The Mighty Peking Man (1980)

Sorry, this movie sucks

Don't Believe the Hype

While it doesn't offer any answers, it both thrills and makes you think.

Actress is magnificent and exudes a hypnotic screen presence in this affecting drama.

"Look out it's a cheesy King Kong rip-off!" That's correct everybody, this hilariously god-awful 70's monster flick from the legendary Shaw Brothers Studio brings a whole new meaning to the term "guilty pleasure".A guy in an ape suit, who constantly changes sizes, suddenly awakens from a long slumber and wreaks havoc in the jungles of India. Wait a damn minute; I thought this gorilla was raised in Peking, China. My mistake! Nevertheless, a sleaze ball showman captures the terrifying creature along with scantily-clad jungle woman Samantha (played by the lovely Evelyne Craft). Now it is up to everyman hero Johnnie (Danny Lee) to save the day and live happily ever actor.Now let's get some things straight, "The Mighty Peking Man" is perhaps the nuttiest film I've ever seen since "Super Fuzz". While watching the movie, I somehow felt the urge to mock the inconsistencies and bad special effects. But at the same time, it does show redeeming qualities such as Lee's earnest performance and some nice sex appeal from Craft's animal skin outfit. However, the one scene that managed to raise a cackle is where Samantha tries to ride with a couple on their way to the stadium where Peking Man is being held. In a stroke of luck, they let her come along. I suppose the couple wasn't appalled by her half-naked presence or maybe they were trying to be polite.Despite not making it to the line-up of "Mystery Science Theatre 3000," the film is instead brought to Quentin Tarantino's short-lived production company, Rolling Thunder Pictures. If it hadn't been for Tarantino's involvement, we would have never discussed "The Mighty Peking Man" on this site.And let's us not forget the sappy montage featuring even-sappier music to complete this ham and cheese omelet of a movie. Boy, am I hungry!

Of course there are movies so bad they're fun to watch; this just ain't one of 'em- by any stretch of the imagination. Coming or going. While I did like the costume the title character sported (not that far removed from Rick Baker's duds in SCHLOCK), that's about IT as far as admiration goes. Looking over the posted comments here regarding this one, I can't help but feel that Television has wrecked havoc with the taste buds of most viewers- because MIGHTY PEKING MAN, more than anything else, reminds me of an episode of a really bad television show (take your pick, from day first to this- and they're still being cranked out with mind-numbing regularity); nothing more, nothing less. If you can honestly walk away from something like this having been in any way "entertained," consider watching paint dry.

This movie, while definitely not credible film making by any means(or worth ten stars), is good ol' fashioned, camp entertainment. You have a giant ape, a blonde babe whose nipple pokes out for almost the entire movie, gore, death, and destruction. What's not to like? That said, this is just an adventure movie, and it delivers what it promises: Action, romance, and a giant ape. And it's hilarious to boot! While it probably tries to be serious(well,maybe not) it just comes off as silly. And, this being a big budget Chinese release, the picture looks great while the movie is totally goofy. This is one of those movies that's better to find in the dubbed, Amercanized version. It just makes it sound even sillier. Definitely worth a look for all fans of silly cult cinema. Especially silly cult cinema.

This movie is hilarious and keeps dishing up the laughs where you least expect them.I'm watching the subtitled version and the best line delivered so far was after a native chap had his leg nipped off by a stuffed Tiger and some bloke then yells, "Quick! Get the first aid kit!" The sets are nasty as are the fake animals and "specal effects" but this is a genuine so bad it's funny film. Look out for the Garth Marenghiesque slow motion frolicking scene to pad out the time of the film.A very entertaining film that confirms my theory that everyone in China is called Wang. The giant ape of the film has been named thusly.My only concern is the treatment of the poor animals involved.