This Hong Kong legends is one of my fav's and unknown gem one to have for the collection get story funny in places but for the most part seriousReal talk
It's a Dynamite Movie, It is Easily Leung Kar Yan and Yasuaki Kurata's Best Film. I Recommend It.
*May contain spoilers*Having agonized over this question since I first saw saw this film about 15 years ago on vhs and having just watched it again on dvd,I have finally come to the conclusion that Legend of a fighter is the greatest martial arts movie ever made.Chu Yuan (Yuen Yat Chor) is desperate to learn the Huo family technique which is respected through out the region.But his father (Philip Ko) refuses to teach him based on the family motto "we never tech strangers,cheats or weaklings".He considers his son to be weak because he's unable to move his fathers arm when he holds it up.While Chia is out in the woods one day he's set upon by the local bullies who tease him over his lack of martial arts prowess.A stranger (Karata Yusuaki) happens to be passing by,he's on his way to the Huo family residence.He hears that the youth being beaten up is part of the Huo family,Ho San (yusuaki) is employed by Chias' father as to tutor his son but only after he's been tested to see if he knows martial arts.Chias' father is very wary about outsiders learning the family technique,Ho San convinces him that his motives are honest.When San intervenes on Chias' behalf when he sees his father beating him for getting into trouble he reveals to him that he does actually know kung fu and that he's willing to teach him.Not only does he teach him kung fu he also becomes his mentor and best friend.While out one day,they encounter the town bullies once again this time Ho San intervenes when he sees that Chia is outnumbered.Having killed the bullies he decides that it's time for him to return home.The two exchange tokens of friendship and Ho San tells Chia that he's left him a manual and that one day he will become a better fighter than his father.12 years pass and Chia (leung Kar Yan) has now become an expert in the Huo family style.When Huo's father is challenged one day he's unable to fight because he's sick at the time.When Chia steps in his father is shocked as he didn't know that he knew kung fu.With the challenger defeated he's forced to go through with his promise to break his own leg if he lost.Just as he's about to do it Chia intervenes and offers him a hand of friendship which is gladly accepted.After seeing that Chia had learned the family technique he decides to make him his successor.With his fame growing in the region not just because of his kung fu but also because of his righteous ways.After defeating many challengers he's confronted by the Japanese champion Sanaka.After a brutal fight Chia prevails,Sanaka not wanting to be disgraced when he returns to Japan commits suicide.When the Japanese find out they are enraged as they perceive China as the sick man of Asia.It's now revealed that Sanaka was a friend of Ho San and that the Japanese are demanding that San goes to China to gain revenge.During his time at the Huo residence Ho San had been secretly been learning the family style making him a very dangerous foe.As Chia prepares to go in to fight his best friend his father tells him that " the Huo family can afford to lose but China can't".With these words ringing in his ears he enters into a duel to the death.As I said in some of my other reviews I've been into Hong Kong/martial arts films for over 25 years now and I didn't come to this conclusion easily.I discussed it with Rick Baker,the co founder of video and dvd label Eastern Heroes and he said that this is definitely Beardy's best film.Everything about this film is perfect,the script,the plot,the action,the characterizations and the superb music score.What truly elevates this film is the excellent script which is superbly written,Yuen Woo Ping's direction is masterful as is everything else about this film.While I understand that this is a totally subjective view,when weighing everything up I have to say that I've never seen a more complete film.A masterpiece,one that every kung fu film fan should own!Thanks for reading and I hope that you enjoy the film.
This is a top notch kung fu movie, starring legend Leung Kar yan is one of his best roles to date.The kung fu scenes are very well done with Yuen Woo Ping in charge of the choreography.This is a classic in every word, excellent fights, top notch cast and one of the best action directors ever.If you haven't seen it, please find a way to grab this classic in the genre.
Leung Kar Yan is great, though he's minus the beard, but in my opinion the stand out fighter is his teacher Yasuaki Kurata (Heroes of the East).Honestly, much better than 'Fearless'; the last fight in 'Legend' is pretty impressive.As Mantis wrote, and also Morgoth in his review of the Secret Master VHS, this movie really could not do anything different that would make it better.I also own the Bonsai DVD and its really the only version you can find, and while an excellent film, its unfortunately full-screen with English dubbing (apparently there's a Taiwan DVD from League Media as well but it looks like it wouldn't be of a better quality). Also known as 'Secret Master' on VHS.Nonetheless, I highly recommend this film, and though not the all-time best of the genre (I enjoyed Five Element Ninjas, Ninja in the Dragon's Den, etc. more), I'd consider this a top 20 favorite of mine.4.5 stars
