Movies - Once Upon a Time in China

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	Movies - Once Upon a Time in China

Once Upon a Time in China is Hong Kong auteur Tsui Hark's series of six movies about the famous kung fu master and Chinese national hero Wong Fei Hung (played by Jet Li in parts 1, 2, 3, and 6 and by Chui Man Cheuk 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 depictment of Chinese nationalism as well as their excellent action sequences. "Once Upon a Time in China" was Jet Li's first and largest hit.

Using the renowned kung fu master and doctor as the main character, the films deal with the negative effects of European imperialism in China. The second film even has Sun Yat-sen (the father of modern China) as a character (though it is unlikely that the two ever met in real life). For a set of Hong Kong action films, the Once Upon a Time in China films are surprisingly political (at least the first three). However, because the main thrust is non-partisan nationalist, and because Sun Yat-sen is seen as a hero 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 at first to Westerners.

Once Upon a Time in China I

Concerns are growing over the Westerners from America, Britain and France increasing their presence in Fa Shan (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 Yun / Siu Qin / 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 desperately wishes to train under Master Wong but fears he's unworthy. Instead he begins training under another Master, "Iron Robe" Yim (Yee Kwan Yan).

Wong also comes into contact with a gang from the neighbouring town of Sha Ho, who are terrorising local businesses and dealing with the Americans. The Americans, Jackson (Jonathan Isgar) and Tiger (Steve Tartalia) are working for the Sino-Pacific company, exporting Chinese people to the US for slave labour. The Sha Ho gang aid the Americans by kidnapping women to be used as prostitutes for the labourers.

Wong attempts to bring the gang to justice but the fearful inhabitants of Fa Shan 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.

Once Upon a Time in China II

Set in 1895, Wong 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 beseiged 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.

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. 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.

Once Upon a Time in China III

[ Visit the complete Wikipedia entry for Once Upon a Time in China ]

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Movies - Once Upon a Time in China

Once Upon a Time in China I

Once Upon a Time in China II

Once Upon a Time in China III

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