1978 was one of the most, if not the most, prolific years in the history of martial arts movies. By my count about three of these movies were made every day. If you make a list of the best martial arts movies of all times then these movies from 1978 must appear on that list or you know nothing - The 36th Chamber of Shaolin, Crippled Avengers, Heroes of the East, Five Deadly Venoms, Drunken Master, Warriors Two, and Dirty Kung Fu.
So where does Snake and Crane Arts of Shaolin fall in among this plethora? We must pretend, to be objective, that Jackie Chan was just another of the hundreds of capable would be star material stunt men of the era. Is there anything about this movie that makes it worth mentioning along with the other seven named? Short answer, yes.
There are two fight sequences. First is a sword fight sequence at about the 45 minute mark. (I'm pretty sure Jackie took many of these same moves and improved the overall sequence in another of his movies. I'll get back and edit this once confirmed.) Second is the spear fighting sequence in the final fight. Those two fights are on the level of Liu Chia-Liang greatness (the Grandmaster of all martial arts movies). The only problem is the rest of the movie is "meh". I will not be adding this movie to the best of 1978 list but it is certainly rated above average and mandatory viewing for fans of the genre.
Since I mentioned it - I will add my list (up until 1978)
1967 One Armed Swordsman, Dragon Gate Inn, Rape of the Sword
1968 Killer Darts, King of All Swordsmen
1969 Killers Five
1970 The Chinese Boxer
1971 The Eunuch, Lady with a Sword, The Brave and the Evil
1972 The Black Tavern, Five Fingers of Death
1973 Enter the Dragon, Win Them All, One By One
1974 The Savage Five, Shaolin Martial Arts
1975 The Flying Guillotine, The Female Chivalry, The Man from Hong Kong
1976 Challenge of the Masters, Master of the Flying Guillotine, Killer Clans, The Secret Rivals, Dance of Death
1977 The Iron Monkey, Broken Oath, Invincible Armour, Shaolin Plot, Executioners from Shaolin, The Lost Swordship, Judgement of an Assassin, Pursuit of Vengeance
1978 The 36th Chamber of Shaolin, Crippled Avengers, Heroes of the East, Five Deadly Venoms, Drunken Master, Warriors Two, Dirty Kung Fu
