Once Upon a Time in China (film series)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Once Upon a Time in China (traditional Chinese: 武狀元黃飛鴻) film series is Hong Kong film director Tsui Hark's series of six Films about the famous kung fu master, physician and Chinese folk hero Wong Fei Hung. He is played by Jet Li (李連杰) in parts 1, 2, 3, and 6 and by Vincent Zhao Wenzhuo (趙文卓) in parts 4 and 5.
The films 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.
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[edit] General outline
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 has Dr. Sun Yat-sen a revolutionary leader and the founding father of the Chinese republic, as a character. 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 (on Taiwan), the films are not as politically divisive as they may seem.
[edit] Films
The films are:
- Once Upon a Time in China (黃飛鴻) (1991)
- Once Upon a Time in China II (黃飛鴻之二男兒當自強) (1992)
- Once Upon a Time in China III (黃飛鴻之三獅王爭霸) (1993)
- Once Upon a Time in China IV (黃飛鴻之四王者之風) (1994)
- Once Upon a Time in China V (黃飛鴻之五龍城殲霸) (1995)
- Once Upon a Time in China and America (黃飛鴻之西域雄獅) aka Once Upon a Time in China and America (1997)
[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 include:
- Once Upon a Chinese Hero - Directed by Wu Ma and starring Yuen Biao as Lau Zhai. In some releases this had the alternative titles Kickboxer and Once Upon A Time In China 6: Kickboxer.
- Once Upon a Time a Hero in China - Directed by Lee Lik-Chi and starring Alan Tam, Eric Tsang and Simon Yam.
- Once Upon a Time a Hero in China II - Sequel directed by Lee Lik-Chi and starring Alan Tam and Eric Tsang.
- Great Hero from China - Directed by Hwang Jang Lee and starring Chin Kar Lok and Lam Ching Ying.
- Wong Fei Hung TV series - also known by the alternative title Once Upon a Time in China and directed by Tsui Hark.
However, one imitator had more direct links with the original series, Last Hero in China (黃飛鴻之鐵雞鬥蜈蚣). This film was released in 1993 after the original Once Upon a Time in China trilogy. It is derivative of these films, and unlike other imitation films, it can be considered a spinoff or spoof to some extent. It was directed by Wong Jing in place of Tsui Hark. The film's action director was Yuen Woo-ping and once again it starred Jet Li as Wong Fei Hung. However, it differs greatly in tone from the Once Upon a Time in China series, containing stronger elements of violence and broader slapstick.
[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 and America" at the Internet Movie Database
- Wong Fei-hung chi tit gai dau neung gung aka "Last Hero in China" at the Internet Movie Database
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