Synopsis:  A shiftless orphan (Jackie), after being mistaken for a famous warrior, is employed by a clan to guard the shipment of some rare family treasures through dangerous territory.

 Debbie's Review:  In his early 20’s, when he was still under contract to the eeeevil Lo Wei, Jackie convinced Lo to let him have more creative control. Half a Loaf represents a very early “experiment” by Jackie in lampooning the traditional Kung Fu movie. Lo Wei hated the film and refused to release it, until after Jackie had become a huge success with Snake in the Eagle’s Shadow and Drunken Master. This film has some very funny moments, including a dream sequence in which Jackie is picked on by some bullies and becomes a super-fighter by pulling up and eating some spinach. Depending on which version you find, the familiar “Popeye” music is playing in the background. Dean Shek is on hand as a wandering, flatulent Kung Fu teacher who shows Jackie a couple of moves, called “The Concubine” and “The Steel Finger” (you can probably guess which finger is the steel one). Another funny moment comes during a fight when Jackie, still learning Kung Fu, must dodge kicks and punches while trying to learn his stances from a torn up manual whose pages are being blown every which way. It’s all very silly, and all in good, goofy fun. The fight choreography, while not as exciting as some of Jackie’s later films, is still definitely good enough to hold your interest. 

Score: 5/10

Reader Reviews

Anonymous Review:  silly kung fu komedi with bad fights. the script lousy and jackie is mostly silly in the film. and debbie jackie didnt direct this film it whas fearless hyena that jackie directed, chen-chi Hwa directed this film. [You're right, thanks. Correction noted and made. You wanna take over the site? You seem to know lots more than I do! - Debbie]

Score: 1/10

The Drunken Master's Review: I recently purchased this film and "Dragon Fist" for video covers to send to Jackie, but I thought I might as well watch them. AAAHHHH! This film is one of Jackie's worst films. It features too many jokes that children would do (there is a master who always farts and when he does Jackie makes a really weird face). It's better than some of his earliest films, but it's still HORRIBLE! Buy it for a video cover.

Score: 3/10