Iron Monkey (1993) Siu nin Wong Fei Hung ji: Tit Ma Lau (original title)

Director:

Woo-ping Yuen

Writers:

Hark Tsui (writer)
Tai-Muk Lau (writer)
(more)

Release Date:

12 October 2001 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Crime | Drama

Tagline:

Sometimes the only way to become a hero is to be an outlaw

Plot:

A doctor fights the corrupt authorities as a masked Robin Hood hero, even while another martial artist/doctor is forced to hunt for him.

Plot Keywords:

Iron Monkey | Doctor | Monk | Shaolin Monk | Robin Hood

Awards:

2 nominations

Cast

Rongguang Yu	...	Iron Monkey / Dr. Yang
Donnie Yen	...	Wong Kei-Ying
Jean Wang	...	Miss Orchid
Sze-Man Tsang	...	Wong Fei-hong
Shun-Yee Yuen	...	Chief Fox
James Wong	...	Governor
Shi-Kwan Yen	...	Royal Minister (as Yee Kwan Yan)
Fai Li	...	Virgin Assassin
Hou Hsiao	...	Scarred Assassin
Cheung Fung-Lei	...	Governor's Favorite Wife
Kwai Po Chin	...	Shaolin Monk 1
Siu Wah Chan	...	Shaolin Monk 2
Ip Choi Nam	...	Shaolin Monk 3
Mandy Chan	...	Shaolin Monk 4 (as Man-Dik Ko)
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Chi Tai Lam
Dion Lam	...	Soldier
Chih Hung Ling	...	Soldier
Mei-Yee Si
Tai Wo Tang	...	Ruffian
William Tuen	...	Fat rich guy
Kim-Ban Wong

Directed by
Woo-ping Yuen

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Tan Cheung		writer
Tai-Muk Lau		writer
Elsa Tang		writer (as Pik-yin Tang)
Hark Tsui		writer

Produced by
Quentin Tarantino	....	producer (2001 release)
Hark Tsui	....	producer

Original Music by
Chow Gam-Wing
Johnny Njo
Wai Lap Wu

Cinematography by
Chi-Wai Tam
Arthur Wong

Film Editing by
Chi Wai Chan
Angie Lam
Marco Mak

Production Design by
Ringo Cheung

Art Direction by
Ringo Cheung
Kant Leung
Wilson Lam Wai-Sum

Costume Design by
Bo-Ling Ng

Production Management
Steve Barnett	....	post-production supervisor (2001 re-release)
Lorraine Ho	....	production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Kai Keung Lai	....	assistant director
Wing-Fai Wong	....	assistant director
Shui-Fong Yip	....	assistant director

Sound Department
Shao Lung Chou	....	sound recordist
Chow Gam-Wing	....	sound editor
David C. Hughes	....	sound designer (2001 re-release)
Larry Oatfield	....	sound effects editor (2001 re-release)
Kevin Sellers	....	sound effects editor (2001 re-release)
Addison Teague	....	sound effects editor (2001 re-release)

Visual Effects by
John Follmer	....	visual effects producer: MetroLight Studios (2001 re-release)
Celia Hallquist	....	visual effects producer: MetroLight Studios (2001 re-release)
Matt Haslam	....	digital artist
James W. Kristoff	....	executive in charge of production: MetroLight Studios (2001 re-release)
Ralph Maiers	....	digital artist (2001 re-release)
Scott E. Metzger	....	cg artist: MetroLight Studios (2001 re-release)
Brad Moylan	....	digital compositor: Pixel Magic (2001 re-release)
Dobbie Schiff	....	visual effects executive producer: MetroLight Studios (2001 re-release)
Jon Terada	....	digital compositor (2001 re-release)
James David Hattin	....	senior wall replacement specialist: OCS Freeze Frame/Pixel Magic (2001 re-release) (uncredited)

Stunts
Hou Hsiao	....	stunt performer
Huan-Chiu Ku	....	action choreographer
Cheung-Yan Yuen	....	action choreographer
Shun-Yee Yuen	....	action choreographer
Woo-ping Yuen	....	action director
Donnie Yen	....	action choreographer (uncredited)

Camera and Electrical Department
Lam Chow	....	gaffer
Man-Ching Ng	....	gaffer

Music Department
Joanie Diener	....	supervising music editor (2001 re-release)
Michael Dittrick	....	music editor (2001 re-release)
Sharyn Gersh	....	music editor (as Sharyn M. Tylk)

Other crew
Raymond Chow	....	presenter
Jun-Kit Lai	....	story editor
Raymond Lee	....	planning
Ying-Hsiang Wang	....	presenter

Production Companies

• Film Workshop
• Golden Harvest Company
• Long Shong Pictures
• Paragon Films Ltd.

Distributors

• Gala Film Distribution (1993) (Hong Kong) (theatrical)
• Buena Vista International (2002) (Argentina) (all media)
• Gativideo (2002) (Argentina) (VHS)
• Golden Harvest Company (1993) (Hong Kong) (all media)
• Hong Kong Legends (2002) (UK) (DVD)
• Miramax Films (2001) (USA) (subtitled)
• Thundermedia (????) (Taiwan) (DVD)

Special Effects

• Cinefex Workshop Co. Ltd.
• MetroLight Studios

Other Companies

• Cine Art Laboratory  film stock supplied by
• Fine Art Film Production Company  subtitles
• Golden Harvest Company  post-production sound studio
• Micdi Productions  music editorial
• Salon Films  camera and lighting equipment supplied by
• True Technic Ltd.  post-production sound studio

Also Known As:

"Siu nin Wong Fei Hung ji: Tit Ma Lau" - Hong Kong (original title)
"Iron Monkey: The Young Wong Fei Hong" - Hong Kong (English title) (literal English title)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for martial arts action/violence and brief sexuality

Runtime:

90 min | USA:85 min

Country:

Hong Kong

Language:

Cantonese

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS (US version) | Dolby Digital (US version) | Mono (original release) | SDDS (US version)

Certification:

Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Canada:G (Quebec) | Canada:PG | Ireland:15 | UK:12 | USA:PG-13 | Singapore:PG | Finland:K-15 (2006) | South Korea:15

Company:

Film Workshop

Trivia:

The part of the young Wong Fei-Hung is played by Tsang Sze-Man, a talented martial artist, and also a girl.

Goofs:

Continuity: In the Iron Monkey's first fight with the witch, she cuts off his braid of hair. However, in some scenes after the fight, it's there again, and in some scenes, it isn't.

Quotes:

Iron Monkey:[dubbed and subtitled versions] Don't take things too seriously, and you will always be at ease.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in The Making of 'Kill Bill' (2003) (TV)

Yuen Woo Ping on speed

I have three words for this movie: Yuen Woo Ping.

This movie is action packed with Ping's trademark unique fighting sequences. Whether it's bodies slamming through tables, hopping from roof to rooftop, there's so much action, then story, then more action!!! Donnie Yen's martial arts is impressive and his character is very straight to the point, but very noble. Guang as Dr. Yang is heroic as well and plays his dual role very well. Most of best battles have both men sharing the screen with lightning speed quickness!! Tsang is good as young Wong Fei Hung and the beautiful Jean Wang is visually pleasing to watch as Miss Ho (who can also whoop butt). Master Fox provides funny moments too.

Overall, the main emphasis here is the martial arts. The bad guys are very bad (including one deadly renegade monk) and the action is intense. Besides "shadowless kicks" and "King Kong fists", weapons used vary from staffs & swords to umbrellas, benches, and very sharp tacks (OUCH!) The finale is mind-blowing and is like nothing I've ever seen before.