Once Upon a Time in China (1991)

• Year: 1991
• Released: 15 Aug 1991
• Country: Hong Kong
• Adwords: 5 wins & 4 nominations
• IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0103285/
• Rotten Tomatoes: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/once_upon_a_time_in_china
• Metacritics: https://www.metacritic.com/movie/once-upon-a-time-in-china
• Available in: 720p, 1080p,
• Language: Cantonese, English, French
• MPA Rating: R
• Genre: Action, Adventure, History
• Runtime: 134 min
• Writer: Hark Tsui, Kai-Chi Yuen, Yiu-Ming Leung
• Director: Hark Tsui
• Cast: Jet Li, Rosamund Kwan, Biao Yuen
• Keywords: martial arts, 19th century, kung fu, hero, china,

	7.2/10
	88% – Critics
	88% – Audience

Once Upon a Time in China Storyline

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?

Once Upon a Time in China Play trailer

Once Upon a Time in China Photos

Once Upon a Time in China Torrents Download

Once Upon a Time in China Subtitles Download

Once Upon a Time in China Movie Reviews

Didn’t live up to my expectations.

A traditional kung fu movie with elements of the Wuxia sub-genre, Once Upon A Time In China is considered by many to be one of the finest martial arts movies of all time; I don’t rate it so highly, preferring my action to be a little more realistic and a tad more ‘bone-crunching’.

Set in a troubled 19th century China, where centuries of tradition is being threatened by an influx of foreigners, this historical epic is directed by Tsui Hark and stars the incredible Jet Li, ably supported by Rosamund Kwan, Biao Yuen, Jacky Cheung and Kent Cheng. With a pedigree like that, I was expecting something truly astounding, but what I got was an overlong, over-stylised and definitely over-rated film. Saddled with a dreadfully dull story and some particularly poor comedic moments, it does not entertain as much as I had hoped.

Li plays Wong Fei Hung, martial arts master and all round good guy, who, along with his students, battles the foreign invaders who are plundering China. Kwan plays his love interest, Aunt Yee, who has recently returned from America, and who tries to educate Hung about the wonders of the Western world. As the troubles mount, Aunt Yee becomes the target of unscrupulous traders who try to sell her into prostitution, leaving Hung and his men no option but to pit their fighting skill against guns in a daring rescue attempt.

Although the movie admittedly features some well choreographed fight scenes which will undoubtedly appeal to fans of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (as will the breath-taking cinematography), the action relies too much on clever wire-work and skillful editing for its impact, and the whole affair left this particular viewer rather disappointed.

Tsui Hark’s influential Wong Fei Hung biopic

Jet Li’s historical epic is one of the films which ushered in a new wave of Chinese cinema, with films containing plots that were usually historical and action that was usually enhanced by the use of plentiful wire work. Wire work, for those who don’t know, involves the actors flying through the air as if weightless, a good example being CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON. Thankfully, this movie is far less pretentious than that and also less serious, and as a result it’s a lot more entertaining. Typical Chinese comedy mingles with a somewhat racist plot in which Jet Li and his associates must battle to keep foreigners from invading China.

It’s a patriotic film with an epic feel to it, made good thanks to Tsui Hark’s assured direction and lots of excellent photography. The acting is still on the level you would expect from a Chinese movie, but nods go to Yuen Biao and Yan Sai-kwoon who both do really well in their respective parts. Jet Li himself is quite quiet in the movie, but his fighting abilities are second-to-none and he’s just as entertaining to watch here as in something like KISS OF THE DRAGON. Rosamund Kwan has the thankless role of the token female but she’s actually very good as well.

The serious aspects of this story – lots of innocent people getting mercilessly gunned down, for example – sit oddly with the more traditional kung fu fighting, but that’s not too much of a problem. 99% of fans will be wanting to see this for the martial arts and they don’t disappoint, with tons of incredible jumps, kicks and prop-breaking. Li’s battle with Yan Sai-kwoon at the end is tremendous fun whilst Biao puts in some strong work as always. Although it has a little bit of a ‘vanilla’ feel for it, for the most part this is a well-put-together movie that was successful enough to spawn endless sequels.

great historical kung-fu epic

It’s the era of the Unequal Treaty in China. Foreigners are demanding more concessions as the Chinese people becomes second class citizens in their own country. Wong Fei-hung (Jet Li) is tasked with training and leading a militia back home while his mentor Liu Yongfu sets off for Vietnam to battle the French. In Foshan, his militia tries to maintain peace and justice but faces enemies from all sides.

This is a great addition to the Hong Kong tradition of kung-fu movies. Jet Li announces that he is the next man up. It’s a terrific film although Americans may not like their characters. I was going to say something about Master Yim but his reply about justice is so very fitting for him. I also like that not all the westerners are cluelessly amoral. The ladder fights are memorable. This is top shelf kung-fu.