Fist of the Condor
“Fist of the Condor” feels like an Italian Western- while the story is definitely in line with archetypes we’re familiar with in martial arts cinema, the unique Chilean setting gives it a feel that just resonates in a different way. In a way, it feels like this film is very authentically out of the past compared to some other period martial arts films. The script by Ernesto Díaz Espinoza isn’t out to break new ground, but to ground the film in a mythic quest that will come to a head in a brutal, furious fight. It accomplishes its mission.
The title refers to an ancient way of martial arts that promotes secrets of overcoming the limits of the human body. The manual, from the 16th Century Incans, has long been searched for, but in its absence, only one person exists whom knows its secrets- El Guerrero (Marko Zaror). Having stayed in hiding, and not fought for six years, he finds himself having to come out of retirement to protect the ways of the text from those whom would use it nefariously.
“Condor” is broken up into 9 chapters, each getting us to the climactic battle where the fate of the secrets will take place. El Guerrero is very much a character in the tradition of any lone warrior, who lives by a code to protect, and would rather be at peace than in the middle of war. At 80 minutes, there’s not a lot of narrative to get bogged down in, and that works to the film’s advantage, as it doesn’t have much to explain, but can use its time to build the film’s world. As mentioned before, the film being Chilean makes familiar things in the story- like training sequences, and establishment of the landscape- more distinctive than if we were just watching a generic martial arts film. And even if I’m not a fan of all the music in this film, the score by Rocco gives us a fascinating sound to go with the images by Nicolás Ibieta and Benjamín Luna Vaccarezza.
There’s a lot to be said about a genre film that simply executes that genre well; “Fist of the Condor” is an example of that, with no muss and no fuss- get in, tell your story, and get out. The characters are not deep, but interesting, the story keeps our interest, and the action is well staged. What more could one ask for?
