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.
The Mythic Fist Collection: Once Upon a Time in China II / Fist of Fury / Magnificent Butcher / New Fist of Fury (2009)
Director: Lo Wei, Sammo Hung, Tsui Hark
Starring: Bruce Lee, Donnie Yen, Jackie Chan, Jet Li, Sammo Hung, Yuen Biao
Ancient Chinese martial arts tradition dictates that only those loyal initiates who trained the longest and fought the hardest were to have access to... Read more
The Water Margin (1972)
6.8/10
Director: Chang Cheh
Starring: David Chiang, Ti Lung, Lily Ho, Feng Chin
There are martial art epics and "brotherhood hero" films, but then there is nothing out there that comes even close to "The Water Margin". Based on th... Read more
Overheard 2 (2011)
6.8/10
Director: Alan Mak Siu Fai, Felix Chong
Starring: Lau Ching Wan, Louis Koo, Daniel Wu
Manson (Lau Ching Wan) is a successful stockbroker with powerful, secretive employers. After an automobile accident, Manson discovers that someone has... Read more
The Man with the Iron Fists (Blu-ray) (2012)
5.4/10
Director: RZA
Starring: Russell Crowe, Lucy Liu, Rick Yune, RZA , Cung Le, Jamie Chung, Byron Mann, Dave...
Stylish martial arts action adventure inspired by classic kung fu movies. In 19th-century feudal China, a small village is threatened by warring facti... 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
Ip Man: The Final Fight (Blu-ray) (2013)
6.2/10
Director: Herman Yau
Starring: Anthony Wong, Jordan Chan, Eric Tsang
In postwar Hong Kong, legendary Wing Chun grandmaster Ip Man is reluctantly called into action once more, when what begin as simple challenges from ri... Read more
The Storm Riders (1998)
6.5/10
Director: Andrew Lau Wai Keung
Starring: Aaron Kwok, Ekin Cheng, Michael Tse, Sonny Chiba, Shu Qi
The evil Lord Conquer (Sonny Chiba) is close to becoming the most powerful Warlord in the world but to do so he must defeat the holy Sword Saint (Anth... Read more
Death Duel (1977)
6.8/10
Director: Chu Yuan
Starring: Yu An-an, Ping Chen, Derek Yee, Ling Yun
Yen Shih-san (Ling Yun) is reputed to be a swordsman without equal, and in a brief space of time kills several challengers, all of whom were also skil... Read more
Deadly Snail vs Kung Fu Killers (1977)
Director: Heung Ling
Starring: Unicorn Chan, Ching Tien, Tony Wong, Yuen Siu Tien
A surreal journey into the world of cheap special effects and brain-twisting plots, this low budget martial arts flick features a snail that is able t... Read more
The 12 Golden Medallions (1970)
Director: Cheng Kang
Starring: Chin Ping, Chiao Chiao, Huang Tsung Hsin, Ching Miao, Yao Hua
In this kung fu classic from the Shaw Brothers, Traitorous minister Chin Kuei tries to halt General Yueh Fei's victorious battles against the country'... Read more