MARTIAL ARTS MOVIES

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I've got two questions for you, fellow martial arts movies nerds:thumbsup:!

First: do you know of a pre-88 wuxia/kung-fu movie which featured the following final scene:
Two heroines were fighting the Big Bad Evil guy (who wasn't actually too big, and possibly had a minion/lieutenant...at the start) near some kind of structure. Maybe a wall? What matters is, they were occasionally jumping up and down on different levels of the wall.
Mostly they fought unarmed, or with short weapons. Possibly daggers were employed.
Maybe there was just a single heroine at the start? I seem to remember someone switching loyalties. Might be me mixing it with other movies, too.
Another thing I'm sure is, after they won, the heroines got to see a peasant/popular uprising. Against the emperor? Against some local official? Don't really remember.
The cast was all-Chinese. Unless they were Koreans or something? I was too young to know the difference.
Also, maybe there was a love interest of one of the heroines, but he got offed earlier? Or during the fight? The BBEG was very evil!

Yes, I'm trying to find a movie I watched when really young...and never managed to. Me being rather young (I suspect it might be a pre-85 production, even) doesn't help with me being a fountain of info, though.
But then we can restrict the possible time of its production:shade:.


And then I need a list of kids-friendly martial arts movies. I've got Karate Kid and The Three Little Ninja(s) on my list...:grin:

And that's all I can remember. Never was into kids-friendly stuff*, myself. But then I don't want to show the kids way too much bones-breaking, either. Not until I can be sure they wouldn't try it on each other:tongue:.

*I used to consider Rocky "kids-friendly", because nobody was breaking hands nor using weapons, and actually, nobody even got killed! A rarity for my movies in those days.
As a result, applying what I'd seen in movies without checking the possible results first, was a mistake I'd only done once (and luckily, nobody died:gunslinger:).
 
And then I need a list of kids-friendly martial arts movies. I've got Karate Kid and The Three Little Ninja(s) on my list...:grin:

And that's all I can remember. Never was into kids-friendly stuff*, myself. But then I don't want to show the kids way too much bones-breaking, either. Not until I can be sure they wouldn't try it on each other:tongue:.

*I used to consider Rocky "kids-friendly", because nobody was breaking hands nor using weapons, and actually, nobody even got killed! A rarity for my movies in those days.
As a result, applying what I'd seen in movies without checking the possible results first, was a mistake I'd only done once (and luckily, nobody died:gunslinger:).
I don't know about the first, but check out the bulk of Jackie Chan's Hollywood output. The Tuxedo, The Accidental Spy, Shanghai Noon/Knights, Rush Hour and sequels. And of course, The Forbidden Kingdom. Which has a great bit of movie martial arts jazz in the semi improvised fight scene between Jackie and Jet Li.
 
If it wasn't for the date I'd say it sounds like The Heroic Trio. But that was 1993.
Well, I might be wrong about the date, though it's unlikely to be by that much...:smile:
But the movie I remember was distinctly historical China, so it's not The Heroic Trio:wink:. Still, good call, and thank you!

I'm thinking maybe one of these might be it?

 
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Well, I might be wrong about the date, though it's unlikely to be by that much...:smile:
But the movie I remember was distinctly historical China, so it's not The Heroic Trio:wink:. Still, good call, and thank you!

I'm thinking maybe one of these might be it?

The Lady Hermit has some of the elements you describe, but doesn't quite match up. I remember it mostly relying on sword-fighting rather than fighting unarmed. I suppose it is possible it is the movie you are talking about the details have mutated over time in your imagination. Then again, maybe I am confused. Being a regular on Brendan's podcast has meant that I have watched so many wuxia movies in a short period of time that they blur together for me sometimes.

Either way, that's a really good one, so you should watch it.

I haven't seen Golden Swallow yet, so I can't say about that one.
 
I agree with Adam it sounds a lot like Lady Hermit. But the whole uprising against the emperor, definitely not lady hermit. Will try to think of a movie that fits the description though. Is it possible you blended two films together from something you saw a long time ago ?
 
Golden Swallow is awesome, but it features just one heroine, Golden Swallow (who takes a bit of a back seat to the Silver Roc character).
 
I agree with Adam it sounds a lot like Lady Hermit. But the whole uprising against the emperor, definitely not lady hermit. Will try to think of a movie that fits the description though. Is it possible you blended two films together from something you saw a long time ago ?
No. I might be misremembering something, like details about weapons, or just having them fuzzy...but somehow, this was (obviously supposed to be) a touching moment after all the fighting. One of the girls (or maybe the only one, if the other was a guy - that part wasn't the most important one to me back then) said something about how she'd lost, or lost her love, or whatever... I think because of someone who's been killed.
The other surviving winner/protagonist? answered something corny along the lines of "but the people can now be happy/throw off the unrighteous rulers/you get the idea".

And it was the only kung-fu movie about Ancient China I'd seen back at the time, growing up in a communists-ruled state (given the complicated relationship between USSR and China, not really surprising and at the time there were quite a bit of restrictions on martial arts).
And violent movies were very restricted. This one? I've seen it in the "late night movies" (which were, amusingly, all about presenting the finest examples of movies from all over the world, often crime- or war-related).
So there simply isn't that much to mistake it with.

Almost unrelated musing regarding the above explanation: sometimes, I'm tempted to run a game about martial artists in Bulgaria during the 80ies. But then I come to my senses:grin:!
 
Almost unrelated musing regarding the above explanation: sometimes, I'm tempted to run a game about martial artists in Bulgaria during the 80ies. But then I come to my senses:grin:!
Genius and madness are twin sisters.
 
Genius and madness are twin sisters.
True, but I prefer knowing which one I'm going to bed with. I know they're into threesomes, but I prefer resisting THAT temptation as long as possible.
 
No. I might be misremembering something, like details about weapons, or just having them fuzzy...but somehow, this was (obviously supposed to be) a touching moment after all the fighting. One of the girls (or maybe the only one, if the other was a guy - that part wasn't the most important one to me back then) said something about how she'd lost, or lost her love, or whatever... I think because of someone who's been killed.
The other surviving winner/protagonist? answered something corny along the lines of "but the people can now be happy/throw off the unrighteous rulers/you get the idea".

And it was the only kung-fu movie about Ancient China I'd seen back at the time, growing up in a communists-ruled state (given the complicated relationship between USSR and China, not really surprising and at the time there were quite a bit of restrictions on martial arts).
And violent movies were very restricted. This one? I've seen it in the "late night movies" (which were, amusingly, all about presenting the finest examples of movies from all over the world, often crime- or war-related).
So there simply isn't that much to mistake it with.

Almost unrelated musing regarding the above explanation: sometimes, I'm tempted to run a game about martial artists in Bulgaria during the 80ies. But then I come to my senses:grin:!

I feel your sense of frustration Asen. I can't think of a movie that has all those things. But I do definitely recommend lady Hermit. Great film, with some classic scenes. When I was a kid I remember the first time I tried to see a Bruce Lee movie on TV. All my friends had been talking about this amazing guy who died mysteriously and was some kind of action god. And then they were going to play one of his movies on television. But Bruce Lee wasn't in it at all (not that I knew at the time, but this was definitely not a Bruce Lee movie). All I remember is a hero with a mustache choking someone out on a beach. Haven't been able to find the movie since.
 
I feel your sense of frustration Asen. I can't think of a movie that has all those things. But I do definitely recommend lady Hermit. Great film, with some classic scenes. When I was a kid I remember the first time I tried to see a Bruce Lee movie on TV. All my friends had been talking about this amazing guy who died mysteriously and was some kind of action god. And then they were going to play one of his movies on television. But Bruce Lee wasn't in it at all (not that I knew at the time, but this was definitely not a Bruce Lee movie). All I remember is a hero with a mustache choking someone out on a beach. Haven't been able to find the movie since.
I'm planning to see Lady Hermit as soon as it becomes available:smile:!

For your query, have you checked the Richard Norton movies? He used to sport a moustache, I think, at some point in his life:wink:.
And there's Ken Norton, too, who might have played said hero and definitely had one.

I'd presume you'd have recognized Hulk Hogan, though he'd cover both the mustache part and the beach part:grin:!
 
I'm planning to see Lady Hermit as soon as it becomes available:smile:!

For your query, have you checked the Richard Norton movies? He used to sport a moustache, I think, at some point in his life:wink:.
And there's Ken Norton, too, who might have played said hero and definitely had one.

I'd presume you'd have recognized Hulk Hogan, though he'd cover both the mustache part and the beach part:grin:!

I will be on the lookout for Bruce-ploitation starring the Hulktser :smile:

I actually interviewed Ken Norton once. No mention of the role whatsoever.
 
Ken Norton the great boxer?
Yes, the former* boxer. He has shot movies after hanging the gloves, it seems:smile:.

*Assuming such a thing as a "former" boxer/martial artist/whatever exists, which I'm not quite sure about:wink:.
 
So I saw that Netflix has a documentary called Iron Fists and Kung Fu Kicks. It's about the rise of martial arts films, and how they affected culture outside of China, etc. I haven't watched it yet, but likely will next weekend.

 
Earlier in the thread, I mentioned watching Master of the Drunken Fist: Beggar So. Turns out HBO Asia has made three movies based on members of the Ten Tigers. Beggar So, Master of the Shadowless Kick: Wong Kei-Ying, and Master of the White Crane Fist: Wong Yan-Lam. I've seen the first two via KissAsian previously, and liked them. They're not great movies, but still enjoyable.

I don't have cable, just internet. I use Comcast, and they have Xfinity Streaming. I can't use it on my Roku, but can via my laptop. Turns out all 3 are free to watch on this, so I'm checking out Won Yan-Lam now. They also did one called Master of the Nine Dragon Fist: Wong Ching-Ho (which isn't available, sad to say). I think it's cool they're doing movies based on the 10 Tigers. Seems Wong Fei Hung and Fong Sai-Yuk get all the cinematic glory. Hope they do more of these films as I wouldn't mind seeing one for each Tiger, then finally a team up movie. In some ways, they're the original Avengers :tongue:

Here's trailers for the first 3 (can't find one for the last film)



 
Earlier in the thread, I mentioned watching Master of the Drunken Fist: Beggar So. Turns out HBO Asia has made three movies based on members of the Ten Tigers. Beggar So, Master of the Shadowless Kick: Wong Kei-Ying, and Master of the White Crane Fist: Wong Yan-Lam. I've seen the first two via KissAsian previously, and liked them. They're not great movies, but still enjoyable.

I don't have cable, just internet. I use Comcast, and they have Xfinity Streaming. I can't use it on my Roku, but can via my laptop. Turns out all 3 are free to watch on this, so I'm checking out Won Yan-Lam now. They also did one called Master of the Nine Dragon Fist: Wong Ching-Ho (which isn't available, sad to say). I think it's cool they're doing movies based on the 10 Tigers. Seems Wong Fei Hung and Fong Sai-Yuk get all the cinematic glory. Hope they do more of these films as I wouldn't mind seeing one for each Tiger, then finally a team up movie. In some ways, they're the original Avengers :tongue:

Here's trailers for the first 3 (can't find one for the last film)





All those providers are inaccessible outside America.

Side note on Wong Fei-Hung, I believe he's got.more movies about him than any other character in cinema. Over 120 of them as I understand it.
 
I'm pretty sure the Beggar So movie is on Youtube with english subs. I don't think Wong Kei-Ying is though. I know Wong Yan-Lam isn't, as I looked before posting.

IIRC, Kwan Tak-Hing starred om at least 77 Wong Fei Hung movies during his career, and also played him in Sammo Hung's Magnificent Butcher & Yuen Biao's Dreadnaught. According to Wikipedia, there is 123 films based on Wong Fei Hung. Not to mention tv shows based on him as well
 
I watched two movies on Saturday, both Shaw Brothers films. First was The Kung Fu Instructor starring Ti Lung. I read it was supposed to be an homage to Yojimbo. I liked it, but it seemed a bit weaker than other Shaw Brother movies I've seen.

The second film was Challenge of the Masters. I'd seen it before, which I realized after I started it. However, I enjoyed it better this time around. It stars Gordon Liu as Wong Fei Hung, and features Lau Kar-Leung, who also directed it. Why did I enjoy it more this time around? Leung's family practices Hung Gar, which their father learned from Lam Sai-Wing (aka the Magnificent Butcher). Lam was a student of none other than Wong Fei Hung himself. During the movie, the two fight, so seeing someone who actually knows martial arts from Hung's school lineage fighting someone playing Fei Hung is kind of cool. Leung did so again in Drunken Master II, when he and Jackie Chan (playing Fei Hung) fight under a stationary locomotive train. It's knowing things like this that can make me enjoy a film even more.

The only downside was both films only had English dubbing. I really want to see Challenge with subtitles.
 
Recently watched Ode to Gallantry, which had Kuo Chue (aka Lizard from Five Deadly Venoms) in a dual lead role here. It's based on a Jin Yong store, and has some funny parts as there is a lot of mistaken identity going on with Kuo's two characters. Some well done fights scenes, but it's not on par with the Venom Mob's earlier work (Scorpion and #6 are also in the movie). At least it was subtitled. Started to watch Dirty Ho with Gordon Liu, but it's also comedic, so I wasn't in the mood for two such films in a row. Plus it was dubbed. So I switched to Bastard Swordsman, which I'm liking so far
 
Finished Bastard Swordsman. Good story, and had not one, but two secret techniques featured (which were related). I keep seeing the actor who was Scorpion (Sun Chien, iirc) in supporting roles in all these films I'm seeing lately. Case in point: After Bastard Swordsman, I watched What Price Honesty?, which is an excellent film. It's darker/harsher than most of the films I've seen. It revolves around 3 new constables trying to do the right thing when everyone else they work with is corrupt. The fights are minimal until the latter part of the film, when the main character of the three makes one last, blood fueled attempt at seeing justice done. I was bummed by the ending, but as I thought about it, it fit. I love it when a movie makes you think about the ending like that
 
So not a martial arts movie, but the Hollywood theater is going to be showing John Woo's The Killer. Why is this awesome? John Woo is going to be there, and do a Q&A after the movie! This was the first Woo film I ever saw, so I hope I can score tickets (which go on sale on Friday). It will be so worth the 25 - 30 bucks just to see John Woo in person
 
Finished Bastard Swordsman. Good story, and had not one, but two secret techniques featured (which were related). I keep seeing the actor who was Scorpion (Sun Chien, iirc) in supporting roles in all these films I'm seeing lately. Case in point: After Bastard Swordsman, I watched What Price Honesty?, which is an excellent film. It's darker/harsher than most of the films I've seen. It revolves around 3 new constables trying to do the right thing when everyone else they work with is corrupt. The fights are minimal until the latter part of the film, when the main character of the three makes one last, blood fueled attempt at seeing justice done. I was bummed by the ending, but as I thought about it, it fit. I love it when a movie makes you think about the ending like that

What Price Honesty? is one of my favorite martial arts movies
 
What Price Honesty? is one of my favorite martial arts movies

I love the story being told in it. The overwhelming amount of corruption going on, and yet someone still tries to make a difference. The fight scenes were very well done too. Not overtly flashy, but still cinematic.
 
I love the story being told in it. The overwhelming amount of corruption going on, and yet someone still tries to make a difference. The fight scenes were very well done too. Not overtly flashy, but still cinematic.

If you haven't seen them, you might like Killer Constable and Soul of Sword (both are pretty dark).
 
If you haven't seen them, you might like Killer Constable and Soul of Sword (both are pretty dark).

I've seen Soul (I watched it a few weeks after you suggested it when you started the thread). Killer Constable is in my watch list, and I think I'll move it to the front. Looks like the same actor who was the lead in What Price Honesty is in this one too.. As an aside, are these movies proper inspiration for the game you worked on for Osprey?
 
I've seen Soul (I watched it a few weeks after you suggested it when you started the thread). Killer Constable is in my watch list, and I think I'll move it to the front. Looks like the same actor who was the lead in What Price Honesty is in this one too.. As an aside, are these movies proper inspiration for the game you worked on for Osprey?

Yes, pretty much any wuxia film that had dark themes or Gu Long-like eccentric characters. This is the list of movies we were trying to emulate (may have forgotten to include a couple):

The Twin Swords (1965), The One-Armed Swordsman (1967), A Touch of Zen (1971), Duel for Gold (1971), Finger of Doom(1972), The Delightful Forest (1972), Intimate Confessions of a Chinese Courtesan (1973), Killer Clans (1976), Magic Blade(1976), Web of Death (1976), Master of the Flying Guillotine (1976), Sentimental Swordsman (1977), Death Duel (1977), Broken Oath (1977), Crippled Avengers (1978), Magnificent Bodyguards (1978), Soul of the Sword (1978), Swordsman and the Enchantress (1978), Last Hurrah for Chivalry (1979), Bat without Wings (1980), Heroes Shed No Tears (1980), Killer Constable (1980), What Price Honesty? (1981), Bloody Parrot (1981), Masked Avengers (1981), Human Lanterns(1982), Jade Dagger Ninja (1982), Opium and the Kung Fu Master (1984), New Dragon Gate Inn (1992), The Bride With White Hair (1993), Deadful Melody (1994), The Blade (1995), The Duel (2000), Legend of the Black Scorpion (2006), Reign of Assassins (2010), Dragon/Wuxia (2011), The Four Trilogy (2012-2014), and Sword Master (2016).
 
If you haven't seen them, you might like Killer Constable and Soul of Sword (both are pretty dark).
Thank you for the recommendation:thumbsup:!
Yes, pretty much any wuxia film that had dark themes or Gu Long-like eccentric characters. This is the list of movies we were trying to emulate (may have forgotten to include a couple):

The Twin Swords (1965), The One-Armed Swordsman (1967), A Touch of Zen (1971), Duel for Gold (1971), Finger of Doom(1972), The Delightful Forest (1972), Intimate Confessions of a Chinese Courtesan (1973), Killer Clans (1976), Magic Blade(1976), Web of Death (1976), Master of the Flying Guillotine (1976), Sentimental Swordsman (1977), Death Duel (1977), Broken Oath (1977), Crippled Avengers (1978), Magnificent Bodyguards (1978), Soul of the Sword (1978), Swordsman and the Enchantress (1978), Last Hurrah for Chivalry (1979), Bat without Wings (1980), Heroes Shed No Tears (1980), Killer Constable (1980), What Price Honesty? (1981), Bloody Parrot (1981), Masked Avengers (1981), Human Lanterns(1982), Jade Dagger Ninja (1982), Opium and the Kung Fu Master (1984), New Dragon Gate Inn (1992), The Bride With White Hair (1993), Deadful Melody (1994), The Blade (1995), The Duel (2000), Legend of the Black Scorpion (2006), Reign of Assassins (2010), Dragon/Wuxia (2011), The Four Trilogy (2012-2014), and Sword Master (2016).
OK, now I really need to sit down and pre-order that game:shade:!
 
Yes, pretty much any wuxia film that had dark themes or Gu Long-like eccentric characters. This is the list of movies we were trying to emulate (may have forgotten to include a couple):

The Twin Swords (1965), The One-Armed Swordsman (1967), A Touch of Zen (1971), Duel for Gold (1971), Finger of Doom(1972), The Delightful Forest (1972), Intimate Confessions of a Chinese Courtesan (1973), Killer Clans (1976), Magic Blade(1976), Web of Death (1976), Master of the Flying Guillotine (1976), Sentimental Swordsman (1977), Death Duel (1977), Broken Oath (1977), Crippled Avengers (1978), Magnificent Bodyguards (1978), Soul of the Sword (1978), Swordsman and the Enchantress (1978), Last Hurrah for Chivalry (1979), Bat without Wings (1980), Heroes Shed No Tears (1980), Killer Constable (1980), What Price Honesty? (1981), Bloody Parrot (1981), Masked Avengers (1981), Human Lanterns(1982), Jade Dagger Ninja (1982), Opium and the Kung Fu Master (1984), New Dragon Gate Inn (1992), The Bride With White Hair (1993), Deadful Melody (1994), The Blade (1995), The Duel (2000), Legend of the Black Scorpion (2006), Reign of Assassins (2010), Dragon/Wuxia (2011), The Four Trilogy (2012-2014), and Sword Master (2016).

What game did you work on? I love some of the movies mentioned.
 
What game did you work on? I love some of the movies mentioned.

I co-designed Righteous Blood, Ruthless Blades with Jeremy "Deathblade" Bai, which is being published by Osprey (hopefully coming out in the fall).

Also, I published Wandering Heroes of Ogre Gate and Strange Tales of Songling (the former is wuxia, the latter is Chinese horror with some martial arts------like you might see in a film like A Chinese Ghost Story).
 
So not a martial arts movie, but the Hollywood theater is going to be showing John Woo's The Killer. Why is this awesome? John Woo is going to be there, and do a Q&A after the movie! This was the first Woo film I ever saw, so I hope I can score tickets (which go on sale on Friday). It will be so worth the 25 - 30 bucks just to see John Woo in person

And sadly, it sold out before I could get tickets :sad:
 
This fight scene from Millionaires' Express is some high camp but while Sammo is as great as always I'm particularly impressed by Cynthia who never looked this good imo in her US films. Probably due to Sammo's direction and fight choreography. Her talents were largely wasted in those low budget US films where she was usually the only reason to watch.

 
All those providers are inaccessible outside America.

Side note on Wong Fei-Hung, I believe he's got.more movies about him than any other character in cinema. Over 120 of them as I understand it.
That's because he's the Chinese version of Captain America. He's considered a national hero, although there's some debate if he really existed. His father Wong Kei-ying was part of a group known as the Ten Tigers of Canton, the originators of the Hung Gar style of Gong Fu. I think he was part of the Black Tiger school? I could be wrong on that one.
 
This fight scene from Millionaires' Express is some high camp but while Sammo is as great as always I'm particularly impressed by Cynthia who never looked this good imo in her US films. Probably due to Sammo's direction and fight choreography. Her talents were largely wasted in those low budget US films where she was usually the only reason to watch.


It's really entertaining scene on a number of levels:thumbsup:.
For me, one of the most entertaining aspects of watching it was how he started the fight with the "villain from pre-Bruce Lee 70ies movie" style, and then switched to the "Bolo Yeung with sidekicks" style mid-fight, circa the 0:45 mark, with immediately obvious results...:shade:
 
It's really entertaining scene on a number of levels:thumbsup:.
For me, one of the most entertaining aspects of watching it was how he started the fight with the "villain from pre-Bruce Lee 70ies movie" style, and then switched to the "Bolo Yeung with sidekicks" style mid-fight, circa the 0:45 mark, with immediately obvious results...:shade:

Hung is an under-appreciated pop genius in the West.
 
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