The Deadly Mantis
A Shaw Brothers Detour Worth Taking
When people talk about the great Shaw Brothers martial arts films, The 36th Chamber of Shaolin usually gets most of the attention, and rightfully so. But before that, director Lau Kar-leung made The Deadly Mantis in 1978, not to be confused with the American production Deadly Mantis sci-fi monster film from 1957, and it remains one of the more unusual entries in the studio’s catalog.
The film starts as a espionage story. David Chiang plays a man who infiltrates a wealthy family, suspected of plotting against the Qing Emperor, to uncover the truth about their loyalties and their connections. Our hero infiltrates the household by posing as a teach, which the family requires for the headstrong Chi-Chi, the granddaughter of the family patriarch.
David Chiang stars as Wei Fung, a scholar sent by the Emperor to infiltrate the Tien clan, a family suspected of aiding Ming loyalists. Posing as a tutor to the clan leader’s granddaughter, Chi-Chi, Wei gains access to the household but soon finds his mission complicated when she falls in love with him.
When his true motivations are suspected, Wei faces execution. His only chance of survival comes when Chi-Chi pleads for his life, leading her grandfather to offer a choice: marry her and remain with the family forever, or die.
Lau Kar-leung’s direction keeps the action clear and grounded. The fights are built around movement and technique rather than spectacle. That approach makes the later scenes tie in with Chiang’s character when formulating the Praying Mantis style of kung-fu.
It is not as polished or influential as some of Lau’s best-known work, but The Deadly Mantis rewards viewers looking for something a little different. Revenge tale, martial arts showcase, and cautionary story all at once, it remains one of the studio’s most interesting surprises.
