Bamboo Gods and Iron Men

Bamboo Gods & Iron Men Poster Poster Art Press Kit File:Bamboo gods and iron men 1 1974.JPG File:Bamboo gods and iron men 6 1974.JPG 250px 250px

Template:Phillipines

Also Known As

• Bamboo Gods and Iron Men (USA)
• Black Kung Fu (USA) (video title)
• Nerfs d'acier, gants de velours (France)

Tagline

• From Harlem to Hong Kong they fear the name, the fame and the fury of Black Cal Jefferson, the Champ!

Main Details

• Released in 1974

• Color

• Runtime: 93 min (Australia) / 96 min (USA)

• Rated: R

• Production Co: American International Pictures, Premiere Productions

• Distribution Co: American International Pictures (1974) (USA) (theatrical)

Cast and Crew

• Directed by Cesar Gallardo

• Written by Ken Metcalfe, Joseph Zucchero

• Starring: James Iglehart, Shirley Washington, Marissa Delgado, Chiquito, Eddie Garcia, Ken Metcalfe, Steve Alcarado, Michael Boyet, Subas Herrero, Leo Martinez, Benny Pestano, Boy Picate, Robert Picate, Robert Rivera, Tony Uy, Joseph Zucchero

• Produced by Cirio H. Santiago

• Original Music by Tito Sotto

• Cinematography by Felipe Sacdalan (as Felipe J. Sacdalan)

• Film Editing by Gervacio Santos

Film Review

Cal Jefferson (Savage's James Iglehart) and his beautiful wife (Shirley Washington) spend their honeymoon together in Hong Kong. Cal (who is a Pro-Boxer) also gets recognized there. While on a boat trip, a Chinese man named Charley (Chiquito) falls into the water and begins to drown. Mr. Jefferson saves him. After that Charley follows the married couple everywhere they go. Meanwhile, Jefferson and his wife buy a Buddha statue (that will bring them trouble very soon). They arrive at the hotel and Charley shows up again. Now they finally realize he can't talk, he's a mute. The hotel receptionist asks Charley why he follows the couple all the time. He writes back on a paper, that Jefferson saved his life, so his life now belongs to him. Cal and his wife are going to Manila and after that the honeymoon will end up in Hawaii. With the special Buddha in the trunk they get mugged, but Charley appears and beats the shit outta the men (but they steal the Buddha anyways). Charley is now a friend to Cal. He shows him boxing and Charley shows him Kung Fu. Jefferson really wants to get on with the honeymoon, but again no luck, someone put bees in his room and they have to hide naked in the pool. Now the police get involved (to bring you a real classic exploitation ending to the movie).

Let me call this movie a hidden forgotten exploitation gem. Blaxploitation and Kung Fu together always works (look at Rush Hour). The Kung Fu looks old school, sometimes not well done but it still looks realistic. The best thing about the film is the comedy. You will smile and/or laugh often. The acting is also pretty nice. There's the badass James Iglehart (someone Quentin Tarantino should use for one of his films). The American DVD is out of print. If you haven't got the film on VHS, try the HK DVD. It has one of the best endings in an exploitation flick.

Reviewed by GBS - 02/16/08

Cool Quotes

• Ricardo: "King's Massage Clinic. Looks like a massage parlor Captain."

• Captain: "Yeah let me see. King's Massage Clinic. You're right. It does look like a massage parlor."

• Ricardo: "That's what I said."

• Captain: "I know that's what you've said Ricardo. But are you willing to let it go with that."

• Ricardo: "Huh?"

• Captain: "Look, just because it looks like a massage parlor doesn't necessarily mean it's a massage parlor."