Once Upon a Time in China (1991)
"Wong Fei Hung" (original title)

Set in late 19th century Canton this martial arts film depicts the stance taken by the legendary martial arts hero Wong Fei-Hung (1847-1924) against foreign forces' (English, French and ... See full summary »

Director:

Hark Tsui

Writers:

Yiu Ming Leung, Elsa Tang,

Stars:

Jet Li, Yuen Biao, Rosamund Kwan

4 wins & 4 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Jet Li	...	Wong Fei-hung
Yuen Biao	...	Leung Fu
Rosamund Kwan	...	Aunt Yee
Jacky Cheung	...	Buck Teeth Soh
Steve Tartalia	...	Tiger
Kent Cheng	...	Porky Lang
Jonathan Isgar	...	Jackson
Shi-Kwan Yen	...	Iron Robe Yim (as Yee Kwan Yan)
Mark King	...	British general
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Bruce Fontaine	...	Policeman
Shun Lau	...	Naval Commander
Kien Shih	...	Old man who gives advise (Cameo)
Yuan-fa Tsao
Chien-Po Tsen
Chi Yeung Wong	...	Commander Man

Storyline

Set in late 19th century Canton this martial arts film depicts the stance taken by the legendary martial arts hero Wong Fei-Hung (1847-1924) against foreign forces' (English, French and American) plundering of China. When Aunt Yee arrives back from America totally westernised, Wong Fei-Hung assumes the role of her protector. This proves to be difficult when his martial arts school and local militia become involved in fierce battles with foreign and local government. As violence escalates even Aunt Yee has to question her new western ideals, but is it possible to fight guns with Kung Fu?

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Plot Keywords:

martial arts | school | fight | violence | kung fu | 

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Taglines:

Never was a Hero needed more...

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Drama | History

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violence

Details

Country:

Hong Kong

Language:

Cantonese English

Release Date:

15 August 1991 (Hong Kong)

Also Known As:

Once Upon a Time in China

Company Credits

Production Co:

Golden Harvest Company, Film Workshop

Technical Specs

Runtime:

134 min 95 min (cut) 99 min (cut)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Wong Fei-hung was a famous practitioner of hung gar kung fu, although the techniques Jet Li uses are mostly of the long fist method and tai chi.

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Goofs

When Wong Fei-Hung jumps off the tea-house, while kicking the Shaho gang leader, it is quite clearly another actor (Xiong Xin Xin).

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Quotes

Yim: No matter how good our kung-fu is, it will never defeat guns.

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Connections

Followed by Wong Fei Hung II - Nam yi dong ji keung (1992)

User Reviews

There's more to martial arts cinema than arthouse self-indulgence or slapstick comedy

Watched this again as an antidote to "The One". Jet Li's done some good films, some TERRIBLE films, and then again he's done a few genuine epics, like the Once upon a time in China series. These films are also among the best work of Tsui Hark.

The modern Wong Fei-Hung series contains elements of humour without being just broad slapstick (if you want kung fu comedy, rent a Jackie Chan film), but are mostly films about a troubled China where traditional values are being overwhelmed by Western style and influence. Iron-Robe Yim's line "you can't fight bullets with kung fu" resonates achingly with the failed boxer rebellion, during which chi-gung practitioners mistakenly believed they were protected from foreign guns.

Wong Fei-Hung's struggle to find an honourable, peaceful path through the collision between cultures should strike a chord with anyone who has moved on from chop-socky and realises that a kung fu movie can feature a great story as well as great cinematography.