MASTER SHIH-KIEN ON JACKY AND BRUCE
Master Shih-Kien is probrably Hong Cinema`s greatest film villain. He often played opposite the legendary Kwan Tak Hing.
Perhaps because Shih represented the best in traditional kung-fu Bruce Lee chose him to play Han in "Enter The Dragon" (instead of Han Ying Chieh, "The Big Boss", for whom the part of Han was originally written).
Lee could then emphasise his message by showing the defeat of the old ways by his own more flexible new approach.
Jackie, however, probrably chose Shih for the role of Police Detective in "The Young Master" because he simply respected Shih as representing the very best in traditional Chinese martial arts.
Because Master Shih has worked closely with both Jackie AND Bruce and because of his sound Kung-Fu foundation and vast acting experience, he is in an almost unique position to make comparisons.
The following is part of an interview between Master Shih-Kien and interviewer Kai-Lun Chan translated from an article in Kung Fu Magazine`s special edition "Jacky Chan: His Privacy And Anecdotes."
In Master Shih`s opinion: "Co-operation with Jacky Chan is very pleasant. Though he does not command the same authority as Bruce does, yet he is quite extraordinary.
His hardship in performing movies is quite unbelieveable. In order to achieve the expected result,
he will perform the same act repeatedly for more than sixty times. At the end Jacky bombs himself out and the one who fought against him can hardly raise his legs.
So ever since our co-operation I have begun to realise why so many martial artists say 'Jacky`s money is not easy to earn'.
Jacky works so hard and he works just as hard to make all the other people involved look good too.
As people`s impression of Jacky is more of an actor than a martial artist they tend to neglect his achievements in martial arts.
In fact Jacky Chan is an excellent martial artist. There`s no doubt he is better than most of the first class martial artists in the world.
Jacky and Bruce resemble each other in some ways and Jacky confesses that as a young man he was slightly influenced by Bruce. Probrably because Jacky was strictly trained from his early years his foundation is better than Bruce.
Furthermore, Jack`s knowledge in Chinese Kung Fu as well as stage technique are very deep. In the case of Chinese Kung Fu he does not look apon it scornfully, as Bruce did. Though in a real fight he would not rely on the orthodox set of forms.
It`s a pity that most people applaud Jacky as an outstanding Kung Fu comedian, yet fail to acknowledge his superb discipline in martial arts.
When the final word is written his successes in acting and directing will be overshadowed by his martial expertise.
I, like the majority of us, anticipate Jacky will supercede Bruce as the all-time martial art wizard."
Master Shih-Kien
TRIVIA GEM:
In "Enter The Dragon", the voice of Han (Master Shih Kien) was dubbed by Keye Luke,
Master Po from TV's "Kung Fu"!
OUR TOP 75 NTSC-VHS
MARTIAL ARTS VIDEO SALES
Jacky!
your jackie chan selection
MAIN INDEX
MORE ASIAN SELECTIONS