Once Upon a Time in China
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Once Upon a Time in China (武狀元黃飛鴻) is Hong Kong auteur Tsui Hark (徐克)'s series of six movies about the famous kung fu master and Chinese hero Wong Fei Hung or (Huang Fei Hong) (黃飛鴻) (played by Jet Li (李連杰) in parts 1, 2, 3, and 6 and by Zhao Wenzhuo (趙文卓; Vincent Zhao) in parts 4 and 5). The movies were released in 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, and 1997, respectively. The first two films of the series are among the most popular of the Golden Age of Hong Kong cinema (usually dated from 1986 to 1993) and are famous for their depiction of Chinese nationalism as well as their excellent action sequences. "Once Upon a Time in China" was Jet Li's largest hit at the time.
Using the renowned kung fu master and doctor as the main character, the films deal with the negative effects of Western imperialism in China. The second film even has Dr. Sun Yat-sen (a revolutionary leader and the founding father of the Chinese republic, as well as one of the few people praised in both Communist China and Taiwan) as a character (though it is unlikely that the two ever met in real life). Unlike the majority of Hong Kong action films, the Once Upon a Time in China series is clearly politicised. However, as they were regarded foremost as commercial entertainment films, the political implications seem to have had less impact. Moreover, the main thrust is non-partisan nationalist, and because Sun Yat-sen is highly regarded by both the People's Republic of China and the Republic of China (Taiwan), the films are not as politically divisive as they may seem.
Contents |
[edit] Once Upon a Time in China I
Concerns are growing over the Westerners from America, Britain and France increasing their presence in Foshan (in some DVD releases, the subtitles state that the town in question is Canton, perhaps because it is a more recognisable). The general of the Black Flag Army approaches Wong and requests that he recruits and trains a militia of kung fu warriors to help protect the town. Wong recruits the butcher, "Porky" Lang (Kent Cheng) and "Bucktooth So" (Jacky Cheung).
Wong meets up with "Aunt Yee" (aka Shao Jun / Siu Gwen / Sap Saam Ee / 13th Aunt, played by Rosamund Kwan) and romantic feelings between the two are stirred.
Leung Foon (or "Fu", played by Yuen Biao) arrives in town with a travelling theatre and gets in trouble with a local gang called Sha Ho Bang, who are terrorising local businesses and dealing with the Americans. He accidentally ran into Aunt Yee and fell in love with her (this never happened in real life). After being kicked out by the theatre, Fu begins training under another master, "Iron Robe" Yim (Yee Kwan Yan).
The Americans, Jackson (Jonathan Isgar) and Tiger (Steve Tartalia) are working for the Sino-Pacific company, exporting Chinese people to the US for virtual slave labour. The Sha Ho gang aid the Americans by kidnapping women to be used as prostitutes for the Americans.
Sifu Wong (Hwang) attempts to bring the gang to justice but the fearful inhabitants of Foshan do not dare to act as witnesses.
"Iron Robe" Yim decides he must fight and beat Wong in order to show the town his skills and make a name for himself, allowing him to open a successful martial arts school. The Sha Ho gang offer to help Yim open the school if he will ally himself with their gang, a move that forces Foon to follow his Master and stand against Wong Fei Hung.
[edit] Once Upon a Time in China II
Set in 1895, Wong Fei Hung (Hwang Fei Hung), his companion Leung Foon (this time played by Siu Chung Mok aka Max Mok) and developing romantic interest Aunt Yee travel by train to Canton to attend a lecture on techniques of Western and Eastern medicine. Wong lectures on the benefits of acupuncture whilst another doctor translates for the British audience.
The seminar is besieged by the fanatical White Lotus Cult, led by the seemingly invincible Priest Kung (Xiong Xin Xin). The extreme nationalist cult aim to force all foreigners out of Canton and they fire flaming arrows into the building where the seminar is taking place. This cult is most likely based on a rebellious anti-foreigner group called the Fists of Righteous Harmony (also known as the Boxers that led the Boxer Rebellion) which actually existed in the year 1900.
Wong learns that his translator friend is none other than Sun Yat Sen (Cheung Tit Lam), the leader of a group of pro-democratic rebels who wish to help China become a Republic. Sun and Lu Haodong, another rebel, are planning to go to Hong Kong to continue their work of revolution. Wong assists the rebels, but an official of the Manchu imperial government, General Lan (Donnie Yen) stands in their way.
Further confrontations ensue when the White Lotus attack a foreign-language school for children. Aunt Yee hides the children in the British Consulate. Later, the consulate was attacked, with the help of General Lan, by the White Lotus cult. Wong and company defeated the White Lotus cult and General Lan went into the consulate to search for Sun Yatsen and Lu Haodong. Sun had escaped the consulate unharmed earlier. The British consul was killed by General Lan. Leung, disguised as Lu, escaped and diverted Lan's attention. Wong and Lu went to the headquarters of the White Lotus Cult and after an intense battle, Wong defeated all of the clan.
Later, Wong, Lu, and Leung go to get the contact list of all the rebels. In the process, Lu is shot and killed by General Lan's men. Wong and Lan have what many have called "The greatest fight of Jet Li on screen". Wong kills Lan and meets up with Sun Yatsen at the dock.
[edit] Once Upon a Time in China III
Wong Fei Hung and Leung Foon (played by Siu Chung Mok) travel to Peking with Aunt Yee to visit Wong's father. Shao Yun receives a film camera from a former school-friend, now a Russian diplomat, Tumanovsky (John Wakefield), who vies for her attention to the annoyance of Wong.
Wong's father, Wong Kei Ying or (Hwang Chi Ying) (Shun Lau) is the Master of a martial arts school and a member of the local "Cantonese Association" and is known to make excellent lion heads. When the Empress announces that a Lion Dance is to take place, a rival martial arts school master, Chiu attempts to eliminate the competition. He sends a warrior called Club Foot (Xiong Xin Xin returning in another bad-guy role) to attack Wong's father and destroy his lion heads.
Aunt Yee films various action including Wong Fei Hung's (Hwang Fei Hung) kung fu demonstration, and the lion dancers move (and fight) their way through the town.
The relationship between Aunt Yee and Wong reaches new heights and Wong tries to find the courage to inform his father of their intended marriage.
Later the camera inadvertently captures footage of Tumanovsky plotting to assassinate the viceroy and minister of Qing Dynasty, Li Hongzhang. Meanwhile, Club Foot is kicked out by his school and beaten up. Wong and his companions try to treat his injuries, but he (initially) rejects their help. In the end he is convinced he should help Wong win the Lion Dance, take revenge against his former school and help stop the Russian's attempt to kill Li.
[edit] Once Upon a Time in China IV
The year is 1900 and Wong Fei Hung (played by Zhao Wenzhuo) and Leung Foon (the returning Max Mok) along with Wong's father and Club Foot face new enemies of China, this time in the form of German rivals and British forces, as well as the Red Lantern Society - a gang of women, who, like the White Lotus Cult from Once Upon a Time in China II, want to rid China of all foreigners. This time, 13th Aunt is substituted by her sister, Aunt May (aka 14th Aunt, played by Jean Wong) as Wong Fei Hung's love interest.
During a parade, the hosts, the Red Lantern Society, attack a German church. Before things get too out of hand, Wong comes to the foreigners defence and as a result, is forced to confront the gang, who fight using rope weapons and ether-filled lanterns.
Later, due to his success in winning the Golden Lion Medal in the previous film, Wong is asked to represent China in a world lion dance martial arts contest against seven other countries, with the German contingent being a particular threat. The lion dance is symbolic - the intentions of the German residents is to take control of China, and China need to win the contest to save face and show their strength. Rather than being limited to lion heads, various animal heads are used by the represented nations including dragon, centipede and eagle. The dance inevitibly descends into fighting and Wong's troupe eventually overcome the imperialist enemies.
Meanwhile, two Chinese villains have joined forces with the Germans who wish to control China. They break into the Forbidden City of China, and Wong must face the Chinese villains and stop the German General once and for all.
[edit] Once Upon a Time in China V
Wong Fei-Hong and his disciples travel back to southern China. A rivalry for Wong Fei-Hong's love develops between 13th Aunt and her sister, Aunt May. Wong Fei-Hong and his disciples eventually discover that pirates are terrorizing the southern seas. Wong and his disciples decide to form a local crime prevention unit, which leads to 3 confrontations with the pirates and eventually to the death of all major pirate leaders.
[edit] Once Upon a Time in China VI
(also known as Once Upon a Time in China and America)
Bucktooth So (aka Sol) has opened a Po Chi Lam branch in America. Wong Fei-Hung, Clubfoot, and Aunt Yee, who is now Wong's fiancee, travel across the Pacific Ocean to visit him. While travelling by carriage through the wilderness they pick up a friendly cowboy named Billie who has nearly died of thirst. As the party Wong is travelling with stops to have lunch a band of hostile Native Americans ambush the party. Wong, Clubfoot, and Aunt Yee escape the fight unharmed but their carriage slides off a cliff and into a river. Aunt Yee and Clubfoot are rescued and taken to Bucktooth So's clinic. Wong Fei-Hung, however, dashes his head into a rock and loses his memory. He is picked up by a Native American tribe. Back in the town Bucktooth So and the others are staying in the mayor is causing trouble for the Chinese by making oppressive rules which Billie tries to stop. Meanwhile, Wong Fei-Hung's tribe is in trouble with a more powerful Indian tribe. Their leader is a fearsome warrior who injures one of the braves on Fei-Hung's side, Fierce Eagle, the chief's son. However, Wong Fei-Hung surprisingly defeats the rival chief and half his army by himself using his amazing martial arts ability. The rival tribe quickly flees in shock. Meanwhile, Wong Fei-Hung eventually is brought to the town Bucktooth and the others are staying at by the Indians. There his friends discover that he has memory loss and Clubfoot fights him to help him regain his memory. Meanwhile, the evil governor is in debt and decides to hire a Mexican bandit to help him rob the bank so he can leave the town once and for all with a ton of cash. The robbery is successful and Po Chi Lam is framed for it. Wong and the others are scheduled to be hanged; however, the Mexican bandit discovers that he has been tricked $400,000 short by the governor and goes back to the town. In the fight that ensues the evil governor is killed and Wong captures the bandit to prove his innocence. At the end, Wong, Aunt Yee, and Clubfoot wish Bucktooth So good luck and head back home to China.
[edit] Imitators
As was relatively common in the Hong Kong film industry, the successful Once Upon a Time in China series quickly gained imitators. Whilst these films also focussed on Wong Fei Hung, they were not part of the series, and had different stars and directors. They included:
- Last Hero in China
- Once Upon a Chinese Hero
- Once Upon a Time a Hero in China
- Once Upon a Time a Hero in China II
- Great Hero from China
[edit] Theme Music
- The theme song to the "Once Upon a Time in China" series is taken from the Ming Dynasty folk song "Under the General's Orders"; the version used for the films is entitled "A Man Should Better Himself" and was written by Wong Jim.
- The Cantonese version of the song is sung by George Lam and the Mandarin version is sung by the martial arts actor and film director, Jackie Chan.
- The theme has long been associated with the Wong Fei Hung legend, appearing in some form in many early films about him. It was notably used in the 1983 Sammo Hung film, Winners and Sinners. It played during a market scene whilst the Five Lucky Stars are watching two men demonstrating the beneficial effects of their medicines and their Kung Fu stances, obviously in reference to Wong Fei Hung.
- The theme was also sampled by Ninja Tune artist, Quincey, for a track entitled "Bruce Lee MC", which can be found on the Xen Cuts compilation album. The track also contains samples of Bruce Lee's fight vocalisations.
[edit] External links
- Wong Fei-hung aka "Once Upon a Time in China" at the Internet Movie Database
- Wong Fei-hung ji yi: Naam yi dong ji keung aka "Once Upon a Time in China II" at the Internet Movie Database
- Wong Fei-hung tsi sam: Siwong tsangba aka "Once Upon a Time in China III" at the Internet Movie Database
- Wong Fei-hung zhi sei: Wang zhe zhi feng aka "Once Upon a Time in China IV" at the Internet Movie Database
- Wong Fei-hung zhi wu: Long cheng jian ba aka "Once Upon a Time in China V" at the Internet Movie Database
- Wong Fei-hung chi saiwik hung si aka "Once Upon a Time in China VI" at the Internet Movie Database
