‘House of Traps‘ is a 1982 Shaw Brothers film directed by Chang Cheh which was recently released on Blu-ray by Shout Factory as part of their Shaw Brothers Classics Collection Volume 4.
‘House of Traps’ is one of the later Venom Mob movies featuring Philip Kwok, Lu Feng, Sun Chien, and Chiang Sheng, along with the talented Chin Siu-Ho. Said to be inspired by Shi Yukun’s ‘The Seven Heroes and Five Gallants,’ this film has its share of highs and lows.
On the downside, the plot is a labyrinth of confusion, leaving many scratching their heads. Sun Chien, unfortunately, doesn’t showcase his martial arts prowess in this one. The costumes, especially those worn by Philip Kwok and Lu Feng, might raise an eyebrow.
However, ‘House of Traps’ somewhat redeems itself with a fascinating concept – a house brimming with traps that visually captivates and entertains. Chin Siu-Ho, in the limited martial arts scenes he’s in, shines brightly. If you can power through the initial perplexities of the first hour, the second half is rewarding with a surge of action, making the journey worth the confusion.