The Eight Diagram Pole Fighter is a Shaw Brothers martial arts classic movie from 1984, directed by Lau Kar-leung starring Gordon Liu (5th Son) and Alexander Fu Sheng (6th Son).
The film opens with an intense battle at Golden Beach, where Gordon Liu’s character witnesses his father and brothers betrayed and ambushed. Escaping the chaos, Gordon Liu seeks refuge at a Shaolin temple, while Alexander Fu Sheng returns home, traumatized by his family’s demise.
Throughout the movie, the two sparring fights between Gordon Liu and the monks stand out as captivating highlights, skillfully shot with a cinematic flair.
Tragically, Alexander Fu Sheng passed away during filming, limiting his appearance to the first half of the movie. While this may impact some story elements, it doesn’t hinder the appreciation of the film’s brilliance.
Additionally, it is worth mentioning that director Lau Kar-leung makes a short but memorable appearance about halfway through the film, adding to the star-studded cast.