Once Upon a Time in China (film series)
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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(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 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 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 a character (though it is unlikely that the two ever met in real life). Surprisingly, for a set of Hong Kong action films, the Once Upon a Time in China series seem to convey certain political implication. However, being regarded as commercial films and merely a source of entertainment, the films are not taken seriously regarding its story. 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.
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 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. 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.
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 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.
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 went to get the contact list of all the rebels. In the process, Lu was shot and killed by General Lan's men. Wong and Lan had what many calls "The greatest fight of Jet Li on screen". Wong kills Lan and meets up with Sun Yatsen at the dock.
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 (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 annouces 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 kung fu demonstration, and the lion dancers move (and fight) their way through the town.
The relationship bewteen 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.
Theme Music
- The theme song to the "Once Upon a Time in China" is taken from the Ming dynasty folk song "On the General's Orders"; the lyrics were written by Wong Jim.
- The Cantonese version of the song is sung by Lin Zixiang and the Mandarin version is sung by none other than 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.
External links
- Wong Fei-hung aka "Once Upon a Time in China" at IMDb
- Wong Fei-hung ji yi: Naam yi dong ji keung aka "Once Upon a Time in China II" at IMDb
- Wong Fei-hung tsi sam: Siwong tsangba aka "Once Upon a Time in China III" at IMDb
- Wong Fei-hung zhi sei: Wang zhe zhi feng aka "Once Upon a Time in China IV" at IMDb
- Wong Fei-hung zhi wu: Long cheng jian ba aka "Once Upon a Time in China V" at IMDb
- Wong Fei-hung chi saiwik hung si aka "Once Upon a Time in China VI" at IMDb
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