They appeared in numerous Shaw films at younger ages but did not become a group in high demand until Five Deadly Venoms. They were the main choreographers in all of their films, highly skilled Chinese weapon experts, excellent actors , and excellent acrobats. Most famous of them being Kuo Chui who always played the hero in their films.
As with most groups, time saw their talents being pulled in different directions, not to mention in-fighting for starring roles and production credits.
Pick Your Poison
This is the main 5 .
2nd Tier Venoms
Those listed usually were the supporting villains with Lu Feng, if Lu Feng had a rare hero role the lead villain was usually either Wang Lung-Wei or Wang Li. Lung Tung-Sheng was usually a questionable character in a film who ended up siding with the hero's in the end. Females listed were usually "eye-candy" and got little fighting time in Venom films.
Johnny Wang Lung-Wei- The villain in several early Venom films. Made his debut in Chang Cheh's Shaolin Martial-Arts filmed in Taiwan during 1974.
- Appeared in later Venom films replacing the absent Wei Pai, usually as a villain, and great with weapons. Wang Li was also recruited in Taiwan and appeared in bit parts in New Shaolin Boxer and The Chinatown Kid before his official debut in Shaolin Rescuers.Best known as the #2 Chief in Masked Avengers
Sun Shu-Pei - Usually a villain with minimal Kung-Fu skills but very conniving and sneaky. Only heroic role was as "Long Axe" in the Kid With The Golden Arms.
Yang Hsuing - Better known as 'Brass Head' in Kid with the Golden Arms. Appeared throughout Chang Cheh's Venom cycle of films in various heroic and villainous roles.
Lau Shi Kwong - The cowardly type, best known as the snitch Wong Fa in "Five Deadly Venoms" and as "The Dangerous Kid" in The Flag Of Iron.
Cheng Tien-Chi - Another master of Peking Opera. Made his debut in Brave Archer Part 3 followed by House Of Traps and Ode To Gallantry and would later take the lead roles in Five Element Ninja, The Weird Man and The 9 Demons.
Chu Ko - Also debut in Brave Archer Part 3 and continued into the 80s replacing Sun Chien, usually as an insidious villain. Would later achieve heroic status in later films Five Element Ninja and The Weird Man
Lung Tung-Sheng - Best known as "The Spearman" from Flag of Iron, usually a misguided anti-hero.
Wen Hsueh-Erh - Lead female in Sword Stained With Royal Blood and Ode To Gallantry, as well as Two Champions Of Shaolin. Usually plays the spoiled daughter role.
Yu Tai Ping – The lead henchman in earlier Venom films, would later swith sides during 1981's The Flag Of Iron as his appearances afterwards were usually of the second-tier heroic nature in the films Masked Avengers and The Weird Man. He was one of the lead 'Super Ninjas' in Chang Cheh's gore-filled opus Five Element Ninja alongside Cheng Tien-Chi, Wang Li and Chu Ko.
Shirley Yu - Shaw's leading sexpot, appeared in The Chinatown Kid, Life Gamble, and The Brave Archer Part 2.
Pan Ping-Chang – Usually the lead female in Venom films. Played Kuo's wife in Brave Archer 4 and the swordswoman in Kid With The Golden Arm.
Chin Siu-Ho - First appeared in small bit roles in Rebel Intruders and 10 Tigers Of Kwangtung and made his official credited debut in Two Champions of Shaolin. Would also co-star in Legend of a Fox and Masked Avengers as well as films for other directors at Shaws after Chang Cheh's cohorts disbanded. He is still very much active in HK films today.
Venom Films
Original Hong Kong movie titles, followed by original Hong Kong release date and alias titles also known as.
aka Death Chamber
Naval Commandos
Brave Archer aka Kung-Fu Warlords
Chinatown Kid
Brave Archer Part 2 aka Kung-Fu Warlords Part II
Five Deadly Venoms aka 5 Deadly Venoms, aka Shaolin Deadly Poisons
Invincible Shaolin aka Unbeatable Dragon, aka Shaolin Bloodshed
Crippled Avengers aka Mortal Combat
Life Gamble
Shaolin Rescuers aka Avenging Warriors Of Shaolin
Shaolin Daredevils aka The Magnificent Acrobats
Magnificent Ruffians aka The Destroyers
Kid With The Golden Arm
House Of Traps
Heaven and Hell aka Shaolin Hell Gate
Brave Archer And His Mate aka Mysterious Island
2 Champions Of Shaolin aka Shaolin And Wu-Tong
Flag Of Iron aka Spearman Of Death
Rebel Intruders aka Killer Army, aka The Guerillas
Brave Archer Part 3 aka Blast Of The Iron Palm
Legend Of A Fox
Ode To Gallantry
10 Tigers Of Kwangtung
Sword Stained With Royal Blood
Ruthless Tactics aka Ninja In The Deadly Trap
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