Seven Fights with Nine Tail Fox

Nine Tail Fox (Yu So-chow), Jade Hare Spirit (Josephine Siao Fong-fong) and Green Snake Spirit (Connie Chan Po-chu) are out to capture monk Tong (Kwan Hoi-shan) and his essence in a bid to become gods. As they attempt to abduct monk Tong by masquerading as humans, the Monkey King (Yuen Siu-fai) sees through their disguises and rescues his master. Relentless in their quest, the three Spirits are finally conquered after the Monkey King seeks help from Li Jing the ‘Pagoda-bearing Heavenly King’, allowing monk Tong and his disciples to continue with their journey to the West.

Chan, Siao and Yuen co-starred in four ‘Monkey King’ films for Yulin Film Co. As the first film of the series, Seven Fights with Nine Tail Fox also features Yu, the wife of Yuen’s real-life master Mak Bing-wing, and northern-style martial arts master Simon Yuen Siu-tin. Yuen Siu-fai perfectly embodies the role of the Monkey King with both his appearance and lively portrayal of the mischievous yet clever deity, acting with his eyes in particular to express a wide range of emotions. While the versatile Yuen has taken on nearly all Cantonese opera roles except huadan, he dons female attire as the Monkey King is transformed into Monk Sand (Sai Kwa Pau)’s daughter. Looking delicate and enchanting in this rare appearance as a female, Yuen’s character catches the attention of Green Snake Spirit who swoons over him in a hilarious double gender-swapped scene. Shot in Eastmancolor, the film is a serious production with its elaborate sets, costumes and casting. In several of the action scenes between Green Snake Spirit and Frog King (Simon Yuen Siu-tin), director Wong Hok-sing was adept at using overhead shots to capture the martial arts moves in all their glory.

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