Quentin Tarantino had exceptionally kind words for The H๏τ, the Cool, and the Vicious, a movie that unfortunately receives very little attention today, nearly 50 years after its release. It wasn’t exactly well-known when it first graced the big screen in 1976 either.

Directed by Lee Tso-nam, The H๏τ, the Cool, and the Vicous is a widely overlooked old-school kung fu movie starring lesser-known martial arts actor Dorian Tan. The movie sees Dorian Tan play “Northern Leg” Capt Lu, a talented martial artist who teams up with an undercover government operative to battle his town’s corrupt mayor and his thugs.

Made by an independent studio on a low budget and packed with a cast of mostly unknown actors, The H๏τ, the Cool, and the Vicious may feel like a rather forgettable, run-of-the-mill 1970s kung fu movie, but in the eyes of Quentin Tarantino, it’s so much more.

Quentin Tarantino Considers The H๏τ, The Cool, and The Vicious To Be One Of The “Most Entertaining” Movies Ever

The H๏τ, The Cool, And The Vicious Is One Of Quentin Tarantino’s Favorite Martial Arts Movies

During an appearance on the Pure Cinema Podcast where he discussed his love for old-school kung fu movies, the critically acclaimed filmmaker heaped praise on The H๏τ, the Cool, and the Vicious, even going as far as to call the 1976 film “one of the most entertaining movies ever.“

He referred to the film’s director, Lee Tso-nam, as “one of the great martial arts directors.” Tarantino specifically mentioned the ending that was put together for the film, remarking that the final fight between the three тιтular characters is “just amazing” and “as fun as cinema gets.“

Although not as long as some final showdowns in old-school kung fu movies, the finale of The H๏τ, the Cool, and the Vicious featured a heated battle in which the two protagonists face off against the main villain, exchanging blows for five minutes of screentime.

The H๏τ, the Cool, and the Vicious Is A Highly Underrated Old-School Kung Fu Movie

It Has Well-Choreographed Fight Scenes And An Excellent Combination Of Kung Fu Movie Tropes

It may not have the high-profile cast and crew of a martial arts gem like The 36th Chamber of Shaolin or Enter the Dragon, but upon watching The H๏τ, the Cool, and the Vicious, it’s not hard to see where the film’s appeal comes from. It contains top-notch martial arts choreography, made even more realistic and engaging by the number of long takes included in the fight scenes.

Of course, The H๏τ, the Cool, and the Vicious’ entertainment value isn’t built solely on its epic ending; it offers plenty of exciting fight scenes along the way, not to mention a bizarre and unique villain. It also combines several of the most popular tropes in the martial arts movie genre, including revenge and the unbeatable hero.

All things considered, It’s not hard to see why an old-school kung fu movie affociando like Quentin Tarantino would find it enjoyable.

Source: Pure Cinema Podcast