Films of Fury: The Kung Fu Movie Book
Page 30
Starring Lily Ho Li-li
Softcore erotica plus cool kung fu equals a unique classic.
Enter the Dragon (1973)
Directed by Robert Clouse
Choreographed by Bruce Lee
Starring Bruce Lee
Real kung fu, meet the world. World, meet real kung fu.
Blood Brothers (1973)
Directed by Chang Cheh
Choreographed by Liu Chia-liang, Tang Chia
Starring David Chiang, Ti Lung, Chen Kuan-tai
Finally, emotional drama matched up with great screen kung fu.
Five Shaolin Masters (1974)
Directed by Chang Cheh
Choreographed by Liu Chia-liang
Starring David Chiang, Ti Lung, Alexander Fu Sheng
Five times the star power, five times the kung fu goodness.
All Men Are Brothers (1975)
Directed by Chang Cheh
Choreographed by Liu Chia-liang, Tang Chia
Starring David Chiang, Ti Lung
The sequel to The Water Margin completes the sweeping wuxia story.
Master of the Flying Guillotine (1976)
Directed by Jimmy Wang Yu
Choreographed by Liu Chia-wing
Starring Jimmy Wang Yu
Tacky, silly, crazy? Yes. Influential and entertaining? Also yes.
The Magic Blade (1976)
Directed by Chu Yuan
Choreographed by Tang Chia
Starring Ti Lung
The best of Chu Yuan’s eastern sword-slinger cliffhangers.
Killer Clans (1976)
Directed by Chu Yuan
Choreographed by Tang Chia
Starring Chung Wa
The best of Chu Yuan’s convoluted “no-trapdoor-remains-unsprung” thrillers.
Executioners from Shaolin (1977)
Directed by Liu Chia-liang
Choreographed by Liu Chia-liang
Starring Chen Kuan-tai, Lo Lieh
Master Liang’s epic story of hung gar’s birth (and introduction of the evil Pei Mei).
Judgment of an Assassin (1977)
Directed by Sun Chung
Choreographed by Tang Chia
Starring David Chiang
Crackerjack adventure with the best kung fu (but worst wig) David Chiang has ever done (worn).
36th Chamber of Shaolin (1978)
Directed by Liu Chia-liang
Choreographed by Liu Chia-liang
Starring Gordon Liu Chia-hui
Master Liang’s masterful “love story with kung fu.”
Shaolin Mantis (1978)
Directed by Liu Chia-liang
Choreographed by Liu Chia-liang
Starring David Chiang
Master Liang’s story of mantis style’s birth, with nearly the best David Chiang kung fu.
Heroes of the East (1978)
Directed by Liu Chia-liang
Choreographed by Liu Chia-liang
Starring Gordon Liu Chia-hui
Master Liang’s groundbreaking kung fu Kramer vs. Kramer.
Five Venoms (1978)
Directed by Chang Cheh
Choreographed by Lu Feng
Starring Kuo Chui, Chiang Sheng, Lo Mang, Lu Feng, Sun Chien
The first, and many say best, of what were to become known as the Venoms movies.
Crippled Avengers (1978)
Directed by Chang Cheh
Choreographed by Lu Feng, Chiang Sheng
Starring Kuo Chui, Chiang Sheng, Lo Mang, Lu Feng, Sun Chien, Chen Kuan-tai
Lively, clever, Venoms follow-up, with arguably their best kung fu.
The Avenging Eagle (1978)
Directed by Sun Chung
Choreographed by Tang Chia
Starring Ti Lung, Alexander Fu Sheng
Sun Chung brings grandeur and superior cinematic mise en scene to his best loved kung fu film.
Snake in the Eagle’s Shadow (1978)
Directed by Yuen Wo-ping
Choreographed by Yuen Wo-ping, Hsu Hsia
Starring Jackie Chan, Simon Yuen
Jackie Chan alerts the film world to his ascension.
Drunken Master (1978)
Directed by Yuen Wo-ping
Choreographed by Yuen Wo-ping, Hsu Hsia
Starring Jackie Chan, Simon Yuen
Jackie Chan becomes a superstar with this milestone kung fu comedy.
Dirty Ho (1979)
Directed by Liu Chia-liang
Choreographed by Liu Chia-liang
Starring Gordon Liu Chia-hui, Yung Wang-yu
Unfortunate, misleading title, but superlative kung fu in this class warfare landmark.
Mad Monkey Kung Fu (1979)
Directed by Liu Chia-liang
Choreographed by Liu Chia-liang
Starring Liu Chia-liang, Hsaio Ho
Master Liang takes center stage in this monkey style showcase.
Kid with the Golden Arm (1979)
Directed by Chang Cheh
Choreographed by Lu Feng,
Starring Kuo Chui, Chiang Sheng, Lo Mang, Lu Feng, Sun Chien
The Venoms make a fun “comic book style” Jiang Hu adventure.
The Magnificent Butcher (1979)
Directed by Yuen Wo-ping
Choreographed by Yuen Wo-ping, Sammo Hung
Starring Sammo Hung, Kwan Tak-hing
Great Sammo Hung showcase, but it’s Master Yuen’s Huang Fei-hong scene that makes this eternal.
Knockabout (1979)
Directed by Sammo Hung
Choreographed by Sammo Hung
Starring Yuen Baio, Sammo Hung
The height of Jackie’s Peking Opera schoolmates’ kung fu comedy film work.
Return to the 36th Chamber (1980)
Directed by Liu Chia-liang
Choreographed by Liu Chia-liang
Starring Gordon Liu Chia-hui
The love affair with kung fu continues.
Clan of the White Lotus (1980)
Directed by Lo Lieh
Choreographed by the Liu Chia family
Starring Gordon Liu Chia-hui, Lo Lieh
Influential villain icon Pei Mei returns, along with a wickedly fun “acupuncture-kung-fu” style.
The Master (1980)
Directed by Lu Chin-ku
Choreographed by Hsu Hsia
Starring Chen Kuan-tai, Yuen Tak
Shaw Brothers try their hand at Jackie-style kung fu comedy, with entertaining results.
The Young Master (1980)
Directed by Jackie Chan
Choreographed by Jackie Chan, Fung Hak-on
Starring Jackie Chan
Jackie’s ultimate statement in his initial style of kung fu comedy.
Encounter of the Spooky Kind (1980)
Directed by Sammo Hung
Choreographed by Sammo Hung, Lam Ching-ying, Yuen Baio
Starring Sammo Hung
Sammo thrillingly combines his best kung fu with China’s ornate supernatural mythology.
My Young Auntie (1981)
Directed by Liu Chia-liang
Choreographed by Liu Chia-liang
Starring Kara Hui Ying-hung
Master Liang’s kung fu My Fair Lady.
Martial Club (1981)
Directed by Liu Chia-liang
Choreographed by Liu Chia-liang
Starring Gordon Liu Chia-hui
Master Liang’s crowning Huang Fei-hong achievement.
Masked Avengers (1981)
Directed by Chang Cheh
Choreographed by Kuo Chui, Lu Feng, Chiang Sheng
Starring Kuo Chui, Chiang Sheng, Lo Mang, Lu Feng, Sun Chien
The Venoms have wicked, bloody good fun with nasty three-bladed tridents.
The Prodigal Son (1981)
Directed by Sammo Hung
Choreographed by Sammo Hung, Yuen Baio, Lam Ching-ying
Starring Yuen Baio, Lam Ching-ying, Frankie Chan
Arguably Sammo Hung’s masterpiece, s
howcasing superlative wing chun.
Legendary Weapons of China (1982)
Directed by Liu Chia-liang
Choreographed by Liu Chia-liang
Starring Liu Chia-liang
Master Liang’s quintessential kung fu film, capturing his kung fu at the height of his powers.
Five Element Ninja (1982)
Directed by Chang Cheh
Choreographed by Cheng Tien-chi
Starring Cheng Tien-chi
Chang Cheh’s last great, sharply structured, kung fu thriller.
Human Lanterns (1982)
Directed by Sun Chung
Choreographed by Tang Chia
Starring Chen Kuan-tai, Lo Lieh
Slasher killers plus great kung fu equals the best (and maybe only) of its kind.
The Shaolin Temple (1982)
Directed by Cheung Yam-yim
Choreographed by Yue Hoi, Ma Yin-tat
Starring Jet Li
Mainland China unbuckles its propaganda straitjacket for their first mainstream kung fu production.
A Fistful of Talons (1983)
Directed by Sun Chung
Choreographed by Tony Ching Siu-tung
Starring Billy Chong Chuen-lei
Sun Chung’s swan song is a suitably imaginative, fast-moving kung fu adventure.
Duel to the Death (1983)
Directed by Tony Ching Siu-tung
Choreographed by Tony Ching Siu-tung
Starring Norman Chu, Damian Lau
This tale of Chinese kung fu vs. Japanese cheaters is loads of fast-moving, brain-stretching fun.
Project A (1983)
Directed by Jackie Chan
Choreographed by Jackie Chan, Sammo Hung
Starring Jackie Chan
Jackie drags the period kung fu film, kicking and screaming, into the 20th century.
Disciples of the 36th Chamber (1984)
Directed by Liu Chia-liang
Choreographed by Liu Chia-liang
Starring Hsaio Ho, Gordon Liu Chia-hui
Master Liang’s energetic take on the story of Fong Sai-yuk.
Eight Diagram Pole Fighter (1984)
Directed by Liu Chia-liang
Choreographed by Liu Chia-liang
Starring Gordon Liu Chia-hui
The only Liang film chosen as one of China’s Top 100 Films of all time.
Opium and the Kung Fu Master (1984)
Directed by Tang Chia
Choreographed by Tang Chia, Yuen Wah, Yuen Bun, Li Hai-sheng
Starring Ti Lung
Tang Chia’s last, and best, film, turns the Cantonese kung fu comedy inside out.
Wheels on Meals (1984)
Directed by Sammo Hung
Choreographed by Chin Kar-lok, Mars
Starring Jackie Chan, Sammo Hung, Yuen Baio
Fun, modern day adventure, highlighted by a classic realistic fight ‘tween Jackie and Benny the Jet Urquidez.
Shaolin Temple II: Kids from Shaolin (1984)
Directed by Cheung Yam-yim
Choreographed by Yue Hoi, Ma Yin-tat
Starring Jet Li
Exceptional kung fu makes up for some creaky silliness.
Police Story (1985)
Directed by Jackie Chan
Choreographed by Jackie Chan Stuntmen Association
Starring Jackie Chan
Jackie drags the modern kung fu film, kicking and screeching, into the 20th century.
Yes Madam (1985)
Directed by Corey Yuen Kwai
Choreographed by Corey Yuen Kwai, Mang Hoi
Starring Michelle Yeoh, Cynthia Rothrock
The creation of the woman wushu warrior with automatic weapons genre.
Righting Wrongs (1986)
Directed by Corey Yuen Kwai
Choreographed by Corey Yuen Kwai, Yuen Baio, Hsu Hsia, Mang Hoi
Starring Yuen Baio, Cynthia Rothrock
Yuen Baio adds his own effort to the list of Hong Kong’s finest kung fu thrillers.
Martial Arts of Shaolin (1986)
Directed by Liu Chia-liang
Choreographed by Liu Chia-liang
Starring Jet Li
Master Liang meets Jet Li in this kung fu lover’s magnum opus.
Peking Opera Blues (1986)
Directed by Tsui Hark
Choreographed by Tony Ching Siu-tung
Starring Brigitte Lin, Sally Yeh, Cherie Chung
Tradition-tweaking Tsui delights with this fun feminist adventure.
A Better Tomorrow (1986)
Directed by John Woo
Choreographed by Stephen Tung Wai
Starring Ti Lung, Chow Yun-fat, Leslie Cheung
Woo explodes the genre with his first great “gun fu” thriller.
A Better Tomorrow II (1987)
Directed by John Woo
Choreographed by Tony Ching Siu-tung
Starring Ti Lung, Chow Yun-fat
Woo discovers that the audience’s appetite for extreme gun fu is insatiable.
Project A II (1987)
Directed by Jackie Chan
Choreographed by Jackie Chan Stuntmen Association
Starring Jackie Chan
What many consider Jackie’s apex as a director of kung fu adventures.
Eastern Condors (1987)
Directed by Sammo Hung
Choreographed by Sammo Hung, Yuen Baio, Yuen Wah, Corey Yuen Kwai, Hsaio Ho
Starring Sammo Hung, Yuen Baio
Sammo shoots the works in this jumble of almost every modern day war classic.
Police Story 2 (1988)
Directed by Jackie Chan
Choreographed by Jackie Chan Stuntmen Association
Starring Jackie Chan
It’s really two movies in one, but both features almost unbelievably fast, intricate kung fu.
Dragons Forever (1988)
Directed by Sammo Hung
Choreographed by Sammo Hung Stuntmen Association, Jackie Chan Stuntmen Association
Starring Jackie Chan, Sammo Hung, Yuen Baio
The last of the “Three Brothers” films, with nearly every kung fu actor they could fit.
Tiger on Beat (1988)
Directed by Liu Chia-liang
Choreographed by the Liu Chia Family
Starring Conan Lee, Chow Yun-fat
Master Liang tries his hand at “gun fu,” with some of his superlative kung fu thrown in.
Pedicab Driver (1989)
Directed by Sammo Hung
Choreographed by Sammo Hung Stuntmen Association
Starring Sammo Hung
The best of Sammo’s “dark period” kung fu thrillers.
The Killer (1989)
Directed by John Woo
Choreographed by Tony Ching Siu-tung
Starring Chow Yun-fat, Danny Lee, Sally Yeh
Woo raises the cinematic standard of gun fu with this smart, visually thrilling masterpiece.
God of Gamblers (1989)
Directed by Wong Jing
Choreographed by Paul Wong Kwan
Starring Chow Yun-fat, Andy Lau, Joey Wong
Schlockmeister Wong Jing finally gets one right, thanks to Chow’s superlative performance.
Bullet in the Head (1990)
Directed by John Woo
Choreographed by Lau Chi-ho
Starring Tony Leung, Jacky Cheung, Waise Lee
Woo’s gun fu Apocalypse Now meets Deer Hunter … which is as intense as it sounds.
Once Upon a Time in China (1991)
Directed by Tsui Hark
Choreographed by the Yuen Family
Starring Jet Li
Wong Fei-hung, and Jet Li’s career, is revived in this excellent effort.
Police Story 3: Supercop (1992)
Directed by Stanley Tong
Choreographed by Mak Wai-cheung, Stanley Tong
Starring Jackie Chan, Michelle Yeoh
Jackie finally lets a woman make equal time.
Once Upon a Ti
me in China II (1992)
Directed by Tsui Hark
Choreographed by Yuen Wo-ping
Starring Jet Li, Donnie Yen
Tsui gets the balance of action, comedy, romance, and politics exactly right.
Full Contact (1992)
Directed by Ringo Lam
Choreographed by Liu Chia-wing
Starring Chow Yun-fat, Simon Yam
Lam’s best gun fu effort, with exceptional performances by Chow, Yam, and Anthony Wong.
Hard Boiled (1992)
Directed by John Woo
Choreographed by Kuo Chui
Starring Chow Yun-fat, Tony Leung
Woo says so long to Hong Kong (for now) with this satisfying gun fu extravaganza.
The Heroic Trio (1993)
Directed by Johnnie To, Tony Ching Siu-tung
Choreographed by Tony Ching Siu-tung
Starring Anita Mui, Maggie Cheung, Michelle Yeoh
The best woman wushu warrior comic book adventure Marvel Comics never made.
The Bride with White Hair (1993)
Directed by Ronny Yu
Choreographed by Kuo Chui
Starring Brigitte Lin, Leslie Cheung
Swooningly romantic, emotionally thrilling wuxia.
Iron Monkey (1993)
Directed by Yuen Wo-ping
Choreographed by Yuen Wo-ping
Starring Donnie Yen
Master Yuen makes the best “wire-work” kung fu film (so far).
Fist of Legend (1994)
Directed by Gordon Chan
Choreographed by Yuen Wo-ping
Starring Jet Li, Billy Chow
Jet Li cinematically captures his kung fu at its height.
Drunken Master II (1994)
Directed by Liu Chia-liang, Jackie Chan
Choreographed by Liu Chia-liang, Jackie Chan Stuntmen Association
Starring Jackie Chan
Jackie’s kung fu masterpiece (so far).
Ashes of Time (1994)
Directed by Wong Kar-wai
Choreographed by Sammo Hung
Starring Leslie Cheung, Tony Leung, Brigitte Lin, Jacky Cheung
Kung fu returns to the art film realm.
The Blade (1995)
Directed by Tsui Hark
Choreographed by Stephen Tung Wai, Mang Hoi, Yuen Bun
Starring Vincent Zhao
Tsui’s masterful remake of The One-Armed Swordsman.
The Taichi Master aka Master of Taichi (1997)
Directed by Yuen Wo-ping, Cheung Sing-yim
Choreographed by Yuen Wo-ping, Yuen Cheung-yan
Starring Jacky Wu Jing, Billy Chow
TV movie, yes. Best taichi and baqua ever filmed (so far)? Yes.
The Matrix (1999)
Directed by the Wachowskis
Choreographed by Yuen Wo-ping
Starring Keanu Reaves, Laurence Fishburne
White men can’t jump, or really do balanced kung fu … or can they?
Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon (2000)
Directed by Ang Lee