The Cave of Silken Web 1967 Ho Meng Hua

This movie is third in a series of four films based on the classic novel Journey To the West that were produced by Shaw Brothers in the 1960's.  It's also the only one that's been released on DVD in America so far.  Based on how fun this movie is, I wish someone would get around to releasing the other three ASAP.

For those that don't know, Journey To the West is the story of the Monkey King, and his journey to enlightenment.  The book itself is 100 chapters long, so for years filmmakers have been taking the best bits and making movies of them.  Stephen Chow had his own two part film A Chinese Odyssey, based on the exploits of the Monkey King, and Jet Li played another version of him in that godawful Forbidden Kingdom movie with Jackie Chan a few years ago.

In this one, Monkey King and his companions Tripitaka, Pigsy, and Sandy come upon a cave filled with spider demons.  The spider demons want to eat Tripitaka, and kill the rest of them.  The spider demons are also scantily clad attractive ladies.  They try to use their feminine wiles to lure Tripitaka to his doom.  Being a  pious monk, he is not easily swayed.  Not so for the half man, half pig Pigsy.  He's more than willing to let these spider ladies take a bite out of him for love.  It's up to the Monkey King to use his magic powers, swordsmanship, and trickery to save his companions and continue on his journey.

If I had seen this movie when I was 7 or 8, it would have been the greatest thing I'd ever seen in my life.  It's still really good, but it is a kids movie, basically.  Not an American kids movie, it's too smart for that...but if you have kids who love magic, monsters, and funny kung fu animals, you should definitely show them this movie.  Now if only they'd release the other 3 films.....

The DVD is unfortunately light on special features.  Just some trailers for other Shaw Brothers movies, and other random Hong Kong productions.