Wilson Tong
(Tang Wei-Cheng)
|
Biography
He was said to have swam (with the aid of a basketball) thru the shark-infested South China Sea, when he fled communist China in the 60's. With his exceptional kung-fu skills, he soon found work as a stuntman, often doubling for women because of his slight build (the same was true for Lam Ching-Ying). He worked as a stuntman for Golden Harvest, in films such as Enter The Dragon, When Tae Kwon Do Strikes, and The Skyhawk and a few others, before taking the Independent route (which could be more profitable to the more skillful actors).
His alliance with Liu Chia-Liang began in (1975), when he worked on the film The Spiritual Boxer. As he gained more knowledge and insight in the business, he helped with choreography duties on most of his masterpieces, including Shaolin Mantis, Master Killer, and Shaolin Challenges Ninja. It was during his time, that he learned more about choreography, blending this (with what he learned at Golden Harvest) under Samo Hung and Han Ying-Chieh. He (later) worked with Cheung Sum (of the Goldig Film Company), to help with some of their ideas, for film projects.
The result was the excellent Snake In The Monkey's Shadow, one of a string of "Monkey-style" films popping up around that time. It made a star out of him and John Chang. If you look closely, you'll see him doubling for martial-artist/actor Pomson Shi, in the film's first fight-scene. His performance in The Victim, earned him the name "The Foot Doctor" (by his British fans), for his skilled legwork. I thought his legwork looked much better in The Young Avenger, when he was fighting Shaw alumni Wong Yu, in the finale. With his solid background in the art of Choreography, there wasn't much, that he couldn't do.
His best film, without a doubt, would have to be Snake's Deadly Act, where he got to put all of his skills (choreography) to the test. Here, he battles Feng Ko-An (who's never looked better), in some of the most "Over-the-top" choreography to hit the screen. In Kung Fu Genius he showed his prowess with weapons, which included - the staff, the sword, and the fan. He and Cliff Lok put on a show, that turned a mediocre film into a hit.
He starred with the acrobatic Meng Yuen-Men, in the film Daggers 8, where he got to kill, as often as he liked (which made for some interesting fight scenes). As the genre moved to a close, he began directing films that dealt with "Ghost and Vampires", while occasionally taking villainous roles - Tiger On Beat 1 & 2. He is still very active in the Hong Kong film industry today.
Favorite Quote
[ After almost, murdering a whole school full of students ]
"It's not our job to go around killing young kids, it's bad for our name .....!! "
( - Snake In The Monkey’s Shadow)