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Yip Man (2008) 8.1
Ratings:
8.1/10 from 77,426 users
Metascore: 59/100
Reviews: 113 user | 86 critic | 9 from Metacritic.com A semi-biographical account of Yip Man, the first martial arts master to teach the Chinese martial art of Wing Chun. Director:Wilson Yip |
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Title: Yip Man (2008)
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Director:
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Edit
Cast
| Credited cast: | |||
| Donnie Yen | ... | ||
| Simon Yam | ... |
Chow Ching-Chuen
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Ka Tung Lam | ... |
Captain Lei Chiu
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| Siu-Wong Fan | ... |
Jin Shan Zhao /
Kam Shan-Chau
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| Lynn Hung | ... |
Cheung Wing-Sing
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Hiroyuki Ikeuchi | ... | |
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Yu Xing | ... |
Master Zealot Lam
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Chen Zhi Hui | ... |
Master Lau
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You-Nam Wong | ... |
Sa Dam Yun
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| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
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Zhang Bo | ... |
Jin Shan Zhao's underling
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Li Chak | ... |
Yip Chun
(as Li Ze)
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Xu Chuan-Jian | ... |
Cotton Mill Worker
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Shi De-Qiang | ... |
Southern master
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Yu-Lam Fan | ... |
Cotton Mill Worker
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Wang Hui-Liang | ... |
Cotton Mill Worker
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Edit
Plot Summary
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Plot Synopsis
Storyline
In 1935 in Foshan, south China, there are martial arts schools on every street corner. Ip Man is the undisputed martial arts champion, yet he has not devoted himself to teaching. Despite this, it seems that all the kung fu masters of the city are eager to fight him to improve their reputation. Written by Riccardo Amadori
Taglines:
The celebrated Kung Fu master of Bruce Lee See more »Parents Guide:
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Details
Release Date:
12 December 2008 (China) See more »Also Known As:
Ip Man See more »Company Credits
Production Co:
Beijing ShengShi HuaRei Film Investment & Management Co., China Film Co-Production Corporation, Mandarin Films Distribution Co. See more »
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company contact information
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Technical Specs
Runtime:
Color:
ColorAspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1
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Did You Know?
Trivia
Although it's the first film centering around Yip Man, the idea of doing a Yip Man biopic have been conceived for as long as 30 years. Donnie Yen was actually slated to play Yip Man in the supposed first biopic that was about to go into production in 1997. The film would've also featured Stephen Chow playing an adult Bruce Lee. However, only one day of shooting took place before the project was canceled. See more »Goofs
In the bedroom, when Yip Man is reading, there is a modern lamp made of matte metal. See more »Quotes
Ip Man: [Facing the Northerner Ip Man adopts his combat stance with an unsettling mixture of mettle and serenity] Wing Chun, Ip Man.See more »
Excellent direction, photography and set design enliven this account of Wing Chun instructor Yip Man's life before he moved to Hong Kong. Every Wing Chun instructor today tries to make a lineage connection to Yip Man to legitimize their teaching so he is a very important figure in Kung Fu. Donnie Yen portrays the master with intense reserve and is possibly the best acting in his career. It surprised me for sure.
The story line of this film is invented as historical accounts show Yip Man to have been a police officer in the time frame this film covers, not staying at home and only practicing kung fu as depicted here. Also the film claims that he refused to teach anybody but that is also not true. He left for Hong Kong a few years after WW2 not in the middle of it as this film presents. The plot with the Japanese army seems invented although they did ask him to teach the troops which he refused.
However the film muddies up the historical record, that is not to say it isn't a great film. Sammo Hung's choreography is exceptional and a throwback to his great kung fu films of the early 1980's. The martial arts are done with great respect to traditional styles although some wire work is used to assist the actors with the difficult acrobatic moves. No flying across the room in this film.
Although the ending is a little abrupt, this is one kung fu film that can be recommended to people who don't like these films. Highly recommended.