Snake in the Eagle’s Shadow (1978): Cast & Plot
Snake in the Eagle’s Shadow is a 1978 action comedy directed by Yuen Woo-Ping, starring Jackie Chan as Chien Fu, Simon Yuen Siu-Tien and Hsu Hsia. It runs 1 hour 38 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 38m (98 min)
- Director
- Yuen Woo-Ping
- Original language
- Cantonese
- Studio
- Seasonal Film Corporation
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Snake in the Eagle’s Shadow About?
The premise of Snake in the Eagle’s Shadow without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
A downtrodden orphan is relentlessly abused and humiliated until he befriends a reclusive old man, the last master of the Snake Fist style. The boy, renamed Jackie, becomes his disciple and learns the secret fighting art. He soon faces a lethal showdown with the ruthless master of Eagle’s Claw, who has vowed to annihilate the Snake Fist clan.
Snake in the Eagle’s Shadow Themes & Keywords
· 32 tags- cat
- kung fu
- martial arts
- assassin
- underdog
- martial arts school
- kung fu action
- beggar
- fight
- janitor
- slapstick comedy
- wing chun
+20 more Show fewer
- hand to hand combat
- kung fu master
- kung fu comedy
- martial arts action
- orphan
- poison
- betrayal
- cook
- opening action scene
- chop socky
- fighting style
- physical comedy
- fistfight
- brawl
- stylized violence
- violence
- martial artist
- action hero
- hero
- kung fu classic
Snake in the Eagle’s Shadow Cast & Characters
Jackie Chan leads the cast as Chien Fu, with Simon Yuen Siu-Tien as The Beggar / Pai Chang Tien and Hsu Hsia as Su Chen. Directed by Yuen Woo-Ping; 14 actors are credited in all.
- Director Yuen Woo-Ping
-
Jackie Chan as Chien Fu - Simon Yuen Siu-Tien as The Beggar / Pai Chang Tien
- Hsu Hsia as Su Chen
- Hwang Jang-Lee as Master Shang Kuan Yin
Also Starring in Snake in the Eagle’s Shadow
· 10 more- Fung Ging-Man Teacher Chui
- Fung Hak-On Master Chao Chi-Chih
- Peter Chan Lung Teacher Lian
- Dean Shek Tin Teacher Lee
- Tino Wong Three Provinces Champ
- Chiu Chi-Ling Mr. Liang
- Wynn Lau Chun-Fai
- Chiang Kam Tao Kuei
- Charlie Chan Yiu-Lam Master Hung
- Roy Horan Priest
More from Yuen Woo-Ping
More films directed by Yuen Woo-Ping: The Tai Chi Master, Fire Dragon, Wing Chun and Tai-Chi Master.
Snake in the Eagle’s Shadow Plot Summary
What happens in Snake in the Eagle’s Shadow from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Chien Fu, an orphan raised in a kung fu school, works as its overworked janitor and endures daily abuse from the teachers who treat him like a walking punching-bag. His only source of warmth is Ah-Wu, the school’s cook, who offers a quiet moment of kindness amid the harsh routine. One day, he shares a meal and a place to stay with an old beggar, Pai Chang Tien, not realizing the man is one of the last Snake-style masters fleeing the ruthless Eagle Claw clan that hunts rival fighters. When Pai is ambushed by Su Chen and an assassin posing as a Christian missionary, he is badly wounded.
Full summary
The whole story of Snake in the Eagle’s Shadow, scene by scene
Snake in the Eagle’s Shadow Trailers & Videos
3 videos: 2 trailers and 1 teaser.
- Trailer 88 Films Blu-ray Trailer
- Teaser Jackie Chan in Eagle's Shadow 1983 TV trailer
How Well Do You Know Snake in the Eagle’s Shadow?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Who stars as Chien Fu, the mistreated orphan of the kung fu school?
Seen Snake in the Eagle’s Shadow?
Movies Like Snake in the Eagle’s Shadow
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Snake in the Monkey’s Shadow, Snake In The Eagles Shadow 2 and Snake-Crane Secret.
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Snake in the Monkey’s Shadow 1979 -
Snake In The Eagles Shadow 2 1978 -
Snake-Crane Secret 1978 -
The Snake Strikes Back 1980 -
Snake Deadly Act 1980 -
Snake & Crane Arts of Shaolin 1978 -
The Avenging Eagle 1978 -
Killer of Snake, Fox of Shaolin 1978 -
Against Rascals with Kung-Fu 1980 -
Fearless Hyena 1979 -
Eagle’s Claws 1977 -
Secret Ninja, Roaring Tiger 1982
Snake in the Eagle’s Shadow FAQ: Cast & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, post-credit scenes and language of Snake in the Eagle’s Shadow, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Snake in the Eagle’s Shadow?
Snake in the Eagle’s Shadow runs 1 hour 38 minutes (98 minutes).
When was Snake in the Eagle’s Shadow released?
Snake in the Eagle’s Shadow was released on March 1, 1978.
Who directed Snake in the Eagle’s Shadow?
Snake in the Eagle’s Shadow was directed by Yuen Woo-Ping.
More films by Yuen Woo-Ping Who is in the cast of Snake in the Eagle’s Shadow?
Snake in the Eagle’s Shadow stars Jackie Chan as Chien Fu, Simon Yuen Siu-Tien as The Beggar / Pai Chang Tien and Hsu Hsia as Su Chen, among 14 credited actors.
Does Snake in the Eagle’s Shadow have a post-credit scene?
No. Snake in the Eagle’s Shadow has no extra scene during or after the credits.
What language is Snake in the Eagle’s Shadow in?
The original language of Snake in the Eagle’s Shadow is Cantonese.
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