As with many of the other films in this Shawscope Vol 1 set, or the new Blu-Ray releases for Shaw Brothers films from any newer distribution company, I’ve spent quite a bit of time addressing the film on hand. The Five Venoms, also known as The Five Deadly Venoms as it was the first time I saw it, is one of those films. This is more or less an update to those pieces rather than a full review of the film. If you want more in-depth writing, feel free to visit my original review for Blood Brothers HEREor my piece about the role of nihilism and hope in the film for the official Shaw Brothers website HERE.
For those perhaps stumbling upon this film for the first
time due to the latest release from Arrow Video, then congrats. You’ve just
leaped into one of the greatest classic martial arts films of all time. Yes, I
stand by that statement and while many may argue that point, particularly due
to the overall “lack” of action in this film (is it lacking when each sequence
has so much storytelling and pathos to it?), I remain vigilant in that
stance.
The Five Venoms is an incredible piece of
cinema.