EAGLE CLAWS Movie Poster - Hand Painted in Ghana by Leonardo

This hand-painted movie poster represents the 1978 Kung Fu classic Eagle Claws. The poster, created by a local Ghanaian artist, showcases the film’s dynamic martial arts sequences through bold, exaggerated depictions of the characters. Painted in vibrant hues, it captures the energy of the film while embodying the distinctive artistic style of Ghanaian hand-painted movie posters, which are often painted on recycled flour sacks.

Cultural and Artistic Significance

Hand-painted movie posters from Ghana are a significant part of the country’s cultural history. During the 1980s, when video technology became more accessible in Ghana, mobile cinemas flourished. Local operators traveled from village to village with films, often displaying them outdoors. To attract audiences, they commissioned large, colorful posters, hand-painted on recycled flour sacks. Each poster was a unique creation, giving artists the freedom to reinterpret the movie scenes with dramatic flair. Over time, these posters became collectible pieces of African pop art, celebrated for their originality and vibrant depiction of action, horror, and drama genres. Sadly, with the rise of digital printing in the mid-1990s, the art form declined, but the surviving posters remain cherished cultural artifacts. Today, they are exhibited in museums worldwide and admired for their raw, bold aesthetic, representative of Ghana’s rich artistic tradition.

Film Information

"Eagle Claws" (1978)

• Genre: Martial Arts, Kung Fu
• Director: Lee Tso-Nam
• Cast: Chi Kuan-Chun, Lo Lieh, and Lung Fei
• Plot: The story revolves around a martial arts school that practices the deadly Eagle Claw technique. When a rival school begins using their own vicious methods to defeat other clans, it leads to a brutal conflict. The Eagle Claw masters must defend their honor and uphold the integrity of their art, leading to thrilling showdowns and intense martial arts battles.

The 1978 film Eagle Claws is a classic within the Kung Fu genre, blending traditional martial arts themes of honor, loyalty, and revenge. Directed by Lee Tso-Nam and featuring stellar performances by Chi Kuan-Chun and Lo Lieh, the film is known for its exceptional fight choreography and its portrayal of the Eagle Claw technique, a style based on swift, claw-like strikes. The film remains a favorite among martial arts enthusiasts for its intense action sequences and its place within the golden age of Kung Fu cinema.