Five Venoms films
by Mighty_Emperor | created - 30 Oct 2011 | updated - 12 Nov 2011 | PublicKung-fu films that feature a decent percentage of the Five Venoms (to be a contender it needs 3 or more of the 6, yes I know, confusing but Wei Pai/Snake was one of the 5 Venoms in the film but doesn't usually appear in the Venoms' films. I will note a few examples with only 2 of the core Venoms). All but one are directed by Chang Cheh and they are all from the Shaw Brothers. Anything else is a cheap cash-in and, to be honest, some of the ones on the list might also be but you'll have to judge that for yourself.
List order: We include a few proto-Venom films in which the team started to coalesce before the Five Deadly Venoms films and then, following that films success, the appearance of members of the group in other films often using a similar formula (with the same actors playing similar roles). As the films came thick and fast I've also noted the release dates (at least according to IMDB, some sources vary) - HK ones unless otherwise noted.
Further reading: Venom Filmography.
Key:
Centipede - Lu Feng
Snake - Wei Pai
Scorpion - Sun Chien
Lizard - Kuo Chui/Philip Kwok
Toad - Lo Meng
Last Student - Chiang Sheng
- Instant Watch Options
- Genres
- Movies or TV
- IMDb Rating
- In Theaters
- Release Year
- Keywords
1. Five Deadly Venoms (1978)
R | 101 min | Action, Drama, Mystery
The sixth and final pupil of a dying martial arts teacher is instructed to find the teacher's five former pupils and defeat any evil ones that are among them.
Director: Cheh Chang | Stars: Sheng Chiang, Chien Sun, Phillip Chung-Fung Kwok, Meng Lo
Votes: 7,973
Just sticking this at the top to get the picture as the list's thumbnail.
The list starts with the next entry:
2. Marco Polo (1975)
R | 103 min | Action, Adventure, Biography
Four friends learn kung fu to avenge the death of their friend against the manchus.
Director: Cheh Chang | Stars: Sheng Fu, Kuan-Chun Chi, Szu Shih, Richard Harrison
Votes: 365
aka Marco Polo
Centipede, Lizard and Last Student (3/6)
The first of the proto-Venom films, with the first three Venoms coming together but often in very minor (and sometimes uncredited) roles.
Release: 25 December 1975
3. The Shaolin Avengers (1976)
97 min | Action, Drama
The famous story of the Shaolin Temple's betrayal by the White-Browed Hermit, and the subsequent revenge by Shaolin firebrand Fang Shih-yu.
Director: Cheh Chang | Stars: Sheng Fu, Kuan-Chun Chi, Yen-Tsan Tang, Chi-Chin Ma
Votes: 325
aka Shaolin Avengers
Centipede, Lizard and Last Student (3/6).
Release: 18 June 1976
4. Cai li fa xiao zi (1976)
PG-13 | 96 min | Action, Drama
International favorite Alexander Fu Sheng cemented his stardom in this, the fourth film in his esteemed director's "Shaolin" series. Fu gives both a great dramatic and kung-fu performance ... See full summary »
Directors: Cheh Chang, Wu Ma | Stars: Sheng Fu, Jenny Tseng, Hsia Hui Wu, Lung-Wei Wang
Votes: 261
aka New Shaolin Boxers
Centipede, Lizard and Last Student (3/6).
Release: 3 September 1976
5. Shaolin Temple (1976)
Not Rated | 126 min | Action
The Shaolin Temple is the last place to resist defeat by the Manchu Dynasty, mostly because of their unique fighting style. Men from far and wide come to wait outside the temple, hoping ... See full summary »
Directors: Cheh Chang, Wu Ma | Stars: Sheng Fu, Kuan-Chun Chi, Lung Ti, David Chiang
Votes: 1,378
aka Shaolin Temple
Centipede, Lizard, Toad and Last Student (4/6) - Toad joins the team.
Release: 22 December 1976
6. Hai jun tu ji dui (1977)
112 min | Action, Drama, War
The story of a seemingly suicidal mission to destroy the Japanese Navy's flagship in 1937.
Directors: Cheh Chang, Wei-Bin Liu, Hsueh-Li Pao, Wu Ma | Stars: Tony Liu, Kuan-Chun Chi, Lung Ti, Sheng Fu
Votes: 80
Centipede, Lizard, Toad and Last Student (4/6).
Release: 7 April 1977
7. Magnificent Wanderers (1977)
Not Rated | 94 min | Action, Adventure, Comedy
Wealthy rebel Chu Tie Xia/Chu Te-Sa, conned out of assets by local merchants, is aided by 3 wandering con artists. Chu's talent with a bow and gold pellets and the Wushu of his 3 new companions unleash on the unsuspecting invading Mongols.
Director: Cheh Chang | Stars: Sheng Fu, David Chiang, Kuan-Chun Chi, Yi-Min Li
Votes: 139
aka Magnificent Wanderers
Centipede, Lizard and Last Student (3/6).
Release: 27 May 1977
8. The Brave Archer (1977)
PG-13 | 127 min | Action, Drama, Fantasy
A young man must complete a series of martial art tests and overcome assassins along the way.
Director: Cheh Chang | Stars: Sheng Fu, Niu Tien, Danny Lee, Yi-Min Li
Votes: 508
aka Brave Archer
Centipede, Lizard, Toad and Last Student (4/6).
Release: 30 July 1977
9. Chinatown Kid (1977)
R | 115 min | Action, Drama
After getting in trouble with local gangs, a young man (Fu Sheng) flees to San Francisco, where the same gangs are still causing problems. He becomes a part of a rival gang, and eventually ... See full summary »
Director: Cheh Chang | Stars: Sheng Fu, Shirley Yu, Susan Yam-Yam Shaw, Phillip Chung-Fung Kwok
Votes: 537
Centipede, Scorpion, Lizard, Toad and Last Student (5/6) - enter the Scorpion.
Release: 2 December 1977
10. Life Gamble (1978)
PG-13 | 96 min | Action, Drama
LIFE GAMBLE is the tale of a simple blacksmith (Kuo Chue) with extraordinary martial-arts skills who is entangled in a life-and-death struggle among swordsmen, thieves, con artists, a ... See full summary »
Director: Cheh Chang | Stars: Sheng Fu, Phillip Chung-Fung Kwok, Meng Lo, Chen-Chi Lin
Votes: 234
aka Life Gamble
Centipede, Lizard, Toad and Last Student (4/6).
Release: 26 April 1978 (Taiwan) / 22 February 1979 (Hong Kong)
11. The Brave Archer Part II (1978)
PG-13 | 110 min | Action, Drama
Kuo Tsing wins the hand of fair maiden Huang Yung. Almost immediately, however, clan rivalries leads to Kuo being wounded by Ouyang Feng and Huang being named new leader of the Beggar Clan.
Director: Cheh Chang | Stars: Sheng Fu, Niu Niu, Danny Lee, Yi-Min Li
Votes: 198
Centipede, Snake, Scorpion, Lizard, Toad and Last Student (6/6) - the full team.
Release: 13 May 1978
12. Five Deadly Venoms (1978)
R | 101 min | Action, Drama, Mystery
The sixth and final pupil of a dying martial arts teacher is instructed to find the teacher's five former pupils and defeat any evil ones that are among them.
Director: Cheh Chang | Stars: Sheng Chiang, Chien Sun, Phillip Chung-Fung Kwok, Meng Lo
Votes: 7,973
Centipede, Snake, Scorpion, Lizard, Toad and Last Student (6/6), obviously.
Release: 12 August 1978
13. Invincible Shaolin (1978)
R | 98 min | Action, Drama
Critically acclaimed director Chang Cheh has The Five Venoms turn Shaolin fighters as they challenge the authority of the evil Chings in Invincible Shaolin. Per usual, the fights will knock your socks off.
Director: Cheh Chang | Stars: Feng Lu, Sheng Chiang, Chien Sun, Phillip Chung-Fung Kwok
Votes: 1,270
Centipede, Snake, Scorpion, Lizard, Toad and Last Student (6/6).
Release: 19 November 1978
14. Crippled Avengers (1978)
R | 104 min | Action, Drama
Three men who have been physically disabled by an evil warlord and his physically-disabled son become friends and learn kung fu so that they can seek revenge with help from an elderly martial-arts teacher and his mentally-disabled pupil.
Director: Cheh Chang | Stars: Kuan Tai Chen, Feng Lu, Phillip Chung-Fung Kwok, Meng Lo
Votes: 2,993
aka Return of the 5 Deadly Venoms
Centipede, Scorpion, Lizard, Toad and Last Student (5/6).
Release: 21 December 1978
15. Avenging Warriors of Shaolin (1979)
PG-13 | 110 min | Action, Comedy
Two friends who long to be heroes join the fight against a Ching warlord and his students. They get help from a Kung Fu student and a rebel. They also save Hung Si Quan's life.
Director: Cheh Chang | Stars: Jason Piao Pai, Feng Lu, Meng Lo, Phillip Chung-Fung Kwok
Votes: 385
aka Shaolin Rescuers
Centipede, Scorpion, Lizard, Toad and Last Student (5/6).
Release: 24 March 1979
16. Shaolin Daredevils (1979)
100 min | Action, Drama
The heroes pose as gun dealers and acrobats in order to get close to the bad guys so they can avenge the death of one of their brothers. In the end they lock the bad guys in a warehouse for a final battle to the death.
Director: Cheh Chang | Stars: Phillip Chung-Fung Kwok, Feng Lu, Sheng Chiang, Chien Sun
Votes: 286
aka Shaolin Daredevils
Centipede, Scorpion, Lizard, Toad and Last Student (5/6).
Release: 29 June 1979
17. The Magnificent Ruffians (1979)
82 min | Action, Drama
Yuan Ying Fei is the descendant of the one known as Golden Sword and himself is a master of the technique as well as being boss of the town. He is so a cruel man and has killed his sparring... See full summary »
Director: Cheh Chang | Stars: Feng Lu, Meng Lo, Chien Sun, Li Wang
Votes: 456
aka Magnificent Ruffians
Centipede, Scorpion, Lizard, Toad and Last Student (5/6).
Release: 20 September 1979
18. The Kid with the Golden Arm (1979)
R | 86 min | Action, Drama
Director Chang Cheh reunites the Five Venoms in his second biggest cult hit in the West. It's Lo Meng's most memorable performances whose showdown with fellow Venom Kuo Chue is artistically violent while being graphically artsy.
Director: Cheh Chang | Stars: Chien Sun, Meng Lo, Feng Lu, Sheng Chiang
Votes: 1,768
aka Kid With the Golden Arm
Centipede, Snake, Scorpion, Lizard, Toad and Last Student (6/6).
Release: 2 November 1979
19. Shaolin Hellgate (1980)
88 min | Action, Adventure, Fantasy
A man and woman are kicked out of the Court of Heaven on trumped up charges of bringing shame onto the Kingdom.
Director: Cheh Chang | Stars: Sheng Fu, Jenny Tseng, David Chiang, Lin-Lin Li
Votes: 167
Centipede, Scorpion, Lizard, Toad and Last Student (5/6).
Release: 19 January 1980
20. Two Champions of Death (1980)
R | 101 min | Action, Drama
The Wu Tang chief sends out his men, each of whom is given a symbol so they can recognize each other. The largest is given to Lee, whom the others are to obey.
Director: Cheh Chang | Stars: Meng Lo, Sheng Chiang, Li Wang, Feng Lu
Votes: 767
Centipede, Scorpion, Toad and Last Student (4/6) - the only one of the Venom films without Lizard.
Release: no date (elsewhere: 12 April 1980)
21. The Flag of Iron (1980)
R | 113 min | Action, Drama
When director Chang Chen found new talent and blood with "The Five Venoms" actors, most of which were trained in the highly acrobatic Chinese opera and well versed with exotic martial arts ... See full summary »
Director: Cheh Chang | Stars: Phillip Chung-Fung Kwok, Sheng Chiang, Li Wang, Feng Lu
Votes: 504
aka Flag of Iron
Centipede, Lizard and Last Student (3/6).
Release: 14 August 1980
22. The Rebel Intruders (1980)
99 min | Action
Three refugees become sworn brothers during a war. One (Kuo Chui/Philip Kwok) works in a whore house, one (Chiang Sheng) in a gambling house, and the other (Lo Mang) in a martial arts ... See full summary »
Director: Cheh Chang | Stars: Phillip Chung-Fung Kwok, Meng Lo, Sheng Chiang, Li Wang
Votes: 309
aka Killer Army
Centipede, Scorpion, Lizard, Toad and Last Student (5/6).
Release: 10 September 1980
23. Legend of the Fox (1980)
129 min | Action, Drama
Chin Siu Ho plays a young man who believes himself to be an orphan. Until one rainy night when he and three different men find themselves taking shelter from the storm in the same place.
Director: Cheh Chang | Stars: Siu-Ho Chin, Sheng Chiang, Linda Chu, Phillip Chung-Fung Kwok
Votes: 157
aka Legend of a Fox
Centipede, Lizard and Last Student (3/6).
Release: no date (elsewhere: 15 November 1980)
24. Ten Tigers of Kwangtung (1980)
R | 91 min | Action, Drama
The movie involves two stories concerning the original Ten Tigers and their future disciples.
Director: Cheh Chang | Stars: Lung Ti, Sheng Fu, Phillip Chung-Fung Kwok, Sheng Chiang
Votes: 613
aka 10 Tigers of Kwangtung
Centipede, Snake, Scorpion, Lizard, Toad and Last Student (6/6) - the last film with the full team.
Release: 20 December 1980 (Taiwan)
25. The Sword Stained with Royal Blood (1981)
104 min | Action, Drama
Yuan finishes his training in the mountains and his master gives him an assignment. In his journey, he finds a cave containing a skeleton, a treasure chest, and a manual showing the Golden ... See full summary »
Director: Cheh Chang | Stars: Phillip Chung-Fung Kwok, Hsueh-Erh Wen, Tien-Hsiang Lung, Sheng Chiang
Votes: 280
aka Sword Stained With Royal Blood
Centipede, Lizard and Last Student (3/6).
Release: 6 March 1981
26. Masked Avengers (1981)
R | 92 min | Action, Drama
Philip Kwok (Lizard venom) plays a repentant killer who vows to destroy the masked gang of which he was a member. A young fighter and his martial arts brothers (incl Chiang Sheng, venom ... See full summary »
Director: Cheh Chang | Stars: Phillip Chung-Fung Kwok, Siu-Ho Chin, Sheng Chiang, Ke Chu
Votes: 787
Centipede, Lizard and Last Student (3/6).
Release: no date (elsewhere: 15 May 1981)
27. The Brave Archer III (1981)
PG-13 | 92 min | Action, Drama
The third installment of The Brave Archer series brings Guo Jing and Huang Rong closer together as they struggle to find a cure for the Iron Palm Clan's deadly blows.
Director: Cheh Chang | Stars: Sheng Fu, Niu Niu, Lung Ti, Tien-Chi Cheng
Votes: 223
aka Brave Archer 3
Centipede, Scorpion, Lizard, Toad and Last Student (5/6) - exit the Toad.
Release: 12 November 1981
28. Shu shi shen chuan (1981)
Not Rated | 92 min | Action, Drama
3 men trained in separate styles by the same teacher are located to stop an assassination attempt by marauding ninjas.
Director: Phillip Chung-Fung Kwok | Stars: Chung-Kuei Chang, Peng Chang, Shen-Lin Chen, Sheng Chiang
Votes: 180
aka Ninja in the Deadly Trap
Centipede, Lizard (who also directs) and Last Student (3/6).
Release: no date
A crossover with ninjas films.
29. House of Traps (1982)
PG-13 | 95 min | Action, Adventure
A team of skilled fighters navigate a house rigged with an array of ingenious and deadly traps.
Director: Cheh Chang | Stars: Feng Lu, Li Wang, Tien-Hsiang Lung, Chien Sun
Votes: 485
aka House of Traps
Centipede, Scorpion, Lizard, and Last Student (4/6).
Release: 9 January 1982
30. Brave Archer and His Mate (1982)
Not Rated | 100 min | Action, Romance
Brave Archer and His Mate is the fourth in a series originally starring international favorite Alexander Fu Sheng as master martial artist Kuo Tsing. Kuo Chui is the new hero who is out to ... See full summary »
Director: Cheh Chang | Stars: Sheng Fu, Tien-Hsiang Lung, Phillip Chung-Fung Kwok, Gigi Suk Yee Wong
Votes: 201
aka Brave Archer and His Mate
Centipede, Lizard and Last Student (3/6).
Release: 25 February 1982
31. Ode to Gallantry (1982)
83 min | Action, Comedy
A lone wanderer is repeatedly mistaken for someone else and drawn into a number of violent battles.
Director: Cheh Chang | Stars: Phillip Chung-Fung Kwok, Ching Tang, Hui-Ling Liu, Li Wang
Votes: 143
aka Ode to Gallantry
Scorpion, Lizard, and Last Student (3/6) - the only one without Centipede and the last appearance of Scorpion. So, technically, this is the last film that could qualify as a Venom film under our criteria.
Release: 16 December 1982
32. Xi shen bao chou (1983)
92 min | Action, Drama
A troupe of traveling performers stop in a small town. However, the general who controls the town has designs on the group's leading actress. They must figure a way to get out of town before the general has his way with her.
Director: Cheh Chang | Stars: Feng Lu, Sheng Chiang, Shih Chin, Yung-Hsiang Chin
Votes: 55
Centipede and Last Student (2/6).
Having only 2 Venoms puts it outside of the remit of this list, but is worth a mention as it was also directed by Chang Cheh. However, we are now at the asymptote so you can stop here if you like, but we are close to the end.
Also, like the next one, a crossover with kung-fu horror films.
33. Jiu zi tian mo (1984)
95 min | Action, Fantasy, Horror
After selling his soul to the devil, Joey is given the power to control 9 demons. With their help, Joey must save his childhood friend Gary from a bloody massacre.
Director: Cheh Chang | Stars: Tien-Chi Cheng, Li Wang, Fu-Chien Chang, Peng Chang
Votes: 161
Centipede and Last Student (2/6).
I've included it here as it sometimes gets labelled as a Venoms film, but tends to fall out of the remit of this list.
34. The Shanghai Thirteen (1984)
90 min | Action
A patriot finds evidence that the government is collaborating with a foreign power. He gets assistance from a local rebel leader who is in charge of a motley group of fighters called the Shanghai 13.
Director: Cheh Chang | Stars: Jimmy Wang Yu, Kuan Tai Chen, Danny Lee, Sheng Chiang
Votes: 205
Centipede and Last Student (2/6).
And we are done. These two did appear in one more film, Fight Among the Supers, but it wasn't directed by Chang Cheh, so this really is it.
Tell Your Friends