Five Tough Guys, also known as Kung Fu Hellcats is a 1974 Martial Arts Movie released by Shaw Brothers, starring Chen Kuan-tai, Ling Yun, Fan Mei-Sheng, and Wang Wai.
Taking place circa 1915 in the outbreak of the Chinese Civil War, the lawful General Tsai Song-Po leads a rebellion against the corrupt government. General Tsai must travel across hostile territory in secret to deliver an important message to the monarch in the capital city, risking assassination and betrayals along the way.
Eager to assist the General in succeeding his mission, five heroes have volunteered to bodyguard the General across his journey. The righteous kung-fu expert, Master Wu Wen-Yuan (Chen), Master Wu's best friend Shen Shi-Xian (Ling Yun), retired ex-warrior Master Da Chiang, plucky street kid Feng Hsieng and friendly local brute, Wei Jin-Bao (Fan Mei-sheng), has formed an impromptu team of defenders to escort the General on his journey.
However, the corrupt government has allied themselves with a group of Japanese collaborators, who will do anything to stop the General and his five alies, at all costs.
Five Tough Guys contains examples of:
- Badass Crew: The five can take down plenty of faceless mooks despite being outnumbered during fight scenes.
- Badass in a Nice Suit: Master Wu Wen-Yuan gets to fight while wearing a sleek gray suit in more than one scene.
- Bald of Evil: Miyazaki, the Japanese hired hitman and the most dangerous enemy the five faces.
- Bodyguarding a Badass: General Tsai may be the Big Good who needs to be guarded, but he's no slouch at fighting either. He's played by another Shaw kung-fu veteran, Wang Wai, after all.
- David vs. Goliath: Miyazaki when he battles the five, considering he towers even Wei Jin-Bao, the bruiser. Being played by the Japanese wrestler Omae Hitoshi, who stands at over 2 meters, certainly helps.
- Dutch Angle: Used in Miyazaki's introduction scene in order to establish him as a threat to the protagonists.
- Exactly What It Says on the Tin: ... yeah, they're really NOT being subtle about the title. The main characters are certainly as tough fighters as the title implies.
- Glory Days: For Wei Jin-Bao, whose family used to be the best in the bodyguarding business but had since faded from the industry.
- Good Old Fisticuffs: Most of the fights are between fists and involves plenty of kicking and punching, save for Wei Jin-Bao who uses a short spear.
- Lighter and Softer: Considerably less gory or brutal than most of the Shaws' outputs from the mid-70s.
- Unconventional Vehicle Chase: Between a horde-drawn carriage with Wei Jin-Bao as the driver, and a jeep full of enemy mooks.
- "YEAH!" Shot: The film ends with a freeze frame of the five, having completed their mission and will be greatly rewarded, leaping towards the camera at unison. Freeze-frame, roll credits.
