Villains
"Show me a man of Violence, that came to a good end
and I will take him as my Teacher......"
- Lao Tzu
and I will take him as my Teacher......"
- Lao Tzu
"Knowing my name, will not lengthen your life......"
- Dragon On Fire
- Dragon On Fire
Villains often utter the phase - "I won't forget this" or "We'll meet again, I can promise you that" -- after being beaten or bested by the hero in a fight.
No film would be complete without a Villain. It is the villain the let's us see just how good the hero has to be. An excellent villain, should make for an even better Hero, in that their skill-level should be somewhere near the others' in order to make the ending more believable (satisfying). To make many look tougher onscreen, you'll see some type of Scar across their face, while some wore an Eye-Patch.
No film would be complete without a Villain. It is the villain the let's us see just how good the hero has to be. An excellent villain, should make for an even better Hero, in that their skill-level should be somewhere near the others' in order to make the ending more believable (satisfying). To make many look tougher onscreen, you'll see some type of Scar across their face, while some wore an Eye-Patch.
Throughout the kung-fu genre, there have been villains with such excellent skill and an incredibly evil demeanor, that they've garnered a legion of fans for being so good at being bad. A villain should be so good at his job that, when it's time for him to get "what's coming to him", fans just know that they're gonna be watch a great showdown on the screen. As with villain Wang Jang-Li, his skill-level was so good, that most were wondering how he'd be beaten and by what method.
Villainous Ways
The Look
|
To make many look tougher onscreen, you'll see some type of Scar across their face, while some wore an Eye-Patch. The most common look for villains was a Beard. The scruffy look, gave them a type of Ruggedness, which helped with their edge. Sometimes, their scars (or severe wound), might reveal their association with the hero.
A possible injury (inflicted by the hero), is their reason for seeking him out and/or murdering everyone around him. In Revenge Of Fist Of Fury, the villain blinds the eye of his adversary's student, because he (himself), lost an eye, in a fight with the teacher. Wounds and scarring, often, set the stage for revenge and redemption, in many films. And for some reason, when there is an eye-injury of a villain is missing an eye, it always seems to be the Left eye.
|
|
Villains In Black & Red Clothing
Reasons Villains Fight
Villain's reasons for fighting greatly differ from those of the Hero. His motives were to prove he's the best fighter, control the town and all it's resources (money), and have people obey his every wish. Heroes (for the most part), seemed as though they just wanted to be left alone to practice and enjoy their life. If it was known that the Hero had considerable skill, the villain couldn't rest, until he proved, that he was the better man.
- To prove Superiority
- For Power
- For Monetary gain
- For Lust
Villain's Code
- Usually, travel in a gang of (5) or more people
- To let his men fight first to study Hero's movements
- To shows no mercy to Hero's family or friends
- To double-cross those who help him in good faith
- To control the town with fear
- To take whatever he sees fit to call his own
- To plant spies throughout the town to know everything that goes on
- To use the Hero's friends to draw him out, before killing them
- To have Hero's girlfriend raped in order to humiliate and weaken him psychologically
Villainous Mannerism
|
Films that showcase this
|
|
Bragging
You could often find, villains with superior skill, bragging before, during, and after his bout with the hero (or anyone with less skill than himself). The bragging was to just a ploy to humiliate and un-nerve his opponent, to throw him off of whatever strategy he might have had. A good villain knows that if he can do that, he's alreadywon the biggest battle of all - the Psychological one.
*** Think Muhummand Ali vs Sonny Liston, where, just because your opponent is bigger (and stronger), doesn't mean he isn't afraid something. In this case - Humiliation was the fear. By talking about him and constantly making funny of him (to the media), Liston lost his focus (edge) and then, the fight.
Films like Super Power and The Fists, The Kicks, & The Evils, utilize this tactic, in order to Off-balance opponents, who's mental imbalances, were brought on by Anger. The student is told to "Harass him, plague him, and then you'll have a chance.."
|
Some Classic Lines
|
|
Disguises (Masks)
Certain kung-fu films carry various elements, one of which is, when villains try to disguise themselves to achieve a certain end. Hiding their identity made it easier for villains to do their dirty work and have the town's people believe that they're upstanding citizens. By the time they are found out, many people had lost their lives. When it was more than (2) people wearing masks, it had more to do with some type of clan. Some clans sought to keep their anonymity (sometimes, because of their standing in their town or village), while (secretly) wreaking havoc on the townspeople.
|
Films that showcase this
|
|
Memorable Villains
Actually, these Off-beat portrayals started during the Swordplay Genre (Crippled Tiger, etc..) Wu Ma would lead the charge here, with various characters that were also excellent fighters. I think these characterizations influenced people like Samo hung and later, Tommy Lee to delve deeper into making them (even) more outrageous. Their quirkiness, was, usually, a ploy, used to confuse an opponent, who was caught completely off-guard, trying to figure his foe out.
|
Films that showcase this
|
|
Lamas
These masters from Tibet, are usually in league with the Wu-Tang and can often be seen, fighting against Shaolin exponents. They're normally seen in pairs of (2) or more and considered vicious fighters. Their form of dress, was the easiest way to identify them on the screen. Across their body, was often, a red cloth (similiar to those worn at shaolin. Tied around their head (like a bandana) was two pieces of cloth (one black, one red), that was braided together in an "intertwined" fashion.
In the film The Chinese Professionals, Lamas were seen with clean-shaven heads (which seemed more accurate), because, they were actually Monks, but from the Northern temples. I believe that the red/black headress, was devised, for actors who didn't want to shave their heads. ??
|
Films that showcase this
|
|
The Master Villain
These are those villains that seem to be so good, that they appear almost invincible. Their skill-level is far above that of the normal fighter and it will take a very special skill or technique to stop them. They are usually masters of Iron Armor, could move their "Vital-Nerve" around, or possessed a certain technique that almost, never, failed them. We normally see them fighting with their hands behind their back, looking amused as their opponent keep trying to land a punch.
They almost seem as if they're playing with a child, who is trying his best to hit them, but is too inexperienced to do so. These villains have honed their skill to such a degree, that they can virtually hit their oppenents at will. They would strike their foes in the exact location that they said they would (giving them ample time to defend), yet, still making them look as though they were ametuers.
|
Films that showcase this
|
|
White-Haired Masters
Usually, these were the masters who are at the top of their game when it comes to fighting. They know all the Tricks-of-the-Trade and were the ones that the hero had to seek out in order to learn kung-fu. They were also the ones who would give the hero the toughest time, because of their knowledge and skill level. If something was missing from their repetoire (like strength or agility), then they'd teach hero specialized techniques in order to defeat their common foe.
The White-hair, was used to represent (3) things
- Mastery
- Wisdom
- Self-Control
The Mastery, was of Technique; after virtually, a lifetime of practice, they knew which strikes to use for almost every situation. The hero, would (always) have to get with someone, who either, knew his foe's style or how to counter it (in order to defeat him). The Wisdom, came with age and by learning the strengths and weaknesses of his own art, could he reach that higher level. The Self-Control, that a villain had, was the fact that he didn't make novice mistakes. He could, virtually, toy (play) with his opponent, until (he decided) it was time to finish him off.
Though, Double-crosses weren't rare, when it came to White-haired masters, henchmen knew their place on the totem pole. There was never a need to put their own lives at risk, by trying to double-cross someone, whose skills were much more deadlier, than their own. In "Fatal Needles, Fatal Fists, When Chang Yi asks Tommy Lee, how many men he knew, that could beat him, he immediately says; "There's "YOU"....and the two bandit catchers..!!
Like a shrewd Poker player, he held his hand until, he could bluff his opponent, out of position. The element of Surprise, was something that most villains used (needed) in order to gain the upper-hand on their adversaries. Yet, they'd never, really, learned Self-control over their own Emotions, because, if they had, they wouldn't have been worried about trying to dominate another human-being, for their own, Self-gratification.
|
Films that showcase this
|
|
Henchmen (2-extra / 3-extra)
Many films will show the main villain walking around with a few top fighters, who'll aid him in achieving his vindictive goals. This is, usually, by beating, torturing, or even killing those who stood in their friend's way. They were (often) paid very well, or there wouldn't be a real need to help out (unless, they equally, enjoyed murder and mayhem, just as much, themselves). They knew that, if (when) they took over a town, everything would be at their disposal, as they shared in whatever ill-gottengains, they'd plundered.
Yet, no one had more henchmen than the Emperor. On his word, his men would gladly put their own lives at risk, in order to be seen favorably by their ruler. When looking for someone, one group of men would hunt you (along with the rest of the troops) while another group, would pose as townspeople. In this way, they could learn of information, that would have never been possible, dressed in their soldier uniforms.
|
Films that showcase this
|
Versital Villains
While, it's true that, a great villain can add more spice to a film, the versital he is in his display of his talens, the more he will be remembered by fans. Not only does it take skill, but, flambouyant costumes don't hurt either. Take the case of villain-extraordinaire, Chang Yi. In Eagle's Claws, he sported the pointed (witch-type) hat and "curled-toe" boots. This seemed to heightened the effect his character was trying to convey and made his perfomance a memorable one.
Then, there's Shaw alumni Lo Lieh. His portrayal as Pai Mei (Chief of the Lotus Clan), was so incredible, that almost everyone sites him, as the villain they remember most, from the Kung-fu era. With his evil demeanor and his outlandish bragging as he continuously defeats his opponents, helped define what most felt, a villain should be. As, most long for the Hero to win, it is the versitility of the villain, that actually keeps us waiting to see their final confrontation.
|
Some of Kung-fu's Most Versital Villains
|
Villainous Women
|
Films that showcase this
|
The Family Feud
Films that showcase this
- Shanghai Lil & The Sunluck Kid / The Gold Snatchers - [Brothers] - (Lung Fei)
Special Techniques
Villains used every dirty trick they could, in order to defeat those who stood in their way to supremacy. Anything that would help him destroy the hero (and his teacher), was still considered fair-game and he would use it, no matter how vicious those means were. All tricks and gadgets were acceptable and made for a more deadlier villain, which made audiences wonder, how in the world was the hero handle him.
Iron Armor
This technique (also known as Iron Curtain), made the body impervious to weapons. Yet, there was always some unprotected part of the body, that broke the technique's effectiveness, by showing it's weakness. It always seemed that the villains were the ones that were given all of the Special Powers, making it harder for the hero to defeat him. This was also the reason, we got to see the hero undergoing such rigorous training, in order to become victorious in the end.
|
Films that showcase this
|
Movable Vital Nerve
Exponents of Iron Armor had the amazing ability to move their Vital Nerve (spot that kills), rendering them safe from those who may have known where to strike. If a fighter had knowledge of the body (Anatomy), he could use it to his advantage when they fought. Experts knew the flow of Chi (Internal Energy) differed during various times of the day, and they would learn not only how to move it, but, when to move it.
Films that showcase this
- Shaolin Abbot **
- Invincible Armor
- Executioners From Shaolin
- Fists Of The White Lotus
Special Belts
There are those villains who have master an art to a certain degree, that they're almost invincible. Here, the key word is almost, as there is always a counter to a technique. When a villain used a Specially-constructed belt, it was (usually) to hide his weak (vital) point. Most weren't even aware of this fact, unless they stumble upon it or someone saw him get hurt by a blow there (without the aid of the belt). It's the hero's job to find this weakness and exploit it to his advantage.
|
Films that showcase this
|
Spiritual Boxing
The difference between this technique and Iron Armor is that, it gains it's strength through the mystical elements, while an exponent of Iron Armor, has to undergo many years of training and sexual abstinence. Spiritual Boxer couldn't fight in Whore Houses or if their footing wasn't stable. The reason this technique worked so well, was because, most didn't known how to deal with it or, initially, what could counter it. Most, would stumble upon how to counter unknown styles, such as this.
|
Films that showcase this
|
Total Body Weapons
Head-Butts
When most films show the jarring effects behind the blow, the film Prodigal Son showed the sheer brutality behind the strike and it's effects on the user, as well. Though kung-fu films would start out crude in the beginning, certain films would capture the essence of various techniques, opening a new world to viewers.
|
Films that showcase this
|
Using A Pony-tail As A Weapon
In a number of films, the Ponytail has been used as a weapon against attackers. While it's usually a women doing the hair-attacks, men have been known to get into the swing of things. One of the best examples comes from the film, The Karate Killers, where the villain was just as deadly with his hair as he was his fists. Just by merely wrapping it around someone's neck meant instant death and the Hero had to come up with a way to stop it or become a victim to it.
My other favorite example was in the film - Fist Of The Double K, where the hero had to fight a character named "Pig-tail Liang", whose long ponytail also had razor-sharp metals braided into it. Ironically, his hair became his downfall, as it was used against him. Yet, it was films of this calibre that would let us see just how the body [the whole body] could be used as a weapon. Ironically, men used the braid as a weapon in films more than women did.
|
Films that showcase this
|
Tools Of The Trade
Countless films will show certain villains, actually, carrying their weapons around with them. In ancient times, this wasn't uncommon, considering people were (often) worried about being robbed by others, while traveling (especially, through dense forest terrain). There was, also, the need to hunt and the threat of being attacked by wild animals. Yet, for most villains who were expert with a certain weapon, he was prone to keep it, by his side. Long weapons (Staffs, Spears) were often, strapped to ones' back, while, smaller weapons, were easily concealed under the clothes. Traveling Japanese, always carried Swords and knives with them.
Some experts wouldn't be caught dead, without their weapons. For many, their expertise with their weapon, was what made their names known by people, far and wide. While, most villain could fight, their weapons, often, gave them a deadlier edge against their opponents. You'll find many villains (once they're unarmed by an advesary), seem to freak out, knowing that the weapon, was what gave them the "Upper-hand". People would always stay as far away from those who carried weapons, as possible. This was done, because at any given moment, an angry person could end their life, with the weapons that they carried.
Films that showcase this
- Spearmen Of Death
- Monkey Kung Fu
- Born Invincible
Villainous Teachers
Sometime a student so eager to learn kung-fu picks a sifu to teach him, unaware that the teacher is a killer. And, other times the teacher might be looking for a student to teach so he can draw out his adversaries, which he probably can't find himself. Knowing how impulsive new students are (and how they like to show-off) he will take them as his student, hoping that his foes will catch wind of the student's fighting style and follow him.
|
Films that showcase this
|
Double Trouble
This is where (2) villains take on the hero. They may used the same style or each a different one, but the threat is still twice as deadly. This makes the hero's abilities standout even more. The deadlier the villain, the more the hero has to come through and make a bigger statement with his skill. In many kung-fu films (that boasts villains of this nature), both villains would attack the hero at the same time.
These always made for much more interesting fights, as the hero got to display a much more diverse fighting skill in order to win. In the beginning, we saw mainly Lama stylist, fighting in unison against the hero. Sometimes, they wore matching outfits (Snake In The Monkey's Shadow) and other times similiar colors. Later on, fighters that fought in pairs, showed a better skill-level (and various styles) in their routines, making the hero work twice as hard.
|
Films that showcase this
|
Mixed Doubles
This is where (2) villains take on the hero. They may used the same style or each a different one, but the threat is still twice as deadly. This makes the hero's abilities standout even more. The deadlier the villain, the more the hero has to come through and make a bigger statement with his skill. In many kung-fu films (that boasts villains of this nature), both villains would attack the hero at the same time.
These always made for much more interesting fights, as the hero got to display a much more diverse fighting skill in order to win. In the beginning, we saw mainly Lama stylist, fighting in unison against the hero. Sometimes, they wore matching outfits and other times similiar colors. Later on, fighters that fought in pairs, showed a better skill-level (and various styles) in their routines.
|
Films that showcase this
|
Eradicating Styles
There were those villains who, when seeking Superiority, lashed out at various schools, their students, and their teachers. Sometimes, they'd take it even further, by trying to eradicate a whole style, by killing off every known member of that style. This was done to show other Fighters (not the town), who was in charge, as well as instill fear into them.
It was easier to control them by keeping them scared and if this did't work, they'd make examples of others, by killing them off. Yet, the townspeople would take the stories (of what they'd witnesed) to other towns during their travels, thus spreading the word (and prowess) of the more superior style. This was the way most styles got their repitations.
|
Films that showcase this
|
Health, Handicaps, & Phobias
Villains With Health Problem
This is where certain fighters have some underlying health issues that more often than not, have something to do with their demise. Though they may still be excellent fighters, their health problems, somehow, slow them up. The more "quirks" a villain has, the more depth of character we could see, because, a complexvillain makes for a better picture.
|
Films that showcase this
|
Villains Afraid Of Getting Dirty
Wild, Wild West - (Night Of The Bottomless Pit) +++
Certain kung-fu films introduced us to many villains, some excellent skills, but had problems in other areas. One was a Phobia about getting Dirty. It is during a fight that the hero (or someone helping him), uses dirty or mud as that extra something, that helps them get an edge over the villain's skill and technique. It is never explained in any of the films that I've seen, Why, mud or dirt has such an affect on them. But, once they get dirty, their skill-level is disturbed to the point that, they can't fight effectively.
Certain kung-fu films introduced us to many villains, some excellent skills, but had problems in other areas. One was a Phobia about getting Dirty. It is during a fight that the hero (or someone helping him), uses dirty or mud as that extra something, that helps them get an edge over the villain's skill and technique. It is never explained in any of the films that I've seen, Why, mud or dirt has such an affect on them. But, once they get dirty, their skill-level is disturbed to the point that, they can't fight effectively.
|
Films that showcase this
|
Villain's With Handicaps
Some type of physical handicap that would normally hender most men, has to be overcame in order for certain fighters to be able protect themselves. Whether they are heroes or villains, they must devise a way to hone their skills and still do battle with their adversaries. Villains would normally, take their handicap and turn it into another weapon to use in their arsenal. If they were known to have an injured leg and walked with a crutch, rest assure that their crutch was also, a deadly weapon.
And, if, by chance, you happened to ward-off the crutch, that injured leg would, somehow, come into play and lead to someone's destruction. This was because, they knew that, by having a handicap, most people will attack, what they feel is your weakness, thus leaving an "unprotected" area on themselves (which would have normally been protected). Opponents are, usually, caught off-guard by this, because they take for granted that, since you have an injury, you won't be using the injured limb to fight with.
In the film Ninja Supremo, two villains are crippled, yet, years later, when they show up, we find that they have learned to use these Physical Limitations, to their advantage. In a vast twist, you have others who will Fake injuries, and use them to draw their adversaries into range, hoping to catch them by surprise. In the film Crazy Horse, Intelligent Monkey, a villain thought to be crippled, has to battle (3) fierce fighters. When one of the fighters points out that, because he's now cripple and walks with a crutch, beating him (and taking his money) won't be a problem. As he's severely beating them up, he asks, "Who's the Cripple, now...?"
Blind
- Crystal Fist
- Dragon Princess
- Master Of The Flying Guillotine
Deaf
- Crystal Fist
Humped Back
- Ninja Supremo
- Mantis Fists & Tiger Claws Of Shaolin
Injured Hands
- Ninja Supremo
- Crippled Avengers
Injured Legs
- Fearless Duo
- Crazy Horse, Intelligent Monkey
Legless
- Shadow Girl
One-Armed
- One-Armed Swordsmen
The Error Of Their Way
This happens, when a person is coerced to the wrong side, with gifts (money, women, etc) to go against a righteous man. They usually, don't get the whole story, relying on what they were told about this person, from those who despise him. As he runs with this crowd, he (himself) is looked at, as one of their own. Seen with them, fighting with them (yet) all the while, questioning the motives of the people, he's running with. When the truth finally comes out, he sees for himself, the viciousness of their nature. It is here (often, right when the hero is in serious trouble), that he decides to intervene (switch sides) and lend a helping hand. Though, he often dies in this effort, it is his way of letting the hero know, that he never (really) had anything against him and just got mixed-up, with the wrong crowd.
Films that showcase this
- 5 Fingers Of Death
The Anti-Villain
Here you'll find someone that most feel is an evil person, only to find out that he (she) is a person whose motives were misunderstood, by those around them. They may have been tricked into believing a lie, that has (now) caused a chain of events and changed lives. As they try to set the record straight, they have to explain their previous actions and hope to be forgiven for them.
Frankie Chan's character in The Prodigal Son, is an excellent example of this. He was an arrogant martial-artist, who was merely, trying to test his abilities against others, that possessed a high level of skill. He seemed like a villain, because his bodyguards kept initiating fights (if, you notice, he never started these). He asked for a bout, even pressing it, when he found out that the Opera troupe would be leaving soon. Yet, when his rival has an Asthma-attck (during their match), he's willing to let him recover, before continuing. His guards, were the ones with malice intent (which they showed, by kiling off his competion).
Once he found out the truth, he had them beheaded. It was his arrogance, that made him look like a villain.
They would (sometimes) maim themselves, by cutting off a limb (Dragon Fist), blinding themselves (Greatest Plot, LOAF), in order to show, that their intent came from someone else's will, and not from their (own) heart. To disable themselves (and have to live with it), shows that for their actions, they (too), would suffer for the rest of their life. Killing themselves would be the easy way out and their motives (now), were to live with the reminder of their misdeeds.
They would (sometimes) maim themselves, by cutting off a limb (Dragon Fist), blinding themselves (Greatest Plot, LOAF), in order to show, that their intent came from someone else's will, and not from their (own) heart. To disable themselves (and have to live with it), shows that for their actions, they (too), would suffer for the rest of their life. Killing themselves would be the easy way out and their motives (now), were to live with the reminder of their misdeeds.
|
Films that showcase this
|
50 Most Memorable Villians
(Use Slide-show)
|
Use Country song - Killing Time
|
|