Hong Kong Cinema
Hong Kong had a prolific pre-1970s film industry, but it was the supremely talented and determined Bruce Lee who brought Hong Kong film to the international stage. This tiny island nation has been integral to the introduction of the martial arts genre to the rest of the world. One look at Uma Thurman's yellow jumpsuit in the Kill Bills is enough to show us this influence is still alive and very much kicking. After Lee's death in 1973 the industry lost some of its momentum and stuck to the tried and true chop socky formula, but by the 1980s a new talent was emerging in the form of John Woo, inventor of so-called 'balletic gunplay'. This style of shooting shoot-outs captured the imaginations of many young American film makers and emerges in films as diverse as 'Reservoir Dogs' and 'The Matrix'. The martial arts genre was reinvigorated by talents such as Jackie Chan and Jet Li who wanted to introduce more story into the action, and in recent years film maker Wong Kar Wai has challenged what it means to be an HK film, steering clear of Kung Fu and concentrating on more personal, quirky stories. Undoubtedly there is more to see from this exciting port of call...
Right: There can be no more an iconic figure in the martial arts world, than the master himself, the late, great Bruce Lee.
Knockabout (1979)
7.4/10
Director: Sammo Hung
Starring: Yuen Biao, Sammo Hung, Ka-Yan Leung , Hoi San Lee
Two con-men brothers, Yipao (Yuen Biao) and Taipao (Ka-Yan Leung) manage to lose all their cash and get into trouble with a casino owner. When their p... Read more
Koma (2004)
6.1/10
Director: Chi-Leung Law
Starring: Angelica Lee, Kar Yan Lam, Andy Chi-On Hui, Roy Chow, Raymond Wong
At a wedding reception Chi-ching walks in on a woman covered in blood crawling along the bathroom floor. Her kidneys have been removed, supposedly fo... Read more
Kung Fu Dunk (2008)
4.8/10
Director: Chu Yen-ping
Starring: Jay Chou, Charlene Choi, Eric Tsang, Bo-lin Chen
A kung fu sports comedy with Jay Chou as an orphan who was raised in a martial arts school and whose ability to predict his opponent's moves makes him... Read more
Kung Fu Hustle (2004)
7.8/10
Director: Stephen Chow
Starring: Stephen Chow, Yuen Wah, Yuen Qiu, Leung Siu Lung, Dong Zhi Hua
Charismatic Hong Kong comedy legend Stephen Chow's ('Shaolin Soccer') frenetically paced martial arts spoof is a delirious mix of quickfire gags, surr... Read more
Kung Fu Hustle ( Blu-ray ) (2004)
7.8/10
Director: Stephen Chow
Starring: Stephen Chow
Charismatic Hong Kong comedy legend Stephen Chow's ('Shaolin Soccer') frenetically paced martial arts spoof is a delirious mix of quickfire gags, surr... Read more
Kung Fu Yoga (2017)
5.2/10
Director: Stanley Tong
Starring: Jackie Chan
Two professors team up to locate a lost treasure and embark on an adventure that takes them from a Tibetan ice cave to Dubai, and to a mountain temple... Read more
Last Hero in China (1993)
6.8/10
Director: Wong Jing, Yuen Woo Ping
Starring: Jet Li, Chia Hui Gordon Liu, Man Cheung
Village girls have been mysteriously going missing. The elders request Wong Fei Hung (Jet Li) to investigate. Wong does not want to get involved, but,... Read more
Last Hurrah for Chivalry (1979)
7.2/10
Director: John Woo
A son sets out to avenge his father and gets two sword fighters to help him in John Woo's take on the heroic fantasy movie genre. With plenty of outst... Read more
Legend of a Fighter (1982)
7.4/10
Director: Yuen Woo Ping
Starring: Ka-Yan Leung , Yasuaki Kuraka, Yuen Yat-cho
Representing the very best in martial arts filmmaking, from acclaimed director Yuen-Woo Ping, this is the fictionalised life story of revered martial... Read more
Legendary Weapons of China (1982)
7.2/10
Director: Liu Chia-Liang
Starring: Tiet Wo Chu, Liu Chia-Liang, Alexander Fu Sheng, Chia Hui Gordon Liu, Hsiao Hou
In the history of kung fu, dozens of weapons have been developed to meet practically any combat need. 18 primary weapons include basics like the staff... Read more