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, Biao Yuen, Rosamund Kwan

4 wins & 4 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Jet Li	...	Wong Fei-hung
Biao Yuen	...	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

Jet Li badly damaged his knee when Wong Fei Hung jumps out of the tea shop using his umbrella. For this reason a lot of the final fight was performed while Li was in plaster, meaning he had to be doubled for some of the moves. A lot of the shots are from the waist and above, to hide his plaster.

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Goofs

Wong Fei-hung fights for several minutes under heavy rain, however when he gets kicked into his house, his clothes and hair are dry.

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Quotes

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

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Connections

Referenced in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)

User Reviews

Simply the best martial arts movie ever.

Forget the Matrix. Forget pale US imitations like Rush Hour or Romeo Must Die. This just might be the best martial arts movie ever. Not because the fight scenes are awesome (they are) and the star suitably iconic (he is). But because this is a real movie, with a real plot and a genuine cinematic feel to it. Director Tsui Hark seems to have gotten some help by the ghost of Sergio Leone, and brings an entire age to life. This is a kung fu movie made like you always wanted them to be. And it has the funniest racially stereotyped villains (white Americans!) ever put on film. 10/10. Part II is almost as good.