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The Legend

Original title: Fong Sai-Yuk
  • 1993
  • R
  • 1h 46m
IMDb RATING
7.1/10
8.7K
YOUR RATING
Jet Li and Josephine Siao in The Legend (1993)
CantoneseActionComedyHistory

Martial artists join Red Lotus Flower Society to overthrow evil emperor. Governor hunts society members. Kung fu practitioner falls for merchant's daughter amid kung fu contest for her hand.... Read allMartial artists join Red Lotus Flower Society to overthrow evil emperor. Governor hunts society members. Kung fu practitioner falls for merchant's daughter amid kung fu contest for her hand. Gender role reversal comedy ensues.Martial artists join Red Lotus Flower Society to overthrow evil emperor. Governor hunts society members. Kung fu practitioner falls for merchant's daughter amid kung fu contest for her hand. Gender role reversal comedy ensues.

  • Director
    • Corey Yuen
  • Writers
    • Kin Chung Chan
    • Susan Godfrey
    • Jeffrey Lau
  • Stars
    • Jet Li
    • Josephine Siao
    • Michelle Reis
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.1/10
    8.7K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Corey Yuen
    • Writers
      • Kin Chung Chan
      • Susan Godfrey
      • Jeffrey Lau
    • Stars
      • Jet Li
      • Josephine Siao
      • Michelle Reis
    • 42User reviews
    • 34Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 3 wins & 3 nominations total

    Photos83

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    Top Cast14

    Edit
    Jet Li
    Jet Li
    • Fong Sai Yuk
    Josephine Siao
    Josephine Siao
    • Miu Chui Fa
    Michelle Reis
    Michelle Reis
    • Ting Ting
    Wenzhuo Zhao
    Wenzhuo Zhao
    • Governor of Kau Man
    Sung-Young Chen
    Sung-Young Chen
    • Tiger Lui
    Sibelle Hu
    Sibelle Hu
    • Siu-wan
    Adam Cheng
    Adam Cheng
    • Chan Ka Lok
    Kong Chu
    Kong Chu
    • Fong Tak
    Lung Chan
    Lung Chan
    • Macu
    Xian Gao
    • Support
    Tao Guo
    Tao Guo
    • Bully
    Yueming Pan
    Yueming Pan
    • Background Actor
    Yankai Yu
    Yankai Yu
    • Yu Tung
    Binglei Li
    • Ren
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Corey Yuen
    • Writers
      • Kin Chung Chan
      • Susan Godfrey
      • Jeffrey Lau
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews42

    7.18.7K
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    Featured reviews

    dragon ma young

    8 out of 10

    i didnt think this was going to be filled with humor, and the humor turned out to be HILARIOUS! i was really suprised at how funny this movie was. it could have been a comedy all by it self, it didnt even need action. but we got brilliant action, and thats awesome. one to check out.
    9mctheimer

    This is the film that made me fall in love with Hong Kong cinema

    Unless you believe that all films must be deep and meaningful, you'll love this film. For just pure entertainment, this film is hard to beat. This beats most action films out of the west. Its special effects are due totally to the stars' martial arts skills, not some gazillion dollar budget and special editing. The plot is wonderful. Besides, who can resist a film where the hero, if he's is in danger, will call on Mom to beat up the enemy? Sit back, get out the popcorn, and be prepared to be wildly entertained.
    9jed-59

    very good despite the overdub

    Believe it or not, this was the movie that introduced me to Jet Li. I was immediately hooked. I've read reviews that discredit the dub into English, but I found it easy to overlook this -- in fact, I found it to be somewhat hilarious. This film has all the makings of a great movie. There are no sub-plots that do not get resolved. The servant who always bawls whenever Jet Li's character get's set to go away for a minute or two is downright hilarious. That's one of the unique things about this movie: with so much drama they managed to make a hilarious movie, as well. As usual, the kung fu is extraordinary. In particular, there are a few scenes in which the opponents face off and the camera takes a moment to pause and let the viewer see the poses from a brilliant perspective. This will always be one of my favorite Chinese films.
    aclockworkbear

    Jet Li at his finest

    The martial arts sequences in this movie are incredible. This is one of Jet Li's best movies. It really shows of a lot of his skills, and is quite entertaining at the same time. There are a lot of fight scenes but they co-inside well with an intricate story. It's not just a fight movie.

    The story is a bit involved and there are sub-plots I have not described. But this movie is well worth buying. I wish I could get a copy of Fong Sai Yuk 2, because I would love to see more of this movie.

    Synopsis: Fong Sai Yuk is a late teen with a lot of martial arts skill, taught to him by his mother, equally as good. His father is part of a resistance against the empire. When the empire finds out that Fong Sai Yuk's father is the lead the are out for blood. Fong Sai Yuk, mean while meets and fights for a girl he wished to marry. Oh the eve of his wedding night, the empire and the Fong Family accidentally meet at the dinner table. Fighting erupts and they must fight or flee.
    7rcropperUK

    Amazing fight sequences, a must-see for kung-fu enthusiasts!

    Jet Li starred in this film shortly after making Once Upon A Time In China, and once again he kicks ass. The fight scenes are truly amazing for its time, and film is just brimming with entertainment from start to finish. The story starts off with our cheeky, smiling hero Jet Li getting into a fight with some guy over a girl, which leads to a sports competition to determine the winner, followed by some kung-fu ass whoopin. Fantastic. This film doesn't stop on the action, and although some of the humour is puzzling at times, and the soundtrack and sound effects pure hilarious, I am pleased I took the time to watch this. The story consists of Fong Sai Yuk (Jet Li) being forced into a family marriage, his romance with the girl, finding out his dad is part of some rebel movement, and protecting the whole family then on as they are on the run. Some of the choreagraphy is truly awesome, especially in one scene where Jet Li is fighting the evil govner with a small pole, wheras the govner has a huge f**k off 20 ft one. The action is superbly captured and the stunts are tremendous, and the comedy through the film is so cheesy it helps keep the film from not taking itself too seriously. There are a few stupid scenes in this, particulary one where Jet Li dresses up as a woman, and another one where Mother Fong covers her hair so people mistake her for a man (even though she has make up on and still looks like a chick). These are strange parts of the film but keeps it light hearted and I think if I had watched this film when I was a kid I would love it to bits. Kung fu enthusiasts should definately take a look at this for the action and to see Jet Li do his stuff, but it's not really one for the mainstream hollywood film lovers. Fans of Jet Li should check this out to see how how he progressed from this to classics such as Twin Warriors, Fists of Fury and the undoubtedly magnificent Hero. Mainstream film audiences should also see this so they can understand the truly aweful american martial arts films they have seen over the past decade, and appreciate some real skill and finesse from the middle east.

    More like this

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    Related interests

    In the Mood for Love (2000)
    Cantonese
    Bruce Willis and Taniel in Die Hard (1988)
    Action
    Will Ferrell in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)
    Comedy
    Liam Neeson in Schindler's List (1993)
    History

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      A comparison of the Hong Kong and American versions of Fong Sai-yuk illustrates the impact of Miramax's tinkering and its effect on the viewing experience. Directed by Corey Yuen Kuei and starring Jet Li, Fong Sai-yuk involves the youthful adventures of the titular hero, a legendary Cantonese martial artist who was trained by his mother and inspired several series of films. Miramax released its version on DVD through its Dimension label, re-titling it The Legend, cutting approximately ten minutes, and adding a new score and a English dubbed dialogue. An analysis of two sample scenes - one involving changes in music and dialogue, the other also featuring excised material - suggests that the American version is not only more taut, inoffensive, and consistent in tone than the Hong Kong original, but also offers a substantially different interpretation of character motivations and relationships. It is also simply not as funny.
    • Quotes

      Fong Sai-Yuk: [assaults "intruder"] Who are you?

      Mother Fong: [removes disguise] I'm your mother.

      Fong Sai-Yuk: Wow. Mom! You look just like a man!

      Mother Fong: Yeah, and I just won Tiger Lu's daughter's hand in marriage.

      Fong Sai-Yuk: Does Dad know?

      Mother Fong: Nooo!

    • Crazy credits
      In the original Hong Kong cut, the final scene has Tiger throwing the Red Flower scroll into the air where it unfurls. The closing credits then roll down a parchment labeled "Red Flower Society Name List", as if the entire cast and crew were members of it.
    • Alternate versions
      UK version was cut by 1 sec. for sight of real animal cruelty (horse tripped so that it falls forward onto head) due to BBFC policy and the Cinematograph Films (Animals) Act 1937.
    • Connections
      Featured in The Art of Action: Martial Arts in Motion Picture (2002)
    • Soundtracks
      Excerpts
      from The Legend of the Book and the Sword (1976)

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    FAQ17

    • How long is The Legend?Powered by Alexa
    • What are the differences between the Remastered HongKong DVD Version and the German Television Version?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • March 4, 1993 (Hong Kong)
    • Country of origin
      • Hong Kong
    • Language
      • Cantonese
    • Also known as
      • Phương Thế Ngọc
    • Production companies
      • Film Workshop
      • Eastern Productions
      • Nova Media
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 46m(106 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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