So Chan (Chow) is a naturally gifted martial artist – but lazy, unmotivated and spoiled by his wealthy parents. He is forced to make something of himself when he falls in love with Yu Shang (Sharla Cheung), a prostitute who agrees to marry him on one condition: that he enters and wins the upcoming imperial martial arts tournament. So Chan only hopes to win Yu Shang’s hand in marriage, but entering the competition soon leads him to become embroiled in a bitter feud between the famed Beggar Clan and a corrupt government official, Chiu Mo-kei (Norman Chiu).
What We Thought:
King of Beggars is a Stephen Chow starring film I hadn’t seen before. Of course I know him for his films like Shaolin Soccer and Kung Fu Hustle, but I somehow hadn’t seen this action-comedy from 1992 before. You can feel the influence this movie had on his later directing career.
Chow plays the son of a wealthy general who falls for a prostitute. To win her hand in marriage he must prove himself as a top notch martial artists and scholar. The martial arts come easy, the learning not so much. After being cheated in a tournament, he and his father are forced into a life of begging. They soon discover being beggars isn’t easy until they realize there is a clan of beggars who can help them get revenge on the men who cheated them.
The film has all the elements you expect from an action-comedy. There is plenty of martial arts and action set pieces. Plus Chow brings his fantastic comedic elements to it as well. When he fights using a sleeping technique it’s laugh out loud funny. Chow has always had great comedic timing and even if you aren’t familiar with his work or these types of films, it’s easy to follow along and enjoy.
King of Beggars was nominated for a ton of awards in Hong Kong when it was released. I knew of the movie, but had never seen it. Chow fans will love it. Fans of the genre will too. I’m glad I could finally cross this one off the watch list.
LIMITED EDITION BLU-RAY SPECIAL FEATURES:
- Limited edition of 2,000 copies
- Limited edition O-card slipcase featuring new artwork by Sam Gilbey
- Limited edition booklet featuring new writing on King of Beggars and director Gordon Chan by Andy Willis
- 1080p HD presentation on Blu-ray from a new 2K restoration
- Cantonese audio (original stereo presentation)
- Optional English dub
- Optional English subtitles, newly translated for this release
- New audio commentary with East Asian cinema expert Frank Djeng (NY Asian Film Festival)
- Beggars and Tramps – new interview with director Gordon Chan
- So Chan and Stephen Chow – new video essay by East Asian cinema scholar Gary Bettinson, co-editor of The Cinema of Stephen Chow
- Original theatrical trailer
The Nerds Templar 