While not one of my favourite Shaw Brothers action flicks, The Anonymous Heroes is still an entertaining fare that takes its director, Chang Cheh, and stars away from the usual chop-socky traditional storyline, bringing in a 1930's post-war setting with modern day weapons and vehicles to add to the mix...

Led by the very young and handsome duo of David Chaing and Ti Lung, the two charm their way through without a care in the world, bringing a little more light-heartedness to things as they rip-off the army in a bid to help the revolutionaries steal guns. With a strong cast behind it, including many future Hong Kong legends in bit-parts or as extras, the film sprinkles a handful of fight scenes throughout the first hour - aided by some gun-play that is hardly worthy of the heroic bloodshed style we see today, but still passes the time well.

As the hour mark creeps in, the revolutionaries have a train prepared for their escape back to the South. With the army giving chase, they find themselves outnumbered, and after a gun fight, lose one of their leaders. This is quickly followed by a (poorly filmed model set) train crash, of which the heroes manage to leap from beforehand. Along with Chaing's girlfriend, the 3 of them find a 'handcar' further along the railroad, and promise to get the guns to the South no matter what!

Although a good lot of it was filmed on location, there is a hefty amount of impressive set work used, as with all Shaw Brothers films. For me though, the films saving grace was its violent and serious ending which pits our heroes against the army in a mix of gun fights and gritty martial arts - choreographed by the infamous Lau Kar Leung, along with Hong Kong movie veteran Tang Chia.

Overall: Slow to begin, with a better second half, The Anonymous Heroes is still entertains and stars Ti Lung and David Chaing are always worth the watch!

The movie starts with the Chinese military trying out new guns and cuts to our hero David Chiang, the most popular man about town having a carefree day. Ku Feng has been following him and before you really get settled into your seat David Chiang, Ti Lung, and Ching Li are in over their heads in a plot to steal guns and ammunition from Ching Li's army general father to support a revolution. No real motivation was ever established other than it might be fun perhaps?

David Chiang, Ti Lung, and Chang Cheh came to be known as Iron Triangle of movie making. I totally respect that except this early movie is more far more lightweight a metal along the line of Aluminum Triangle or even Tin Triangle. The first time I watched it I made a few notes and ended my review with the fact I just did not like it. I watched it again about four years later to watch it again and write this review.

For certain there are simply not enough fights in this movie to satisfy my appetite for martial arts. Also I believe guns have no business in martial arts movies yet here we have a well- armed modern army. The train chase sequence is the worst piece of film in Shaw Brothers history. The train appears to be moving so slowly the pursuers on horseback could walk up to it. The cuts between outdoors and studio are such a total mismatch and so obviously do not fit that they are cartoonish. The models used are total failures.

There is one good thing about this movie - the audio commentary.

I am sticking with my first impression and rating this movie as below average. It will not be on my list to watch again. I am done here.

Anonymous Heroes (1971) was an interesting step for Shaw Brothers famous duo of Lung Ti and David Chiang. In this 1930's era storyline, the two actors star as a pair of wild dudes who like to have fun and raise hell whenever they can. They both like the same girl who hangs out with them whenever they feel like doing something real stupid. But one day, the trio come across a group of revolutionaries who are plotting to take out a local warlord. One of them strikes up a friendship with David and Lung and ask if they'll do a job for them for some quick money. During one of their "raids" for guns, their new found friend is killed. Before his death, they make a blood oath, finish the job of stealing the rifles and get the promised cash so his comrades can continue the revolution. Not a pair of guys who renege on such a serious pact, they decide to carrying on with the mission and try and contact his fellow revolutionary. Along the way the trio steal guns, get arrested, escape and go out like the WILD BUNCH. After dying in a bloody, honorable and dramatic fashion, the three friends forever become heroes in the revolution. They gave up their lives for a cause that they slowly begin to believe in.

A strange film that was like a hybrid of BUTCH CASSIDY & THE SUNDANCE KID and THE WILD BUNCH. I was surprised by how different it was. The movie was light hearted fare (until the bloody heroic end) and the actors seemed to be enjoying themselves. I saw the newly restored version that was released by Celestial Pictures. The movie was shown in beautiful Shawscope with vibrant colors and a restored soundtrack.

Highly recommended!