Supermen Against the Orient
Italian-Hong Kong superhero sequel from 1973.
Supermen Against the Orient (released in Italian as *Crash! Che botte... Strippo strappo stroppio*) is a 1973 superhero film directed by Bitto Albertini. It is an Italian-Hong Kong co-production and serves as a sequel to Gianfranco Parolini's 1967 film *The Three Fantastic Supermen*. The movie performed well commercially in both Italy and Hong Kong.
The plot follows FBI agent Robert Wallace, who is tasked with locating six missing Americans last seen in Bangkok. His investigation leads him to Hong Kong, where he befriends new allies who assist him after he is attacked by a criminal gang.
The cast includes Robert Malcolm as Robert Wallace, Antonio Cantafora as Max, Salvatore Borgese as Jerry, Lo Lieh as Master Tang, Shih Szu as a mysterious young lady, Tung Lin as Chen-Loh, Alberto Farnese as Colonel Roger, Jacques Dufilho as the American ambassador, and Isabella Biagini as the ambassador's wife.
Production was a collaboration between Italy and Hong Kong. Following Bruce Lee's death, the Hong Kong film market faced restrictions, including censorship in Singapore and a quota system for local films in Thailand. This reduced demand for products from major Hong Kong studios like Shaw Brothers and Golden Harvest, leading them to seek overseas co-productions—such as this film with Italy's I.N.D.I.E.F., alongside hybrids like *The Legend of the 7 Golden Vampires* (with Hammer Films) and *Enter the Seven Virgins* (1974, with Rapid Films). This entry differs from other films in the Three Supermen series because Italo Martinenghi's company Cinesecolo was not involved. Jackie Chan is credited among the film's choreographers.
*Supermen Against the Orient* was released in Italy in 1973. Critics offered mixed reactions: Kevin Lyons of *The EOFFTV Review* noted the film contains "lots of very silly" moments and an "embarrassing collection of worn-out gags," but found it amusing for slapstick fans. Andrew Pragasam of *The Spinning Image* called it a "lively, if meandering romp" with a "memorably silly theme song."
Quick Facts
- Starring
- Robert Malcolm / Antonio Cantafora / Sal Borgese / Lo Lieh / Shih Szu
- Distributor
- <!-- or
- Released
- 1973 · Italy
- Country
- Italy / Hong Kong
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The film follows FBI agent Robert Wallace, who is ordered to find six Americans missing in Bangkok. The trail leads to Hong Kong, where during his investigation he makes new friends who stand by him when he is attacked by members of a criminal gang. The cast includes Robert Malcolm as Wallace, Antonio Cantafora as Max, Salvatore Borgese as Jerry, Lo Lieh as Master Tang, and Shih Szu as a mysterious young lady.
Reader's Guide
Supermen Against the Orient is notable as an Italian-Hong Kong co-production produced during a period of restricted markets for Hong Kong film studios after the death of Bruce Lee. Censorship in Singapore and a quota system for local films in Thailand reduced demand for products from large Hong Kong studios like Shaw Brothers and Golden Harvest, leading them to seek overseas co-productions. The film differs from other entries in the Three Supermen series because Italo Martinenghi's company Cinesecolo had no involvement. Jackie Chan is credited among the choreographers. Reception was mixed: Kevin Lyons from The EOFFTV Review noted 'lots of very silly' moments and an 'embarrassing collection of worn-out gags,' but considered it amusing for slapstick fans. Andrew Pragasam from The Spinning Image described it as a 'lively, if meandering romp' with a 'memorably silly theme song.'
Did You Know?
- Jackie Chan is credited among the choreographers in the film.
- The film was a commercial success in Italy and also in Hong Kong.
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