THE
MIGHTY PEKING MAN (1977)Director: Ho Meng-Hua
Miramax Home Entertainment
THE
MIGHTY PEKING MAN (1977)Produced in Hong Kong by Shaw Brothers, famous for their martial arts epics, this is a nutty variation (AKA rip-off) of KING KONG, released a year after Dino De Laurentiis' Hollywood remake. Although New World originally released the film here under the absurd title, GOLIATHON, Quentin Tarentino's Rolling Thunder outfit re-released this to the "Midnight Movie" circuit last year. Although it was by no means a smash, this action packed 90 minute programmer proved to be a warm-welcomed popcorn movie that is far more enticing than big budget rubbish like our own GODZILLA remake.
The film immediately introduces us to the "Mighty Peking Man," a legendary guy in a gorilla suit (that looks like a guy in a gorilla suit) who emerges from the earth after an earthquake. An expedition is started by a greedy, cigar chewing promoter (Norman Chu) who employs a down and out explorer, Johnnie Fang (future Hong Kong action star Danny Lee) to head the retreat. In the first few minutes, giant elephants trample members of the hunting party, one guy has his leg bitten off by a tiger, and a bunch more fall to their deaths from a mountain cliff. Eventually, Johnnie is deserted and left to fetch in the jungle by himself.
He soon meets Samantha (Evelyne Kraft), a beautiful, blonde jungle girl of the Sheena/Tarzan mold. She swings from vines and talks to the animals while barely managing to stay in her single-strapped, animal skin bikini. Samantha turns out to have survived a plane crash that claimed her parents, and was hence raised by the giant ape. After some playful frolicking (watching Kraft spin in slow motion with a tiger on her shoulders, while a pop love tune plays, is an utter laugh riot), and a brush with death from a snake bite, Samantha exits with Johnnie and the Peking Man to the big city where he is put on display. In a jealous fit of rage, the beast gets loose and goes on a rampage of destruction.
THE MIGHTY PEKING MAN, with its absurd dubbing and "man in a suit" monster is very similar to the Japanese Toho films (actually, this is better than any Toho giant monster pic produced in the 70s). The ape looks good in some scenes, ridiculous in others, and in some facial close-ups, a mechanical head is mysteriously substituted.
The real appeal of PEKING MAN is luscious Russian-born Evelyne Kraft. She is absolutely breathtaking, prancing around the entire film half-naked. It's a shame her career was so short-lived, and she only did one other genre film; she was the lead in a terrible German-made comedy, LADY DRACULA (1977).
Since new prints were struck for the theatrical re-release, the disc looks fantastic, letterboxed at 2.35:1 and 16x9 enhanced. Extras include a theatrical trailer, as well as trailers for SWITCHBLADE SISTERS and DUSK TILL DAWN 3. This is must have for giant monster movie lovers. (George R. Reis)