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To be fair, traditional wuxia and kung fu cinema was already on the decline by the time “To Kill a Mastermind” was released. A new trend had emerged—family-friendly kung fu comedies—which quickly dominated the market. In this shifting landscape, “To Kill a Mastermind” attempted to preserve the spirit of old-school martial arts storytelling, blending intricate action with intrigue.

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The martial world is in chaos. The Seven Evils Society, led by the mysterious Grand Master, is rising in power. Besides terrorizing the weak, the society ruthlessly eliminates upright martial artists who oppose them. Meanwhile, the Imperial Count and the remaining righteous sects form an alliance, using subterfuge and deception to pit the Seven Evils chiefs against one another.

Director Sun Chung, known for balancing character development and action, shifts his focus here almost entirely to choreography. While the plot holds promise,...

Mainland-born Yip Wing Cho began his career at Shaw Brothers Studio as a photography assistant under director Lo Wei, working on titles like “Raw Courage”, “The Golden Sword” (1969), and “Brothers Five” (1970). He later transitioned to directing with “Girl of Ghost Valley”, starring Hsing Hui, and “The Black Tavern”, both from scripts written by his father, Yip Yat Fong. During the revival of Cantonese cinema, Yip spent his later career acting in numerous romantic comedies and crime thrillers.

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“The Black Tavern” tells a simple story about a group of thieves attempting to rob a governor at a remote tavern. The unique story begins in a bustling restaurant in a small town. A wandering monk (Dean Shek) enters, singing and begging his way from table to table. His song reveals that retired governor Hai Gong Feng (Yang Chi Ching) is traveling with a chest full of diamonds and...

Directed by Ronny Yu and featuring a young Brandon Lee in the lead role, “Legacy of Rage” was also his only Hong Kong production. American actor Lee, trained in Jeet Kune Do, Wing Chun, and Muay Thai, was the son of the legendary martial arts icon Bruce Lee. After returning to America, he went on to star in “Showdown in Little Tokyo” (1991), “Rapid Fire” (1992), and “The Crow” (1994).

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In this revenge-driven story, Brandon Ma (Brandon Lee) and May (Regina Kent) are a happy couple living in a small apartment. Ma loves motorbikes and works two jobs—a car wrecker during the day and a waiter at night. May also works at the same nightclub as a dancer. Their wealthy friend, Michael (Michael Wong), enjoys spending time with them, believing he can win May over. Unaware that Michael’s father, Boss Yee (Michael...

Guangzhou (Canton) born Chor Yuen studied Chemistry at the Sun Yat Sen University before getting into the Hong Kong film industry. He worked his way up and soon became a sought-after director. “Cold Blade” (1970) was his first wuxia film, and after joining Shaw Brother Studio in 1971, he directed “Duel for Gold” and then “Intimate Confessions of a Chinese Courtesan”. Chor’s adaptation of Gu Long‘s 17 novels from 1976 onwards into a series of swordplay wuxia films won him more recognitions, awards and international reputation.

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With “Bat Without Wings”, a film adapted from Huang Ying’s novel, Chor again brings us more wuxia mystery and detective thrills to the big screen but with a touch of horror. The film’s title refers to a notorious and highly skilled swordsman who rapes beautiful women and kills them. In order to stop him for good,...

Shanghai born Hua Shan, a graduate of the Shanghai Film Institute, joined Shaw Brothers Studio back in 1963 as an assistant cinematographer. After promoted, he worked on films like “Winged Tiger”, “The Wandering Swordsman”, “The Chinese Boxer” and “The 14 Amazons” as their cinematographer. However, his directorial debut for Shaw was “The Super Inframan” (1975) starring Danny Lee. After making films with contemporary themes, we finally saw him tackle the wuxia swordplay genre with “Flying Guillotine, Part II” and “Soul of the Sword”.

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“Soul of the Sword” features Ti Lung in the lead as Nameless, the cocky swordsman hell-bent on becoming the best swordsman in wulin, the martial world. The Chinese title roughly translates as “Killing by all means”. It is basically about his obsession to defeat the King of Swords, Lu Tian Kang (Ku Feng), in a duel to claim the title. Lu...

The 1970s represent a supreme period in the context of martial arts movies. Although these films were being released as early as the 1920s, this decade effectively put the genre on the map and brought mainstream popularity with some of the best martial arts movie performances of all time. The love for martial arts cinema continued in the following years, with hit releases like The Karate Kid, which made such an impact it warranted a Karate Kid sequel 40 years later.

Without a doubt, the most legendary figure of this period was Bruce Lee. As a pioneer of cinematic martial arts, Lee's performances were so great they produced a new sub-genre known as Bruceploitation films that were aimed at emulating his style. While he is certainly a household name for this decade and beyond of martial arts movies, there are several more standout performances from the 1970s that majorly affected the genre.

Adapted from “Thirteen Cold-Blooded Eagles”, a wuxia novel written by Chin Hung and scripted by Ni Kuang, this is undoubtedly one of Sun Chung's best works and Shaw Brothers' all-time best sword fighting movie not directed by Chang Cheh or Chu Yuan. The story is a simple tale of revenge and awakening; however, its twists and turns are told mostly in flashbacks.

Yoh Yi Hung (Ku Feng) is the cruel leader of the Iron Boat Clan who takes in orphans and trains them to become highly skilled killers to do his dirty work of terrorizing and killing people. Since only the very strong can endure his strict training, he's left with only thirteen surviving disciples, the appropriately named “Thirteen Cold-Blooded Eagles”.

The movie only concentrates on one disciple, Chik Ming Sing (Ti Lung) or the Black Eagle whose weapon of choice is the three-sectioned staff. Thirsty and hungry when we first meet him,...

After joining the Hong Kong film industry as a screenwriter in the early 1950s, Chinese-born Huang Feng's directorial debut was Shaw Brothers' “The Crimson Charm”. He then went on to direct more films for Raymond Chow's Golden Harvest starring his leading lady Angela Mao in “The Angry River” (1971), “Lady Whirlwind”, “Hapkido” (1972), “When Taekwondo Strikes” (1973) and “The Tournament” (1974). Widely credited to have discovered the hapkido trained martial artist and actress Angela Mao Ying, Huang retired in 1980.

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In this revenge based wuxia, swordsman Chiang, the Chief of the Chong Chou Sword Clan and his daughter are rushing home so he can be on time to celebrate his 60th birthday. During their stop at an inn, they witness the killing of a father by a gang while protecting his daughter and as the gang leader tries to rape the poor girl, Chiang intervenes and kills him.

Wuxia cinema used Ancient China to tell epic stories of battles, romance, and supernatural scenarios. Many martial arts movies set in Ancient China were known for their variety and countless tales. Movies like Mulan and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon opened up mainstream audiences to wuxia filmmaking.

Martial arts movies have always been intrinsically linked to an Ancient Chinese setting and wuxia cinema used this era to tell stories of epic historical battles, romantic encounters, and supernatural scenarios. Wuxia was a popular genre of martial arts movies in Asian filmmaking and through the decades these films have used this setting as the basis for countless kung-fu classics, fantasy fighting films, and wonderfully weird wuxia worlds. In movies made by production companies like the Shaw Brothers Studio, martial arts legends would star in thrilling films set in Ancient China.

From the action-packed adventures of deadly assassins to the ravishing romances of wayward warriors,...

Sun Chung, Ti Lung and Fu Sheng are back in another wuxia adventure after their highly successful collaboration in “Avenging Eagle” just a year ago, this time written by the prolific novelist and screenwriter Ni Kuang. The Chinese title, loosely translated as “Romantic Broken Sword, Little Dagger” actually refers to both the lead characters and their signature weapons.

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Proud, arrogant Tuan Chang Qing (Ti Lung) is a legendary swordsman who kills his opponents with a special sword technique as well as provides coffins for them before their duels. He purposely breaks the tip of his sword, about an inch, and buries it in their bodies like souvenirs and by killing them that way, he has earned the nickname “Deadly Broken Sword”. The movie opens with Tuan and Lian San (Michael Chan Wai Man) in a ferocious duel in which Lian,...

One of the great thrills of old school kung fu flicks is the juxtaposition between the dance-like choreography and bone-crunching violence. Bright splashes of blood are made more shocking by the balletic quality of the fights themselves. This is the contradiction at the core of almost all classic martial arts films; the spirituality inherent in Shaolin Kung Fu coexists with its potential to cause serious bodily harm. Many of the best releases of the 70s and 80s golden age understood how to blend Zen-like philosophy with animalistic anger, and revenge storylines allowed for especially potent drama. Here are five of the most down-and-dirty payback plots from the heyday of Hong Kong action.

5. The Duel

Chang Cheh's Ti Lung and David Chiang team-up from the year before, “Vengeance,” might be the obvious choice, but “The Duel” is an underrated slice of Triad grittiness. Lung and Chiang are two of the coolest...

Another Shaw Brothers collaboration between novelist Gu Long, director Chor Yuen and actor Ti Lung, this third installment of the Chu Liu Hsiang film series is actually a follow up to “Legend of the Bat” (1978) which started with “Clans of Intrigue” back in 1977. The English title is rather misleading since it has nothing to do with Chu's “The Sentimental Swordsman” film series which starred Ti Lung as Little Flying Dagger Li, a different character altogether.

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Also by adapting the story from the fifth novel “Phantom Manor” of another Gu's wuxia series “The Legend of Lu Xiao Feng” and not from “The Legend of Chu Liu Hsiang” series itself, this further makes things more complicated. Chor adapts the story but replaces the protagonist Lu with Chu Liu Hsiang instead. However, the Chinese title which translates as “Chu Liu Hsiang:...

Li Xun Huan, the sick gentleman of jianghu, the martial arts world, returns with yet another adventure full of intrigue and bloodshed. Widely claimed as the 100th film directed by Chor Yuen, this straight continuation of “The Sentimental Swordsman” (1977) with most of the original cast returning though some playing different roles, did even better at the box office than its predecessor.

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After defeating the “Plum Blossom Bandit”, wine loving Li Xun Huan, Flying Dagger Xiao Li (Ti Lung) and his only friend Ah Fei (Derek Yee) went their separate ways as they tried to settle down in seclusion. But his peaceful life lasted only three years, due to an official martial world “Best Weapons and Fighters” list which ranks him at number three. Challengers are keen to dethrone him especially the leader of the ruthless Money Clan, Shang Kuan...

If you are into martial arts films, especially those produced by Shaw Brothers Studios in the late 70s, the Flying Guillotine would probably be your favorite weapon from the Qing Dynasty. It looks very much like a hat with a netting full of razor sharp blades in the rim and there is a long chain attached to it. The skillful wielder or assassin throws it from a distance onto someone's head and with a pull of the chain, the blades circle in and cut the poor victim's head clean off. It is a very effective way to kill and besides it is quiet and almost impossible to defend against.

Though associated with Emperor Yung Cheng and his elite squad of assassins during the Qing Dynasty, no one really knows if such a device actually existed. But this deadly legendary Chinese killing machine sure looks great flying across the silver screens...

Adapted from the first novel of Gu Long's “Xiao Li Fei Dao” (“Little Li Flying Dagger”) a wuxia series which consisted of five novels, “Duo Qing Lian Ke Wu Qing Jian” published in 1968, narrates the adventure of swordsman Li Xun Huan and his trademark use of daggers hidden in his fan. This Shaw Brothers production was a success and went on to become one of their highest grossing films ever.

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Renowned and proud swordsman Li Xun Huan (Ti Lung) has been wandering the country side with his loyal servant Chuan Jia (Fan Mei Sheng) for ten years after retiring from the martial arts community, after willingly giving up the woman he loves to his savior. But he is happy with his simple life and finds comfort in drinking wine. However, news of the reappearance of the “Plum Blossom...

None of Bruce Lee's movies have been revisited on the big screen more than Fist of Fury. Enter the Dragon is without question the actor's most popular film, but Fist of Fury has a unique legacy unrivaled by any of Lee's other movies. Since it hit theaters in 1971, the story has served as the foundation for several more martial arts films.

Released in 1971, Fist of Fury was the second of five kung fu movies Lee worked on in his lifetime. In the film, the actor played Chen Zhen, a Chinese martial artist who rises up to fight the Japanese after his master dies. The patriotic symbolism attached to Lee's character made Fist of Fury an impactful film in the Hong Kong movie industry. In response to its success, filmmakers found more to do with Chen Zhen and the struggle faced by the people in the movie. Of course, this...

In the midst of her Oscar campaign, and with a lot of people consequently discovering or rediscovering her earlier work, there’s not a whole lot left to say about Michelle Yeoh. However, Eureka’s perfectly timed releases of her early classics are definitely the best way to newly appreciate Yeoh, prior to the almost regal bearing she now brings to her projects.

Magnificent Warriors was the penultimate film of Yeoh’s short early run, before she took a break from the screen during her marriage to producer Dickson Poon, making a post-divorce comeback in Police Story 3. This early run is exceptional, also including starring roles in Yes Madam and its sequel Royal Warriors, but Magnificent Warriors may be the best of them, and one of her finest films full stop.

Drawing some inspiration from Indiana Jones (the character rather than specifics of either film that had been released by...

Hardly a stranger in the wuxia films universe, Chor Yuen from the Shaw Brothers Studio is renowned for his adaptations of Ku Lung’s swordplay wuxia novels onto the big screen, starting with “Killer Clans” in 1976 that ultimately made him well known internationally. “Clans of Intrigue”, adapted from “Fragrance in the Sea of Blood” is one of five such films the prolific director released in 1977.

Highly skilled in chigong (energy power) and a reputable player in the Jianghu (Martial arts world), “Thief Master” Chu Liu Hsiang (Ti Lung) steals from the rich to help the poor and lives in a luxurious boathouse with three beautiful maidens. He carries a metal fan for self-defense even though he is renowned as someone who doesn’t kill his enemies.

One evening, while having dinner with his friends Monk Wu Hua (Yeah Hua) and Nan Gong Lin (Tien Ching) Chief of the Beggar Clan,...

Underneath all that flashy Shaw Brothers production standards, this was essentially a rushed and cashed in “B” grade road adventure drama from Ho Meng Hua. Released at the same time as Jimmy Wang Yu’s “Master of the Flying Guillotine” this was pretty much a knockoff of his own hit “The Flying Guillotine” (1975) starring Chen Kuan Tai. Nonetheless, it crashed at the box office during its short run while Jimmy’s guillotine clone won the hearts of many fans and attracted a cult following.

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An oppressive Lord Qin Quan (Ku Feng) is slowing dying of a poisonous boil named “100 Birds Worshiping the Phoenix” which grows on his back. Upon hearing that a retired herbalist has a cure in the form of a longevity vine, he sends out his trustworthy bodyguard, troop leader Si Ma Jun (Lo Lieh) as well...

Back in 1975, Ho Meng Hua introduced his cool but deadly decapitating flying machine and caused a sensation. But the problematic official sequel didn’t really take off till 1978, a very long time for a follow-up. For a start, Ho was too busy with other projects like “Black Magic”, “The Mighty Peking Man” and “Vengeful Beauty”. Conversely, in 1976 both Chen Kuan Tai and Liu Wu Chi were keen to reprise their roles but Liu unexpectedly disappeared from the movie industry altogether but they quickly replaced her with Hsiao Yao.

Then in late 1967, leading man Chen abruptly left Shaw Brothers, and if that was not enough, Hsiao Yao also left the studio. At this point and not wanting to abandon the project, they signed up Ti Lung to take over Chen as Ma Teng and the role of his wife went to Chen Szu Chia. Meanwhile, the original director Cheng Kang (“14 Amazons...

Although this gruesome action drama with a touch of horror was a huge success after its premiere, “Flying Guillotine 2” the problematic official sequel directed by Cheng Kang and Hua Shan and starring Ti Lung didn’t get released till 1978. In the meantime, Jimmy Wang Yu was quick to follow up with his action packed but outrageous “Master of the Flying Guillotine” in 1976.

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Set in the Qing Dynasty, Emperor Yung Cheng (Chiang Yang) uses military force and fear to maintain peace and order as well as make sure that no one dares to oppose him. Meanwhile, after being inspired by a diabolo, a sort of Chinese yo-yo gadget operated by using a rope, his trusted royal servant Xin Kang (Ku Feng) eventually develops the flying guillotine, a killing machine which can chop anyone’s head clean off even from a hundred yards away. Furthermore, twelve men...

Wong Fei-hung (1847-1925) was a real person, but through the many interpretations of him and his life, played by actors like Kwan Tak-hing, Jackie Chan (Drunken Master), Jet Li (Once Upon a Time in China and Last Hero in China) and, briefly, Sammo Hung (Around the World in 80 Days), he has become something of a mythic figure. Gordon Liu first played the role in Challenge of the Masters, and reprises it here.

Though he’s the central figure, Martial Club is more of an ensemble piece than one focused purely on Wong Fei-hung. Broadly, the film is about an outwardly friendly, but escalating, rivalry between three Kung Fu schools: Wu Guan, Jeng and Luk. Eventually Wong Fei-hung, his friend Yan-lam (Robert Mak) and Yan-lam‘s sister (Kara Hui) are put in a position where they have to fight back.

The first half of the film focuses almost entirely on...

Set in the Ming Dynasty, the film is loosely based on the Brocade Guards or Jin Yi Wei (the movie’s Chinese title), the secret police force of the Ming Court in which the members wear distinctive embroidered uniforms. This grim wuxia and melodrama is a late Shaw Brothers outing before they rescheduled film making and concentrate on television productions through their broadcasting company, Television Broadcasts Limited (Tvb).

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At the palace, a cruel and ambitious eunuch, Wang Zhen who is both the personal guard and adviser to the Emperor Ying Zong, is showering the young Emperor, a childish and womanizing weakling, with gifts like beautiful women. The cunning Wang is trying to persuade the busy Ying who at times has to play hide and seek with four naked women, to hand the country‘s affairs over to him, and to his anticipation, the Emperor agrees.

Guest reviewer Lee Broughton offers an assessment of one of the Shaw Brothers’ quirkier and more idiosyncratic historical martial arts efforts: an action-packed Meng Hua Ho wuxia flick from 1976 that concerns an irredeemable killer sent on a mission to save the life of a despicable and hated tyrant. Outstanding fight choreography, unusual weaponry and unpredictable plot twists help make this frenetically paced show a winner.

The Dragon Missile

Region B Blu-ray

88 Films

1976 / Color / 2.35 / 82 min. / Fei long zhan / Street Date, 26 Mar 2018 / £12.99

Starring: Lo Lieh, Tony Liu, Nancy Yen, Feng Ku, Terry Liu, Chih-Ching Yang, Sha-Fei Ouyang.

Cinematography: Wai-Kei Cho

Film Editor: Hsing-Lung Chiang

Art Director: Chan-King Sam

Original Music: Fu-Ling Wang

Written by Kuang Ni

Produced by Runme Shaw

Directed by Meng Hua Ho

Guest Review by Lee Broughton

When his own physicians fail to provide him with any relief for the pain caused by the gigantic festering boil on his back,...

Guest reviewer Lee Broughton returns with coverage of two well-regarded wuxia films (period martial arts movies set in ancient China). One is an intense action flick from the Shaw Brothers Studio that places a heavy emphasis on bloody and gory depictions of swordplay. The second is a wuxia film with a difference: rather than fancy sword moves or flamboyant punching techniques, the mystical fighters attack each other with incantations and magical musical instruments.

One-Armed Swordsman

Region B Blu-ray

88 Films

1967 / Color / 2.35 / 111 min. / Du bei dao / Street Date, 26 March 2018 / £12.99

Starring: Yu Wang, Chiao Chiao, Ti Tang, Chih-Ching Yang, Feng Tien, Yin-Tze Pan, Feng Ku.

Cinematography: Yuan Chen San

Film Editor: Chiang Hsing-Loong

Art Director: Ching-Shen Chen

Original Music: Foo-Ling Wang

Written by Cheh Chang, Kuang Ni

Produced by Runme Shaw

Directed by Cheh Chang

Reviewed by Lee Broughton

The bandit leaders Long-Armed Devil (Chi-Ching Yang) and Smiling Tiger (Ti Tang) are determined...

What do you think of when you read the words “black magic”? Covens of witches? Cackling necromancers? Card games? Or maybe, you think of gross Asian horror. For over forty years, the black magic sub-genre has dominated all sorts of weird cinema discussions, encompassing a myriad of films from Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Indonesia focused on hexes, curses, and witchcraft. Since there are tons of these films out there, it can be daunting to find where to jump in, but for my money, there’s no better place to start than at the beginning, with Ho Meng Hua’s genre-defining duology, Black Magic.

Ho Meng Hua was, without a doubt, one of the oddest directors working for the fabled Shaw Brothers studio. In the 1960s, he made a quadrilogy of fantastical films based on the legendary Journey to the West, and when the ’70s rolled around, he jumped right on...

The script starts with black magician Shan Chien Mi performing a ritual for a woman who wants her adulterer husband and his mistress dead. The spell succeeds but after a while, the magician has to abandon the village he lived in, when a good magician destroys his house.

The story then changes setting and we are introduced to sultry Mrs Zhou, the widow of a construction magnate, who is set on seducing one of her employees, Xu Nuo. He, however, is engaged, and being faithful and honest, resists her aggressive flirting. Mrs Zhou also has a suitor, Liang Chia Chieh, a fortune hunter playboy, who just wants her for her money. When the two of them have a fight, Liang learns from a friend that a black magician living in the forest can help him.

Liang eventually finds him, but soon discovers that he has received much more than he has bargained for,...

Craig Lines Jul 6, 2016

From The Boxer's Omen to the genuine unpleasantness of Calamity Of Snakes, we take a look at a stomach-churning subgenre of cinema...

In 1975, Ho Meng Hua’s Black Magic cast its spell over Chinese audiences and summoned up a subgenre that produced some of the most extreme, esoteric and stomach-churning horror films of all time. Between the late 70s and early 80s, Chinese black magic movies were pumped out en masse, feeding audiences their fill of evil sorcery and twisted moralizing. The formula usually featured some poor schmuck enlisting a dark wizard to help them achieve something (more often than not, something sexual) and finding that the forces they’ve unleashed are more than they can handle. Cue the flamboyant special effects and abundant nudity.

These films took inspiration from authentic folk magic for their various spells and rituals which, sadly, means they frequently feature real animal slaughter.

http://asianmoviepulse.com/2016/01/40-ti-lung-movies-enjoy-part-12/2/ – Part 1

Ti Lung is known for his awesome catalogue of movies, over the years he was a leading star at The Shaw Brothers Studio and appeared in well over a 100 movies. I have put together a list of movies, which i have enjoyed over the years. *This is not a Top 40 list.

21.Anonymous Heroes (1971)

Cast:David Chiang, Cheng Li, Cheng Miu, Wong Chung

Director:Chang Cheh

Fight Choreographer:Lau Kar Leung, Tong Gaai

22.All Men Are Brothers (1975)

Cast:Chen Kuan Tai, David Chiang, Wong Chung, Bolo Yeung, Danny Lee, Ku Feng

Director:Chang Cheh, Wu Ma

Fight Choreographer:Tong Gaai, Lau Kar Leung, Lau Kar Wing, Chan Chuen

23.Clans Of Intrigue (1977)

Cast:Yueh Hua, Li Ching, Nora Miao, Ku Feng

Director:Chu Yuan

Fight Choreographer:Wong Pau Gei, Tong Gaai

24.Heroic Ones (1970)

Cast:David Chiang, Lily Li, Chan Sing, Chan Chuen, Ku Feng, Bolo Yeung

Director:Chang Cheh

Fight Choreographer:Lau Kar Wing,...

Ti Lung is known for his awesome catalogue of movies, over the years he was a leading star at The Shaw Brothers Studio and appeared in well over a 100 movies. I have put together a list of movies, which i have enjoyed over the years. *This is not a Top 40 list.

1.Have Sword, Will Travel (1969)

Cast:David Chiang, Li Ching, Ku Feng, Cheng Miu,

Director:Chang Cheh

Fight Choreographer:Tong Gaai, Yuen Cheung Yan

 

2.The Duel (1971)

Cast:David Chiang, Yeung Chi Hing, Yue Wai, Ku Feng

Director:Chang Cheh

Fight Choreographer:Tong Gaai, Yuen Cheung Yan

 

3.Blood Brothers (1973)

Cast:Chen Kuan Tai, David Chiang, Cheng Li, Cheng Miu, Tin Ching

Director:Chang Cheh

Fight Choreographer:Lau Kar Leung, Tong Gaai

 

4.The Sentimental Swordsman (1977)

Cast:Cheng Li, Yueh Hua, Derek Yee, Ku Feng, Fan Mei Sheng

Director:Chu Yuan

Fight Choreographer:Tong Gaai, Wong Pau Gei

 

5.The Retuen of The Sentimental Swordsman (1981)

Cast:Fu Sheng, Derek Yee,...

When it comes to listing Kung Fu/Martial Art performers in a certain order, i have to say its very difficult. Everyone mentioned below are my personal top 30 of all time, i do understand everyone will have a different take and have their own personal list, so please don’t hate me (Lol). The ones i have chosen are those who i enjoyed watching the most since I got into Kung Fu/Martial Art cinema in the early 1990’s.

So please enjoy my personal favorite top 30, those i enjoy watching the most and hope you enjoy the list.

30.Casanova Wong

29.Lee Hoi San

28.Chang Yi

27.Kwan Tak Hing

26.Chin Siu Ho

25.Yukari Oshima

24.Jean Claude Van Damme

23.Kara Hui

22.Fung Hak On

21.Ku Feng

20.Cynthia Rothrock

19.Moon Lee

18.Fu Sheng

17.Lam Ching Ying

16.Yuen Wah

15.Hwang Jang Lee

14.Johnny Wang

13.David Chiang

12.Angela Mao

11.Leung Kar Yan

10.Bruce Lee

9.Lau Kar Leung...

When I think of Wu Xia movies, I immediately think of Shaw Brothers and the many classic they have made over the years. What I love about this genre is many things, the Swordplay, The Characters, Story lines, Setting, Costumes and much more.

Wu Xia, traditionally is a form of literature. But after high demand over the years it’s become involoved in many art forms such as Movies, Opera, Video Games and beyond. This list of 30 Wu Xia movies listed, i hope you’ll like and want to thank my friend Richard Robinson for contributing to the list. If we missed any classics out, its most probably because we honestly forgot at that time or maybe we haven’t seen all the classic Wu Xia movies so far, anyway enjoy the list and let us know what you thought in the commen box at the bottom.

1.Have Sword Will Travel (1969)

Cast: David Chiang,...

When it comes to making features like this one, i love the idea of coming up with my own personal “100 Great Kung Fu Movies” of all time. It is tough choosing just 100 because you know there are many more great Kung Fu movies that are not on the list.

I understand everyone will have their own personal favorites and some may not agree with my list and that’s fine because it’s nice to have different opinions on this genre which keeps it fresh and alive when having good debates.

Anyway, thank you for taking time to have a look at my 100 Great Kung Fu movie list and feel free to add any movies in the comment box if they don’t make my list (I have probably forgotten many movies).

Number 1 is based on the choreography and overall movie which to me is a prime example of of...

When it comes to making features like this one, i love the idea of coming up with my own personal “100 Great Kung Fu Movies” of all time. It is tough choosing just 100 because you know there are many more great Kung Fu movies that are not on the list.

I have decided that to make the list, a movie must have a few hand to hand moments during fight scenes in the movies chosen. If for example its mainly sword play with one fight scene hand to hand it won’t make the list. Its old school “style” Kung Fu movies, not modern day settings.

I understand everyone will have their own personal favorites and some may not agree with my list and that’s fine because it’s nice to have different opinions on this genre which keeps it fresh and alive when having good debates.

Anyway, thank you...

When it comes to making features like this one, i love the idea of coming up with my own personal “100 Great Kung Fu Movies” of all time. It is tough choosing just 100 because you know there are many more great Kung Fu movies that are not on the list.

I have decided that to make the list, a movie must have a few hand to hand moments during fight scenes in the movies chosen. If for example its mainly sword play with one fight scene hand to hand it won’t make the list. Its old school “style” Kung Fu movies, not modern day settings.

I understand everyone will have their own personal favorites and some may not agree with my list and that’s fine because it’s nice to have different opinions on this genre which keeps it fresh and alive when having good debates.

Anyway, thank you...

When it comes to making features like this one, i love the idea of coming up with my own personal “100 Great Kung Fu Movies” of all time. It is tough choosing just 100 because you know there are many more great Kung Fu movies that are not on the list.

I have decided that to make the list, a movie must have a few hand to hand moments during fight scenes in the movies chosen. If for example its mainly sword play with one fight scene hand to hand it won’t make the list. Its old school “style” Kung Fu movies, not modern day settings.

I understand everyone will have their own personal favorites and some may not agree with my list and that’s fine because it’s nice to have different opinions on this genre which keeps it fresh and alive when having good debates.

Anyway, thank you...

What we lack more and more these days are epic fight scenes in the final part of kung Fu/Martial Art movies. We have seen less and less one on one fight scenes in the final battle over the past 15-20 years, which is a shame but we have seen recently a few flicks bringing that winning formula back.

I want to name a few of my favorite end fight scenes and please feel free to comment below, your favorite fight scenes and maybe they will be added to the future features. I only add fight scenes which i can find the clips for on youtube, so some classics might not be added to the lists.

1.Drunken Master 2 (1994)

Cast:Jackie Chan, Lau Kar Leung, Ti Lung, Anita Mui, Ken Lo, Andy Lau, Mark Houghton

Fight Choreographer: Lau Kar Leung, Jackie Chan

2.Ong Bak 2 (2008)

Cast:Tony Jaa, Nirut Sirichanya, Sorapong Chatree,...

Like millions of you around the world, i love Kung Fu movies. It is the only real genre that keeps me going back for more and that is why i will always love Kung Fu movies.

I know many of you have probably seen many of the movies i will post about, but this is also for anyone new to the genre of Kung Fu and even Swordplay and looking for other movies to enjoy. I hope you enjoy the movies i have listed and please feel free to comment about any of the movies. Part 1-9 also on the website to check out.

1.Boxer From Shantung (1972)

Studio: Shaw Brothers

Director: Chang Cheh, Pao Hsueh Lieh

Cast: Chen Kuan Tai, David Chiang, Cheng Li, Cheng Hong Yip, Ku Feng

Fight Choreographer(s): Lau Kar Leung, Lau Kar Wing, Chan Chuen, Tong Gaai

 

2.Once Upon A Time In China II (1992)

Studio: Film Workshop,...

Like millions of you around the world, i love Kung Fu movies. It is the only real genre that keeps me going back for more and that is why i will always love Kung Fu movies.

I know many of you have probably seen many of the movies i will post about, but this is also for anyone new to the genre of Kung Fu and even Swordplay and looking for other movies to enjoy. I hope you enjoy the movies i have listed and please feel free to comment about any of the movies.

 

1. Drunken Master 2 (1994)

Director: Jackie Chan, Lau Kar Leung

Cast: Jackie Chan, Lau Kar Leung, Ti Lung, Anita Mui, Andy Lau, Chin Kar Lok, Ken Lo

Fight Choreographer(s): Jackie Chan, Lau Kar Leung

Studio:  Golden Harvest

 

2. Broken Oath (1977)

Director: Jeong Chang Hwa

Cast: Michael Chan, Angela Mao, Chiu Hung, Bruce Leung, Wang Lai

Fight Choreographer(s): Hsu Hsia,...

Like millions of you around the world, i love Kung Fu movies. It is the only real genre that keeps me going back for more and that is why i will always love Kung Fu movies.

I know many of you have probably seen many of the movies i will post about, but this is also for anyone new to the genre of Kung Fu and even Swordplay and looking for other movies to enjoy. I hope you enjoy the movies i have listed and please feel free to comment about any of the movies.

1.Hell’s Wind Staff (1979)

Director: Tony Wong Yuk Long, Tony Liu Jun Guk

Cast: Hwang Jang Lee, Meng Hoi, Meng Yuen Man, Jason Pai Piao

Fight Choreographers(s): Corey Yuen, Chin Yuet Sang, Hsu Hsia, Yuen Shun Yee

Studio: Yuk Long Movies

2.Incredible Kung Fu Master (1979)

Director: Cheung Tung Cho

Cast: Sammo Hung, Tung Wei,...

Like millions of you around the world, i love Kung Fu movies. It is the only real genre that keeps me going back for more and that is why i will always love Kung Fu movies.

I know many of you have probably seen many of the movies i will post about, but this is also for anyone new to the genre of Kung Fu and even Swordplay and looking for other movies to enjoy. I hope you enjoy the movies i have listed and please feel free to comment about any of the movies.

1.Kickboxer 黃飛鴻之鬼腳七 (1993)

Director: Wu Ma

Cast: Yuen Biao, Yuen Wah, Yen Shi Kwan, Wu Ma, Shirley Lui, Tai Bo

Fight Choreographer(s): Yuen Biao, Yuen Mao

Studio: Regal Films Co. Ltd.

2.The Rebellious Reign 雍正与年羹尧 (1980)

Director: Fong Cheung

Cast: Norman Chu, Jimmy Lee Fong, Kwan Yung Moon, Chan Wai Lau, Alan Chui

Fight Choreographer...

Derek Yee has just completed filming the remake of the 1977 Shaw Brothers classic, a movie which he originally starred in. This time, he is back as Director and script-writer with Tsui hark on board as executive producer, after a period of 15 years, planning and discussion.

Lin Gengxin will play one of the main leads in the movie with Peter Ho starring as his rival. The 1977 movie, had a great cast which featured Derek Yee, Ku Feng, Ling Yun, David Chiang, Norman Chu, Ti Lung and many more.

If you haven’t seen the original, please have a look at the trailer below, good movie. The movie will most likely be released mid-late 2015.

Like millions of you around the world, i love Kung Fu movies. It is the only real genre that keeps me going back for more and that is why i will always love Kung Fu movies.

I know many of you have probably seen many of the movies i will post about, but this is also for anyone new to the genre of Kung Fu and even Swordplay and looking for other movies to enjoy. I hope you enjoy the movies i have listed and please feel free to comment about any of the movies.

1.Eagle’s Claw (1977)

Studio: Champion Films

Director: Lee Tso-Nam

Cast: Chi Kuan-Chun, Chang Yi, Don Wong Tao, Leung Kar Yan

Action Director(s): Chan Siu Pang, Tommy Lee Gam Ming

2.Broken Oath (1977)

Studio: Golden Harvest

Director: Jeong Chang Hwa

Cast: Angela Mao, Michael Chan, Chiu Hung, Bruce Leung

Action Director(s): Hsu Hsia,...

Like millions of you around the world, i love Kung Fu movies. It is the only real genre that keeps me going back for more and that is why i will always love Kung Fu movies.

I know many of you have probably seen many of the movies i will post about, but this is also for anyone new to the genre of Kung Fu and even Swordplay and looking for other movies to enjoy. I hope you enjoy the movies i have listed and please feel free to comment about any of the movies.

The Skyhawk (1974)

Studio: Golden Harvest

Director: Jeong Chang Hwa

Cast: Kwan Tak Hing, Sammo Hung, Carter Wong, Wang In Sik, Nora Miao

Action Director(s): Sammo Hung

 

Legendary Weapons of China (1982)

Studio: Shaw Brothers

Director: Lau Kar Leung

Cast: Hsiao Ho, Lau Kar Leung, Kara Hui, Gordon Liu, Lau Kar Wing, Fu Sheng

Action...

Like millions of you around the world, i love Kung Fu movies. It is the only real genre that keeps me going back for more and that is why i will always love Kung Fu movies.

I know many of you have probably seen many of the movies i will post about, but this is also for anyone new to the genre of Kung Fu and even Swordplay and looking for other movies to enjoy. I hope you enjoy the movies i have listed and please feel free to comment about any of the movies.

Avenging Eagle (1978)

Studio: Shaw Brothers

Director: Sun Chung

Cast: Ti Lung, Fu Sheng, Ku Feng, Johnny Wang, Dick Wei

Action Director(s): Tong Gaai, Wong Pau Gei

 

The Magnificent Butcher (1979)

Studio: Golden Harvest

Director: Yuen Woo Ping

Cast: Sammo Hung, Lee Hoi San, Yuen Biao, Fung Hak On, Lam Ching Ying, Chung Fat, Kwan...

The Invincible Fist

Written by Ni Kuang

Directed by Chang Cheh

Hong Kong, 1969

The Invincible Fist (Lo Lieh) is a government-assigned bounty hunter whose latest mission is to track down a quartet of thieves and murderers who collectively have gotten a hold of over 800 golden taels. Not one to venture into danger without help, the Fist, Tieh Wu-Ching being his real name, is aided by his trusty companions, chief among them his brother Tieh Er-Long (David Chiang). The villains Southern Geese (Ku Feng), Golden Abacus (Cheung Pooi-Saan), Iron Bat (Chang Sing) and the leader Ma Wai-Jia (Fang Mian) are traveling the region under the guise of simple merchants. So begins a treacherous pursuit in the typically quaint countryside.

After a stint when it seemed as though the column reviewed movies exclusively from the oft-described master of Shaw Brothers, Chang Cheh, his oeuvre was set aside to award other filmmakers an...

The Black Tavern

Written by Yip Yat-Fong

Directed by Teddy Yip Wing-Cho

Hong Kong, 1972

Sometimes, it’s best for filmmakers to toss all their eggs into one basket, to throw everything into their picture save the kitchen sink, to go out all guns blazing. When the opportunity presents itself to make something really out of the ordinary or, at the very least, a bit off-kilter when juxtaposed against the legion of competing pictures, why forsake that chance? If the final product fails to connect with viewers, the creative team may nevertheless take solace in the fact that they showed an iota of courage in avoiding complacency. Indeed, history carries with it a number of examples of extravagantly idiosyncratic productions that failed to resonate in any shape or form, Richard Kelly’s Southland Tales being an oft-cited one. In the Shaw Brothers catalogue, the sheer volume of films that more or...

Black Magic

Written by Ni Kuang

Directed by Ho Meng Hua

Hong Kong, 1975

What would life be like if, rather than face problems head on with courage, honour and a sense of duty, people opted out of showing an inkling of gut and resorted to magical tricks to sway fate in their favour? For one, laziness would settle in rather quickly, but so would be lack of acceptance towards fate and the differences that make everyone unique. Someone disagrees with a course of action? Put a spell on his or her mind. A date was stood up last night? Put a spell on his or her mind to have them fall in love. Someone at work is making life at the office a living nightmare? Cast a spell to kill them. Responsibility and respect would both get tossed to the wayside to the detriment of free will and the safety of others.

The Heroic Ones

Written by Chang Cheh and Ni Kuang

Directed by Chang Cheh

Hong Kong, 1970

Every so often one watches a film that simply must be accepted on its own terms if said viewer is to gain anything out of the experience. It has become all too facile to criticize a film for not being what the viewer wished it had been as opposed to analyzing what it is aspiring to and how. For example, not every single film will abide by the commonly understood principle that the audience needs someone to actively root for, a surrogate, a ‘good guy’ so to speak. A skilled screenwriter, director and cast can produce a solid film which tosses that idea to the wayside. That said, the film still needs to respect its own rules or adhere to some kind of logic, otherwise even the most open minded viewer will start to doubt its quality.

Judgement of an Assassin

Written by Ni Kuang

Directed by Sun Chung

Hong Kong, 1977

Vengeance, lust for power, bruised egos, noble desire to remain true to one’s better judgement, none of these carry any meaning in when people are the subject of a trial. In the court of law, justice is blind, or should be, and as such anyone who circumvented it will receive due punishment. There are, however, many creative ways to corrupt the courts themselves, thus rendering attempts at shedding light on the all important truth moot. That is when vengeance and lust for power truly carry their weight against all odds. Sun Chung directs a large scale cast of performers in Judgement of an Assassin, a rather epic legal drama and martial arts hybrid where the fighting, both verbal and physical, happens inside and outside the courts.

When they least expect it, the Golden Axe clan,...