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Ang Panday
Philippines 1980
produced by Fernando Poe jr for FPJ Productions
directed by Ronwaldo Reyes (= Fernando Poe jr)
starring Fernando Poe jr, Max Alvarado, Bentot jr, Liz Alindogan, Paquito Diaz, Lito Anzures, Victor Bravo, Vic Varrion, Martha Sevilla, Bert Olivar, Max Laurel, Rosemarie Keller, Eddie Gicoso, Ernie David, Eric Navarro, Pedro Borlongan, Joe Estrada, Buddy Dator, Jun Montano, Efren M.Reyes, Buddy Lanuza, Zaldo Cruz, Mario Fernandez, Eddie Fernandez, Linda Peralta
screenplay by Fred Navarro, based on the comicbook created by Carlo J. Caparas, music by Ernani Cuenco, special effects by Cesar Abejuela
Ang Panday, Ang Panday (Fernando Poe jr)
review by Mike Haberfelner
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Flavio the blacksmith (Fernando Poe jr) sees injustice all around him,
including the branding of his boy sidekick Lando (Bentot jr) and the
almost-rape of his love interest Monica (Liz Alindogan) by soldiers of the
occupying forces. He would love to fight against the occupiers, but he's
just one man and they are many. Then though, a meteor lands in his garden,
and he forges it into a (magic) dagger, sparkled with his own blood. The occupying
forces are soon defeated (and branded), then he, Monica, Lando, and his old
hermit-advisor (Lito Anzures) decide to wander the countryside, and Flavio is forced to
fight (and defeat) a wizard who has the ability to turn himself into a
seductive woman, flesh-eating zombies, and a vampire. Then though, Monica
and the hermit are captured by the faceless army of Lizardo (Max
Alvarado), who throws his whole army at Flavio once he comes to their
rescue (to no avail),
then, after Flavio's dagger has magically grown into a sword, takes
him on one-on-one, using a magic sword of his own. But of course, in the
end Flavio defeats and kills (?) Lizardo ... Not a great film
as such, Ang Panday - which was a box office sensation on the
Philippines - nevertheless is a pretty enjoyable low budget fantasy epic
made up from crude special effects, mediocre action sequences and martial
arts, and an episodic plot that throws fantasy and horror clichés at the
audience seemingly at random. Now this might all sound less than special
individually, but the combination of these elements somehow add up to more
than just the sum of all the components and turn this into wonderful and
wonderfully trashy entertainment very much in style with the pulpy
comicbook the film is based on.
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