Joseph Kuo is one of the pioneers of martial arts movies made in Taiwan during the 70s. "The 7 Grandmasters" is considered one of the all-time great kung fu movies. It starts off like any other martial arts film, with the grandmaster, played by Jack Lung, receiving a special banner from the king, honoring his martial arts skill as being the best in the land. Before the master will accept the accolade, he travels to challenge the other martial arts masters in the region. If he can beat the other masters, he will accept the king's gift. Along the way, Lee Min tries to join the master and his posse to become one of the disciples. If the master can defeat the others, he will indeed be the grandmaster.

The plot is average and similar to many other martial arts films of the era, from the introduction of the master to the training sequences. What separates "The 7 Grandmasters" from the rest of the field is the superb aerial kung fu choreography. The film builds in its demonstration of martial arts. With each master that is challenged, Kuo and crew heighten the tension through the action. The choreography by Corey Yuen and Yuen Cheung Yan is stellar. The acrobatic displays feature scissor kicks, somersaults, assorted tumbling and feats of high-flying combat. The film reaches a fevered pitch when Lee Min intercedes to save his new master. You only want more and more action, wishing the film would go on indefinitely.

"The 7 Grandmasters" is one of the true cornerstones of martial arts cinema. Catch it if you can. It will only whet your appetite for more martial arts mayhem.