Once Upon A Time In China (1991)
Cinema Shock Roulette
“Why so many swords and daggers on the table?”
For the final entry in our Cinema Shock Roulette Extravaganza (but certainly not our last Cinema Shock Roulette episode), we're headed to Hong Kong to take a deep dive into the production of Tsui Hark's seminal martial arts film, ONCE UPON A TIME IN CHINA.
In this episode, we'll discuss not only the production of ONCE UPON A TIME IN CHINA, but the history of Chinese folk hero Wong Fei-hung on film, the early careers of Tsui and star Jet Li, and how this film reshaped the Hong Kong film industry, not only revitalizing the period martial arts film genre, but also spawning no less than five sequels, which in turn helped launch the career of martial arts sensation Donnie Yen.
SYNOPSIS: Writer-producer-director Tsui Hark’s sprawling vision of a changing nineteenth-century China begins with this riotously entertaining epic, a blockbuster hit that cemented Jet Li’s status as the greatest martial-arts superstar of his generation. Li displays his stunning, fast-and-fluid fighting style as the legendary martial-arts teacher and doctor Wong Fei-hung, who, with a band of disciples, battles a host of nefarious forces—foreign and local—who are threatening Chinese sovereignty as British and American imperialists encroach upon the Mainland. ONCE UPON A TIME IN CHINA’s breathtaking blend of kung fu, comedy, romance, and melodrama climaxes in a whirlwind guns-vs.-fists finale that is also a thrilling affirmation of Chinese cultural identity.
CAST & CREW
Directed by: Tsui Hark
Written by: Tsui Hark | Yuen Kai-chi | Leung Yiu-ming | Elsa Tang
Produced by: Tsui Hark
Cast: Jet Li | Yuen Biao | Jacky Cheung | Rosamund Kwan | Kent Cheng
Cinematography: Ardy Lam | Bill Wong | David Chung | Arthur Wong | Wingo Chan | Wilson Chan
Edited by: Marco Mak
Music by: James Wong | George Lam (theme song)
Release Date: August 15, 1991
Theme Song: "There's Still a Little Bit of Time, If We Hurry and I Mean Hurry" by Slasher Film Festival Strategy.
This episode was written, produced and edited by Gary Horne, and Justin Bishop.
For episode archives, merch, show notes, and more, visit cinemashock.net