stammer causes him to be made fun of in the film. Sadly enough his stammer leads to his exit in the film, also being the first person to ‘leave’ the team as well. Ma Puk-Kau (Peter Chan Lung) seems to be friendly, but his character doesn’t really get the chance to shine, although he smokes American cigarettes and he’s nicked ‘Onion Head’ I think for his rather round shaped head. Yun Yen-Hay (Yuen Woo-Ping) is the eldest of the group, often nicknamed ‘Grandpa’ by the young prisoners. He claims to spend his $200,000 on his daughter and his ‘girl’ although he isn’t married. He seems subtle, but amusing with some funny facial expressions. The Ching Brothers, Dai-Hoi (Billy Lau) and Dai-Kong (Cheung Kwok Keung). Both in prison for armed robbery. Dai-Kong being the brains of the group. Dai-Hoi is the more ‘loud’ brother; mostly telling off his little brother for out smarting him or even if someone talks down to him or his brother. There is another couple prisoners, but this will make the review last for years... Once landing in Vietnam them are met by a group of Cambodian Guerrilla's (the leader of the group is played by Joyce Godenzi, aka Mrs. Sammo Hung). Also whilst looking for Yueng Lung they meet Chieh (Yuen Biao), Aka Ratty. Chieh is looking after Lung, knowing that Yueng Lung knows the location of some hidden treasure. But Ratty's part time job is a Importer! Bringing all foreign goods to the towns people, but for a price of course. The lead Vietcong General (Yuen Wah) is a mean, mean bastard. His look makes him look like a stick. But trust this guy will snap you if you get on his wrong side. He first comes into the film when he finds the corpse of one of his under cover spies, left they the prisoners. This character is ruthless. Tung Ming Sun and Chieh mange to battle against him, but they mainly feel his wrath! The lead General wouldn't be the bad guy with out his henchmen...Billy Chow, Dick Wei & Yasuaki Kurata. The battles between these henchmen and the remain prisoners are truly memorable. The fights go like this; Sammo Hung vs. Billy Chow, Yuen Biao vs. Kurata, Yuen Biao vs. Dick Wei....Yuen Biao vs. BOTH Dick and Kurata!! Two of the other familiar faces are Wu Ma and Philip Ko. Both playing solders who come across the prisoners during the film. Ok, Ok I can tell your fed up of reading this review, but Eastern Condors is a all time favorite Sammo movie. I even bought the film half price which makes it even better. So I'll stop now and Let you all read my Highlights of the film. Highlights The Cast (12 prisoners) Yuen Wah's Character Poor Stuttering Keungs exit Charlie chin's exit Yuen Biao's slow-mo real impact kicks! Corey Yuen Kwai and Yuen Woo-Ping's exit Biao vs. Dick Wei Biao vs. Kurata Sammo vs. Billy Chow Sammo vs. Yuen Wah Yuen Biao mock Yuen Wah's giggle Yuen Biao getting his ass kicked by Yuen Wah! Rating: 9.4 out 10.0