Snake in the Eagle's Shadow
Directed by Yuen Woo-ping · 1978 ·
Is Snake in the Eagle's Shadow worth watching?
Yes. Snake in the Eagle's Shadow (1978) earns a 75% Celluloid Score. That puts it in our Recommended tier. Critics and audiences are closely aligned on this one. See the 4 inputs.
4-input transparent breakdown
Also known as 蛇形刁手 La serpiente a la sombra del águila Le Chinois se déchaîne Die Schlange im Schatten des Adlers Punhos de Serpente スネーキーモンキー／蛇拳 사형도수 Kartalın Gölgesi
Theatrical release Where to watch
Streaming availability varies by region — our catalogue lists U-NEXT in Japan. Check local listings for your region.
Why this score?
- Celluloid's editorial rating is positive (82/100).
- General viewers mostly liked it (83%).
- Metascore is generally favorable (70/100).
- Celluloid Score 75% combines 4 rating inputs; audience sentiment is shown separately. Consult the source notes for verification dates where recorded.
Best for
- Viewers who want a well-regarded action, comedy pick
- Short runtime — easy weeknight watch
Not ideal for
Scores reflect data indexed at build time. Component sources are shown on this page; Celluloid Score is our composite, not a third-party trademark. Scoring policy
Streaming availability, artwork and title metadata courtesy of TMDB. This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB.
Is Snake in the Eagle's Shadow worth watching?
Yes — Snake in the Eagle's Shadow earns a 75% Celluloid Score. That puts it in our Recommended tier. It suits viewers who want a well-regarded action, comedy pick. Read our full review (3.5/5).
Celluloid verdict
The Yuen Woo-ping and Jackie Chan collaboration that invented kung-fu comedy months before Drunken Master perfected it.
Kaiser Khan, Founder & Editor
Critics and audiences are closely aligned on this one.
What is Snake in the Eagle's Shadow about?
Everyone abuses and humiliates a downtrodden orphan until he befriends an old man, who turns out to be the last master of the snake fist fighting style. Jackie becomes the old man's student and finds himself in battle with the master of the eagle's claw style, who has vowed to destroy the snake fist clan.
Watch the Trailer
Critic Reviews
Snake in the Eagle's Shadow Review: Kung Fu Learns to Laugh
★★★½☆
Snake in the Eagle's Shadow is Yuen Woo-ping's 1978 kung fu comedy with Jackie Chan, a scrappy but lively blueprint for the training-film formula they soon refined.
Yes, with reservations. Jackie Chan fans and kung fu devotees should see where his comic style took shape; casual viewers may find the story thin and the humour dated.
Snake in the Eagle's Shadow stills
Official production imagery supplied through TMDB, kept with the movie instead of split into a thin gallery page.
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Snake in the Eagle's Shadow: frequently asked questions
Is Snake in the Eagle's Shadow worth watching?
Yes. Snake in the Eagle's Shadow (1978) has a Celluloid Score of 75%, averaged from the available Celluloid editorial, Metascore, Letterboxd and IMDb ratings. That puts it in our Recommended tier. Audience sentiment is shown separately and does not change the score.
Where can I watch Snake in the Eagle's Shadow?
Elsewhere: U-NEXT in Japan. Availability changes; the where-to-watch table on this page is refreshed from TMDB.
How long is Snake in the Eagle's Shadow?
Snake in the Eagle's Shadow runs 1 hour 38 minutes (98 minutes).
What is Snake in the Eagle's Shadow rated?
Snake in the Eagle's Shadow is rated PG in the United States, PG in Australia and 12 in South Korea. These are the official classifications as recorded on TMDB; check your local classification board for content advice.
Who stars in Snake in the Eagle's Shadow?
Snake in the Eagle's Shadow is directed by Yuen Woo-ping and stars Jackie Chan, Simon Yuen Siu-Tien, Hwang Jang-Lee, Dean Shek Tin, Roy Horan.
What is the Metascore for Snake in the Eagle's Shadow?
Metacritic's Metascore for Snake in the Eagle's Shadow is 70 out of 100. It is one of the inputs to the Celluloid Score.
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