Watch Crippled Avengers

Crippled Avengers is a martial arts/action film from 1978, directed by legendary Shaw Brothers director Chang Cheh. The plot follows a group of four individuals, all of whom have been handicapped or lost the use of a limb in some way. Seeking revenge against the people who caused their disabilities and trained in martial arts, the group becomes known as the "crippled avengers."

The lead character, Fang Shih-yu, is played by Kuan Tai Chen. Fang is a blacksmith who loses his arms in a fight with an evil lord who also kills his wife and child. He is quickly joined by three other fighters: a former acrobat who lost his legs, a teacher who lost his sight, and a young man who lost his hearing. Together, they train and use their specific disabilities to gain an advantage in battle.

The film takes place in a small village, where the evil lord, who is also a martial arts master, has seized control. The crippled avengers seek out revenge against him, both for their own disabilities and for the oppression of the villagers. The lord, meanwhile, is searching for the legendary martial arts manual known as the Book of Supreme Mastery, which is said to have the power to teach the user invincibility.

The action scenes in Crippled Avengers are some of the most memorable in any martial arts film. The actors all perform their own stunts, and the choreography is both brutal and inventive. Each character's disability is used to create unique fight scenes that show off their strengths rather than their weaknesses. For example, Fang Shih-yu uses his forearm stumps to wield a pair of iron arms that he crafted himself.

The film also features some classic martial arts villains, including a hulking brute who has metal claws for hands and a woman who is both deadly and seductive. The villains are fierce and intimidating, making the final confrontation all the more satisfying.

One of the most interesting aspects of Crippled Avengers is the way it portrays disability. Rather than treating the disabilities as limitations, the film turns them into strengths. The characters are never defined by their disabilities; instead, they use them to their advantage. This is a refreshing change from the way disabled characters are often portrayed in film, where their disability is either used as a plot device or simply ignored.

In addition to its action and unique portrayal of disability, Crippled Avengers also has a surprisingly emotional core. The characters all have tragic backstories, and their quest for revenge is driven by their desire for justice and closure. The film also explores the themes of loyalty, brotherhood, and sacrifice, as the crippled avengers band together to take down their oppressor.

Overall, Crippled Avengers is a classic martial arts film that still holds up today. Its inventive action scenes, unique portrayal of disability, and emotional core make it a must-see for fans of the genre.

Crippled Avengers is a 1978 action movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 40 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.3.