‘Life Gamble‘ is a Shaw Brothers martial arts movie from 1978 directed by Chang Cheh and stars Alexander Fu Sheng, Philip Kwok, Lo Mang, Kara Wai, Lu Feng, Chiang Sheng and more! ‘Life Gamble’ was recently released on Blu-ray from Shout Factory as part of their Shaw Brothers Classics Collection Volume 3.
‘Life Gamble’ centers on a coveted stolen green jade, with Alexander Fu Sheng playing against type as a villain who ultimately redeemed himself.
The complex narrative wove through a web of characters and betrayals, showcasing an arsenal of hidden weapons and deceptive combat techniques rather than traditional hand-to-hand fighting.
A standout sequence featured Philip Kwok in an impressive battle against spearmen and flag fighters. The film notably included Lu Feng sporting a metal hand – a distinctive feature that would later resurface in the classic “Crippled Avengers”.