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top all-time martial arts flix

posted 20 years ago by yella_fella
48 replies | jump to latest

I've been trying to come up with some of the all-time best. In order to do that, I had to try and be comprehensive. So, I have to leave many out if they are too similar to another on the list.

I tried to choose representative movies from each "type," that is, I tried not to choose too many from any one group, such as movies from Master Lau, Yuen woo ping, bruce lee, robert tai, king hu, jet li, etc.

The list is in order of recommendations even for novices, not necessarily in order of the best.

Check it:

All time Martial Arts
1. Master Killer, or Disciples of the 36th Chamber (Gordon Liu, Master Lau aka Liu Chia-liang)
2. Once Upon a Time in China II, but see the first installment of the OUTIC series first (Tsui Hark, Jet Li)
3. Disciples of Death, but see the first installment "Heroes Two" first (Chang Cheh, Master Lau/Tang chia, Chen Kuan Tai, Alexander Fu Sheng)
4. Touch of Zen (King Hu)
5. The Iron Monkey (1977) (Chen Kuan Tai)
6. Shaolin v. Lama (Robert Tai)
7. Tai Chi II (Yuen Woo-ping, Jacky Wu)
8. The Return of the Five Deadly Venoms is even better than the original 5 Deadly Venoms (The Venoms)
9. Legendary Weapons of China (Master Lau as star and choreographer)
10. Deadly Duo (Ti Lung, David Chiang, Lau/Tang Chia)
11. Shaolin Temple (Jet Li mainland wushu production, choreagraphed by Pan Qingfu from Iron & Silk)
12. Fist of Legend (Gordan Chan, Yuen woo-ping, Jet Li)
13. Iron Monkey/ or maybe Hero of Heroes (Donnie Yen, Yuen Woo-ping)
14. Snake in Eagles’ Shadow (early Jackie Chan)
15. Drunken Master II (later Jackie Chan, Master lau)
16. Magnificent Pole Fighters (Gordon and Master Lau, Fu Sheng's last)
17. The Way of the Dragon (Bruce Lee's best)
18. Magnificent Butcher (Sammo Hung, Yuen Woo-ping)
19. Dreadnaught (Yuen Biao) or Prodigal Son or Knockabout or Zu: Warriors from the Magic Mountain
20. Revenge of the Patriots (Bruce Li, Master Lau)
21. Dragon Inn (Brigette Lin, Maggie Chung) or Swordsman II (Brigette Lin, Jet Li, Josephine Siao)
22. Kung Fu Cult Master (Sammo Hung, Jet Li)
23. Jade Tiger (Ti Lung, movie version of kung fu novel) or Sentimental Swordsman or Clans of Intrigue (aka. Chu Luxiang, the Prince of Thieves a very famous character in kungfu novels)

What do others' think?

[–] oacosmic 20 years ago

I agree with number 1. Master Killer aka 36th Chamber of Shaolin is the best Kung Fu movie made ever. Period.

[–] 20 years ago

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[–] 20 years ago

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[–] LoneNinjuh 20 years ago

I guess i should call myself a "novice" (?) martial arts cinema fan, and i have only heard of like 2 of those movies you listed, i might have to rent some. I own a couple kung-fu movies, my favorite would be Blind Fist of Bruce. anyone seen it?

[–] just_pain 20 years ago

one of my favorites when i was a kid was called 'fists of fire', i think. but i can't find it on imdb. if anyone knows another name for it, please help me find it. the plot involved a guy who learns from a master, how to use the power of the sun to make his hands glow red hot, if that helps. thanks.

[–] dubj187 20 years ago

The best is "Shogun assasins" aka know as "Lone Wolf and Cub"

[–] coreyterminator 20 years ago

Here's my list, not in any order.

Once Upon A Time In China 1, 2, 3, and 6.

Fong Sai Yuk 1 and 2

Shaolin Temple

Chinese Connection

Fists of Fury

Drunken Master 1 and 2

Project A 1 and 2

Crime Story

Police Story 1 - 3

New Police Story

Jackie Chan's First Strike

Rumble in the Bronx

Who Am I?

Rush Hour 1 and 2 (I consider it)

There's more too.

[–] moslerssjmu 19 years ago

Deffinitly one of my favorites, its special effects have aged, but the direct narration of the little boy moves the entire story along nicely. A must see. Oh, anyone ever watch "Lady Snowblood"?

[–] sac_yakuza 18 years ago

thats way more jidaigeki than the kung fu gender.

IM A SUCKER 4 SPECIAL FEATURES EDDIE_CMF o_O

[–] 18 years ago

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[–] stephenebrey 19 years ago

Samurai films have so little in common with kung fu films though. They have 10 times more similiarities with Westerns (particularly the films of Kurosawa, and exploitation flicks like Lone Wolf and Cub and Zatoichi).

And if you like Lone Wolf and Cub, read the manga. The 6 movies are based off the much longer 28 volume manga, written by the same guy.

[–] sac_yakuza 18 years ago

thats more of a samurai chambara gender and shogun assassin is not the entire series of lone wolf and cub .

IM A SUCKER 4 SPECIAL FEATURES EDDIE_CMF o_O

[–] yella_fella 19 years ago

Is it Descedant of the Sun starring Derek Yee?

"Give me the strength never to disown the poor or bend my knees before insolent might." R. Tagore

[–] sspacejesus 19 years ago

Personally, my favorite martial arts flick is Master of the Flying Guillotine (or One Armed Boxer vs. the Flying Guillotine).

[–] RossLikesMovies 19 years ago

Jesus I totally agree with you. I'm yet to see a martial arts movie thats more raw and brutal. The fights in that are great and its sooo cool everytime the guillotine master turns up. Plus the fight at the end with the burning floor is excellent, total fu masterpiece. BTW see the victim if you haven't, thats another good one.

[–] bobbyblk 19 years ago

iseen that movie for the first time in over 30 years. i fogot hoe good it was, but the 36 chambers of sholin is still the all time best.

[–] j2thamizz_ac 19 years ago

36th Chamber
8 Diagram Pole Fighter (greatest ever, imo)
5 Deadly Venoms
Legend of The Red Dragon
Hero (original Asian version, not the US re-release)

whoever posted all those Jackie Chan movies....gimme a break.
Who Am I? on par with ANYTHING the Shaw Bros did? Not likely.

All time funniest Kung Fu Movie...

Fantasy Mission Force. Nothing beats the Car Nazis.

[–] swamprattt 19 years ago

I like the part in Who Am I? where Jacky slides down the outside of the building in Amsterdam. That was just totally insane.

[–] ferls 19 years ago

1) The Chinese Connection, 1972
Directed by Lo Wei and starring Bruce Lee.

2) Enter the Dragon, 1973
Directed by Robert Clouse and starring Bruce Lee.

3) Drunken Master, 1979
Directed by Yuen Woo-Ping and starring Jackie Chan.

4) The Shaolin Temple, 1982
Directed by Chang Hsin-Yen and starring Jet Li.

5) Snake in the Monkey's Shadow, 1982
Directed by Sum Cheung and starring John Chang.

6) Shaolin Master Killer, 1983
Directed by Lau Kar-Leung and starring Gordon Liu.

7) Supercop, 1992
Directed by Stanley Tong and starring Jackie Chan, Michelle Yeoh.

8) Fist of Legend, 1994
Directed by Gordon Chan and starring Jet Li.

9) The Legend of Drunken Master, 1994
Directed by Lau Kar-Leung and starring Jackie Chan.

10) Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, 1999

http://newphoto.1t1t.com/usr/9a/140232/1137562670_0.gif

[–] ladyricelady 19 years ago

I love your list

[–] GattiPL 19 years ago

5 deadly venoms should be on everyones list... its classic

[–] EmperorOfRohan 19 years ago

i cant beleave no one put The Street Fighter! that movie is one of the best.i also like The Twin Warriors,Legend of 8 Samurai,Fist of Legend,Heroes of Shaolin,Deadly Duo,The Tongfather,Flash Legs,Ninja in the Dragons Den,and Fists of the White Lotus.just to name a few great flix

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And lone he might be on the ways of this world
His sword, sole companion, always there

[–] irel99 19 years ago

There are two martial art flicks that should be on the top 10, and they would be my 1st two choices in a heartbeat.

1. John Woo's "Last hurrah for chivalry, and Strike of death, underrated classics in my book.

[–] simbob4000 18 years ago

EmperorOfRohan
cant beleave no one put The Street Fighter! that movie is one of the best.i also like The Twin Warriors,Legend of 8 Samurai,Fist of Legend,Heroes of Shaolin,Deadly Duo,The Tongfather,Flash Legs,Ninja in the Dragons Den,and Fists of the White Lotus.just to name a few great flix

If you like The Street Fighter you should watch Karate Warriors, which IMO is the best of the Killer Fist movies...right after the first. It also doesn't have the James Bondie fell that later Street Fighter movies seem to have.

Simonpieter On The Geo-Political Climate Of The World Today: We live in a new world with a global day

[–] withnail-4 18 years ago

I like your list, though I've only seen half of them.

Some of my favorites:

Lady Assassin (82)(Doesn't seem to have a listing on IMDB, but Celestial came out with a beautifl version, and this movie is a GREAT swordplay palace intrigue movie)

Prodigal Son (83)
The Magic Blade (76)
Magnificent Butcher(80)
Mr. Vampire (85)
Drunken Master (78)
Master of The Flying Guillotine(75)
Return of The Chinese Boxer(75)
Iron-Fisted Monk (77)

[–] samdabaker 18 years ago

The only big one I see missing is the Seven Samurai. One of the first and best.

[–] DellOtt 18 years ago

"The Seven Samurai" is NOT a kung-fu flick. As someone mentioned, samurai movies are often more like westerns. Not too mention that they're japanese & kung-fu is Chinese.

Some of my faves (in no particular order)

Enter The Dragon
Five Deadly Venom
Master Killer
The Kid with the Golden Arm
Chinese Connection
Return of the Dragon
Hero
Iron Monkey
Legend of the Drunken Master

[–] krh308 18 years ago

hmm, interesting lists here are some I find enjoyable,

Knockabout

M.R. Vampire

The Story of Ricky

Fist of the North Star

Zatoichi vs the One-Armed Swardsman (samurai)

The Big Boss (any Bruce Lee is good really)

The last Dragon (lol bruce leeroy too)

Once upon a time in China 1-3

Dirty Ho

Drunken Master (1-2)

Master of the Flying Guillotine

Ong-Bak (muay thai not kung fu)

Lone Wolf & Cub series (samurai)

General Stone

36th Chamber (IMHO good but not the best)

There are MANY, MANY, more but this is what I can think of off the top of my head.....

[–] 18 years ago

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[–] sac_yakuza 18 years ago

THATS NOT KUNG FU THATS chambara SAMURAI FILM!!!!!!

IM A SUCKER 4 SPECIAL FEATURES EDDIE_CMF o_O

[–] The-Atlantean 18 years ago

Lots of great movies in these lists, but here are my favourites, in order of me remembering them:

Fist of Legend - Jet Li. The best one on one Kung Fu I've ever seen.
Mr Vampire - Wonderful acrobatics.
Iron Monkey - Best wire work.
Project A.
And I really dojn't know why this hasn't been mentioned: Shaolin Soccer! The funniest Kung Fu film I've ever seen. Waiting for Kung Fu Hustle, which friends say is even better.

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