I viewed this movie 25 years ago, when it was screened at the Singapore International Film Festival. Director Shirley Sun was on hand to introduce her film, a beautifully-rendered autobiographical work made more meaningful by having the author Mark Salzman play himself. It's an engaging tale of a young American and a fan of kung fu movies, who goes to China to teach English and learns Wushu (martial arts in Chinese) in the process. The entire cast is charming, and so is the city of Hangzhou where the movie was shot. This movie would be perfect as a double feature with Ang Lee's Pushing Hands, also about Wushu and cultural differences.
8 Reviews
Realism and thoughtfulness
tsnake16 February 2001
One of my best friends introduced this book to me around 1988 or so. I read it and loved it... 1990 came and I was in NY going to college when this premiered in NYC. I couldn't make it to the city to see it and I was sorely saddened.
Eventually I did get a chance to see it in a more "artsy" theater and was happy to go. It's NOT a flashy high production value movie, but still the filming was as good as I'd expect, or even demand for this film.
My original interest in the topic had more to do with the kung fu aspect of it, and for that you won't be let down, unless you NEED flash. There aren't fight scenes beyond the typical training and sparring, all of which are impressive and real. Seeing the young boy in the training hall execute such awe inspiring techniques and Master Pan being a hard-ass was excellent.
The love interest theme was a draw too. My memory of the book (sitting on my shelf at home unread for a loooong time) is thin, so I don't recall how deep it went.
It was short, but I like long movies.
I also bought the VHS of this movie.
Eventually I did get a chance to see it in a more "artsy" theater and was happy to go. It's NOT a flashy high production value movie, but still the filming was as good as I'd expect, or even demand for this film.
My original interest in the topic had more to do with the kung fu aspect of it, and for that you won't be let down, unless you NEED flash. There aren't fight scenes beyond the typical training and sparring, all of which are impressive and real. Seeing the young boy in the training hall execute such awe inspiring techniques and Master Pan being a hard-ass was excellent.
The love interest theme was a draw too. My memory of the book (sitting on my shelf at home unread for a loooong time) is thin, so I don't recall how deep it went.
It was short, but I like long movies.
I also bought the VHS of this movie.
Straight forward and involving
jordondave-2808523 April 2023
(1991) Iron And Silk
DOCU-DRAMA
Adapted from the Mark Salzman book detailing his experiences while he was working in China as an English teacher. What's interesting is the fact that both Mark and the Chinese martial arts teacher he bonds with by the name of Pan Qingfu are also playing themselves. Pan Qingfu has also been in other movies including Jet Lee's first martial arts movie called "The Shaolin Temple" made in 1981. One of the most semi-accuate docu-drama's about the culture of China during that time. And although, the acting is not Oscar worthy, there are many fascinating factions happening throughout. This is probably the mature realistic version of "The Karate Kid".
Adapted from the Mark Salzman book detailing his experiences while he was working in China as an English teacher. What's interesting is the fact that both Mark and the Chinese martial arts teacher he bonds with by the name of Pan Qingfu are also playing themselves. Pan Qingfu has also been in other movies including Jet Lee's first martial arts movie called "The Shaolin Temple" made in 1981. One of the most semi-accuate docu-drama's about the culture of China during that time. And although, the acting is not Oscar worthy, there are many fascinating factions happening throughout. This is probably the mature realistic version of "The Karate Kid".
One of my favorite films ever
fineanimal20 February 2005
I saw this film on VHS in the early 1990's, and it made a big impression on me in three ways: appreciation of cultural differences between East and West, appreciation of martial arts, and the lingering sadness that political stupidity could prevent two average people who loved each other from being together. Although I only saw the film once back then, I regarded it as one of the best films I'd ever seen because it made such a lasting impression. It even taught me to say "How are you?" and "Thank you" in Chinese, which remain the only Chinese language I know to this day! So I waited with patience of a martial arts master for it to become available on DVD. Finally, in 2005, I was rewarded with the DVD release, and it was every bit as good as I'd remembered.
As others have mentioned, it is not a flashy Hollywood-type film. Almost the entire movie seems to be filmed through a thin fog that emphasizes this was filmed on location in China (and that's a good thing). Only a full-screen version seemed to be available, yet I don't feel like anything was lost. Even the spectacular martial arts training scenes fit well withing the frame. Watching those Chinese children perform with the skill of seasoned veterans is awe-inspiring, and humbling.
This is one of my favorite movies of all time, and I couldn't be happier to own it on DVD. It's a shame there are no special features to tell more about how the film was made, what was real and what was fiction, etc. Even so, I can't recommend this film strongly enough. 10/10.
As others have mentioned, it is not a flashy Hollywood-type film. Almost the entire movie seems to be filmed through a thin fog that emphasizes this was filmed on location in China (and that's a good thing). Only a full-screen version seemed to be available, yet I don't feel like anything was lost. Even the spectacular martial arts training scenes fit well withing the frame. Watching those Chinese children perform with the skill of seasoned veterans is awe-inspiring, and humbling.
This is one of my favorite movies of all time, and I couldn't be happier to own it on DVD. It's a shame there are no special features to tell more about how the film was made, what was real and what was fiction, etc. Even so, I can't recommend this film strongly enough. 10/10.
A True Kung-Fu Story
youneedsome2 August 2003
This is a film about a young man who finds himself visiting China just after China was opened to the west. Mark Salzman plays himself in this autobiographical film about his cross-cultural adventure overseas. 'Teacher Mark' teaches English and wants to study kung-fu under Master Pan, a kung-fu legend even in America, who was immortalized in movies. Master Pan's reluctance to teach him kung-fu drives him even more and the friendship that develops between them provides substance for this movie. A love interest surfaces and together all of these elements don't really add up to a blockbuster but you will find is a story with a lot of heart. The acting is substandard but any kung-fu fan or film enthusiast will appreciate what the movie offers. Don't expect a slick production or big time special effects and you should have fun with this movie about the fulfillment of a dream and one young man's uncommon achievement.
Unique and fascinating biography
flix-96 September 2000
Mark Salzman stars in the movie adaptation of his autobiographical tale of a young college graduate visiting China for the first time. Although packaged as fiction based on Salzman's true story, the honesty and modesty of the film's style give a documentary-like feel. Salzman's humble charisma prompts one to forgive and perhaps forget the lack of typical Hollywood gloss. The only professionals in major roles are Jeannette Lin Tsui as Teacher Hei, and the beautiful Vivian Wu as love-interest Ming. My sole disappointment with this film was its brevity.
9/10
9/10
simple surface, complex currents
paleolith20 May 2010
Deceptively simple on the surface, Iron and Silk is complex beneath, with clashes and harmonies between East and West, old and new, open and closed, never pitting one against the other but exploring the interlocking elements. The plot isn't much; the joy is in the interplay of currents. This is a beautiful movie.
It's worth pointing out that IMDb's vote weighting hurts Iron and Silk badly. With only 310 votes as I write, apparently IMDb doesn't believe that so many people vote it a ten, or perhaps they discount bimodal vote distributions. IMDb's 6.4 is about what you get if you throw out all the tens! If you're into kinds of averages, the mode is 10, the median is 9, and the mean is 8.1. Those represent the movie better than IMDb's weighted 6.4.
It's worth pointing out that IMDb's vote weighting hurts Iron and Silk badly. With only 310 votes as I write, apparently IMDb doesn't believe that so many people vote it a ten, or perhaps they discount bimodal vote distributions. IMDb's 6.4 is about what you get if you throw out all the tens! If you're into kinds of averages, the mode is 10, the median is 9, and the mean is 8.1. Those represent the movie better than IMDb's weighted 6.4.
insightful, honest, true
greenveg13 October 1999
This movie was one of the best that I have see in a long time. Provides excellent insight into Chinese culture and life. The main character, Mark, provides exceptional acting and teaching Pan is most definetaly a role model to look up to. Chinese accents just make it more believable. Oscar-worthy material. If you have to see one film, see this one, it won't let you down!
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