Once Upon a Time in China (1991)
Wong Fei-Hung (original title)Reference View | Change View
- R
- 2h 14min
- Action
- 15 Aug 1991 (Hong Kong)
- Movie
Legendary martial arts hero Wong Fei-Hung fights against foreign forces' plundering of China. When Aunt Yee arrives back from America, Wong Fei-Hung assumes the role of her protector.
Director:
Writers:
Stars:
Awards:
- 5 wins & 4 nominations.
- See more »
Photos and Videos
Cast
| Jet Li | ... |
Wong Fei Hung
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| Biao Yuen | ... |
Leung Foon
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| Rosamund Kwan | ... |
13th Aunt
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| Jacky Cheung | ... |
Buck Teeth So
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| Kent Cheng | ... |
Porky Wing
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Kam-Fai Yuen | ... |
Kai
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| Shi-Kwan Yen | ... |
Iron Robe Yim
(as Yee Kwan Yan)
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| Shun Lau | ... |
Naval Commander Lau
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| Wu Ma | ... |
Grand-Uncle Cheung
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Jianguo Qiu | ... |
Shaho Gang Leader Tong
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| Cheung-Yan Yuen | ... |
Yim's Opponent
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| Chi-Yeung Wong | ... |
Commander Man
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Shun-Yee Yuen | ... |
Honorable Manchu Soldier
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| Xiong Xinxin | ... |
Shaho Gang Member
(as Xin Xin Xiong)
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Jonathan Isgar | ... |
Jackson
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Mark King | ... |
British General Wickens
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Steve Tartalia | ... |
Tiger
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Colin George | ... |
Jesuit Priest
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Gam-San Leung | ... |
Opera Troupe Boss
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Hsin Shen | ... |
Lion Dance Drummer
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| Biu Lung | ... |
Shaho Gang Member
(as Bill Lung Biu)
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Pau-Chung Tong | ... |
Shaho Gang Member
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| Chi-Hung Ling | ... |
Local Militia
(as Ling Chi-Hung)
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Gin Fei | ... |
Local Militia
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| Foo-Wai Lam | ... |
Local Militia
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Chien-Po Tsen | ... |
Thug
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| Kwai-Bo Chun | ... |
Thug
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Kim-Ban Wong | ... |
Thug
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Anthony Carpio | ... |
Thug
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| Si-Man Hui | ... |
Hawker
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| Bruce Fontaine | ... |
Policeman
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Yuan-Ta Tsao |
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Tony Yuen | ... |
(as Yuen Kam Fai)
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| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
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Jonna Peijffers |
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| Mike Leeder | ... |
Western Restaurant Guest (uncredited)
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Directed by
| Hark Tsui | ||
Written by
| Hark Tsui | ... | (screenplay) & |
| Kai-Chi Yuen | ... | (screenplay) (as Kai-Chi Yun) & |
| Yiu-Ming Leung | ... | (screenplay) & |
| Elsa Tang | ... | (screenplay) (as Pik-yin Tang) |
Produced by
| Roger Lee | ... | executive producer |
| Hark Tsui | ... | producer |
Music by
| Romeo Díaz | ||
| James Wong | ||
Cinematography by
| Tung-Chuen Chan | ||
| Wilson Chan | ||
| David Chung | ||
| Ardy Lam | ... | (as Kwok Wah Lam) |
| Arthur Wong | ||
| Bill Wong | ... | (as Chung Biu Wong) |
Editing by
| Marco Mak | ||
Art Direction by
| Chung-Man Yee | ||
Costume Design by
| Bruce Yu | ||
Makeup Department
| Siu-Mui Chau | ... | hair stylist |
| Ka-Pik Lai | ... | makeup artist |
| Yun Ling Man | ... | makeup artist (as Yun-Ling Man) |
| Min-Hua Pan | ... | makeup artist |
| Yuk-Mui Wan | ... | hair stylist |
Production Management
| Lloyd Chao | ... | post-production supervisor |
| Chi-Wai Cheung | ... | production manager |
| Julia Chu | ... | production manager |
| Bo-Chu Chui | ... | production manager |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
| Polly Kam | ... | assistant director |
| Hoi-Wah Kong | ... | assistant director |
| Kai Keung Lai | ... | assistant director |
| Po-San Lo | ... | assistant director (as Bo-San Lo) |
Stunts
| Shifuji Shaurya Bharadwaj | ... | stunt performer |
| Liu Chia-Yung | ... | action coordinator (as Chia-Yung Liu) / stunt coordinator: fire sequences and body burns (as Chia-Yung Liu) |
| Marcus Fox | ... | stunt performer |
| Kar-Wing Lau | ... | action coordinator |
| Chi Wah Ling | ... | stunt double |
| Yuen Woo-Ping | ... | action coordinator (as Woo-Ping Yuen) |
| Xiong Xinxin | ... | stunt double: Jet Li (as Xin Xin Xiong) / stunt performer (as Xin Xin Xiong) |
| Biao Yuen | ... | stunt double: Yen Shi-kwan / stunt performer |
| Cheung-Yan Yuen | ... | action coordinator |
| Shun-Yee Yuen | ... | action coordinator |
Camera and Electrical Department
| Siu-Kwan Chan | ... | assistant camera |
| Kai-erh Chen | ... | lighting technician |
| Man-Po Cheung | ... | assistant camera |
| Kei Sheung Chow | ... | assistant camera |
| Lam Chow | ... | lighting technician |
| Wai-Kuen Chow | ... | lighting technician |
| Yun-Chuen Geung | ... | still photographer |
| Perry Ho | ... | focus puller |
| Man-Ching Ng | ... | lighting technician |
| Jun-Fai Tsang | ... | lighting technician |
| Si-Chan Yeung | ... | assistant camera |
Costume and Wardrobe Department
| Hau-Jeun Wong | ... | costume supervisor |
| Hau-Yung Wong | ... | costume supervisor |
Script and Continuity Department
| Kam-Hung Chan | ... | continuity |
| Wai-Ming Hung | ... | continuity |
| Chieh-Ying Lu | ... | script supervisor |
Additional Crew
| Raymond Man-Wai Chow | ... | presenter (as Raymond Chow) |
| Yau-Keung Geung | ... | story editor |
| Yeung-Wah Kam | ... | planner (as Andrew Kam) / production planner |
| Lai-Heung Law | ... | caterer |
| David Lo | ... | planner (as Dai-Wai Law) |
| Chi-keung Yu | ... | story editor |
Production Companies
Distributors
- Golden Harvest Company (1991) (Hong Kong) (theatrical)
- First Films (1992) (Philippines) (theatrical)
- Rim (1992) (United States) (theatrical)
- Toho-Towa (1993) (Japan) (theatrical)
- Indo Overseas Films (1993) (India) (theatrical)
- Gativideo (1994) (Argentina) (VHS)
- TriStar Pictures (2001) (United States) (theatrical) (re-release) (subtitled)
- Dutch FilmWorks (DFW) (2001) (Netherlands) (DVD) (VHS)
- Splendid Film (1992) (Germany) (theatrical)
- Scenepalm (1992) (United Kingdom) (theatrical)
- Audio One Entertainment (2001) (Malaysia) (video) (VCD)
- Mega Star Video Distribution (Hong Kong) (DVD)
- Mega Star Video Distribution (Hong Kong) (video) (VCD)
- Solar Entertainment (1992) (Philippines)
- Star Entertainment Co. (1992) (Hong Kong) (VHS)
- Star Entertainment Co. (1992) (Hong Kong) (video) (laser disc)
- Star Entertainment Co. (Hong Kong) (video) (VCD)
- StudioCanal (France) (DVD)
- The Criterion Collection (2021) (United States) (Blu-ray)
Special Effects
Other Companies
- International Versioning (English dialogue)
- Solar Entertainment (anti piracy)
- Solar Pictures (anti piracy)
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
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?
Written by Michele Wilkinson, University of Cambridge Language Centre, |
| Plot Keywords | |
| Taglines | Never was a Hero needed more... See more » |
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| Parents Guide | View content advisory » |
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Additional Details
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Box Office
| Cumulative Worldwide Gross | $3,826,459 |
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. See more » |
| Goofs | (at around 54 mins) A 31-star US flag is seen shortly after an adult Wong Fei Hung attempts to defend the Po Chi Lam clinic from a fiery attack. The 31-star flag was used from July 4, 1851 to July 3, 1858. Wong Fei Hung was born on July 9, 1847, and so could not have been older than a few days shy of his eleventh birthday when this flag was still in use. Also, the rows of stars shown on the 31-star flag are inverted. The flag shown has rows of 7, 6, 6, 5, and 7 stars respectively (from top to bottom). The actual flag has rows of 7, 5, 6, 6, and 7 stars top to bottom. See more » |
| Movie Connections | Featured in The Art of Action: Martial Arts in Motion Picture (2002). See more » |
| Quotes |
Yim:
No matter how good our kung-fu is, it will never defeat guns. See more » |