Once Upon a Time in China Region 4 DVD cover

The Once Upon a Time in China (武狀元黃飛鴻) series 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 or (Huang Fei Hong) (黃飛鴻) (played by Jet Li (李連杰) in parts 1, 2, 3, and 6 and by Zhao Wen Zhou (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 depiction of Chinese nationalism as well as their excellent action sequences. "Once Upon a Time in China" was Jet Li's largest hit at the time. Image File history File links OnceUponaTimeinChina_DVDcover. ... Image File history File links OnceUponaTimeinChina_DVDcover. ... The term auteur (French for author) is used to describe film directors (or, more rarely, producers or writers) who are considered to have a distinctive, recognizable vision, because they (a) repeatedly return to the same subject matter, (b) habitually address a particular psychological or moral theme, (c) employ a recurring... Tsui Hark (Chinese: 徐克; Hanyu Pinyin: ; Wade-Giles: Hsü Ko) (born Tsui Man-kong (徐文光) on February 15, 1950) is a New Wave film director in Hong Kong who is also a highly influential producer, often likened to Steven Spielberg for a similar galvanizing effect on his countrys cinematic scene. ... Film is a term that encompasses individual motion pictures, the field of film as an art form, and the motion picture industry. ... Alternative meaning: Kung Fu (TV series) Kung fu or gongfu (功夫, Pinyin: gōngfu) is a well-known Chinese term used in the West to designate Chinese martial arts. ... This is a Chinese name; the family name is Wong. ... Jet Li (born Li Lianjie on April 26th, 1963 in Beijing, China) is a Chinese martial artist, actor, Wushu champion, and international film star. ... The cinema of Hong Kong is one of the three major threads in the history of Chinese language cinema, alongside the cinema of China, and the cinema of Taiwan. ...

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 well as one of the few people praised in both Communist China and Taiwan) as a character (though it is unlikely that the two ever met in real life). Unlike the majority of Hong Kong action films, the Once Upon a Time in China series is clearly politicised. However, as they were regarded foremost as commercial entertainment films, the political implications seem to have had less impact. 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. Alternative meaning: Kung Fu (TV series) Kung fu or gongfu (功夫, Pinyin: gōngfu) is a well-known Chinese term used in the West to designate Chinese martial arts. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... Sun Yat-sen (November 12, 1866 – March 12, 1925) was a Chinese revolutionary and political leader often referred to as the father of modern China. ... Anthem YìyÇ’ngjÅ«n JìnxíngqÇ”   义勇军进行曲 (simplified Chinese characters) 義勇軍進行曲 (traditional Chinese characters} March of the Volunteers Capital Beijing Largest city Shanghai Official languages Chinese1 (PÇ”tōnghuà, also known as Mandarin) Government Socialist Republic2  -  President Hu Jintao  -  Premier Wen Jiabao Establishment  -  Peoples Republic declared October 1, 1949... Hong Kong action cinema is the principal source of the Hong Kong film industrys global fame. ... Non-partisan democracy (also no-party democracy) is a system of representative government or organization such that universal and periodic elections (by secret ballot) take place without reference to political parties or even the speeches, campaigns, nominations, or other apparatus commonly associated with democracy. ... This article needs additional references or sources for verification. ...

Films

For information on the films in this series, see:

Once Upon a Time in China 1991	Once Upon a Time in China II 1992	Once Upon a Time in China III 1993	Once Upon a Time in China IV 1994
Once Upon a Time in China V 1995	Once Upon a Time in China VI 1997

Image File history File links OUATIC1_dvdcover. ... Once Upon a Time in China Region 4 DVD cover 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 or (Huang Fei Hong) (黃飛鴻) (played by Jet Li (李連杰) in parts 1... Year 1991 (MCMXCI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the 1991 Gregorian calendar). ... Image File history File links OUATIC2_dvdcover. ... Once Upon a Time in China II is a 1992 Hong Kong action film written and directed by Tsui Hark and starring Jet Li as legendary Chinese folk hero, Wong Fei Hung. ... Year 1992 (MCMXCII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1992 Gregorian calendar). ... Image File history File links OUATIC3_dvdcover. ... Once Upon a Time in China III is a 1993 Hong Kong action film written and directed by Tsui Hark and starring Jet Li as legendary Chinese folk hero, Wong Fei Hung. ... Year 1993 (MCMXCIII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1993 Gregorian calendar). ... Image File history File links OUATIC4_DVDcover. ... Once Upon a Time in China IV is a 1994 Hong Kong action film directed by Yuen Bun. ... Year 1994 (MCMXCIV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display full 1994 Gregorian calendar). ... Image File history File links OUATIC_5_DVDcover. ... Once Upon a Time in China V is a 1995 Hong Kong action film written and directed by Tsui Hark. ... Year 1995 (MCMXCV) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full 1995 Gregorian calendar). ... Image File history File links OUATIC6_DVDcover. ... Once Upon a Time in China Region 4 DVD cover 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 or (Hwang Fei Hung) (黃飛鴻) (played by Jet Li (李連杰) in parts 1... Year 1997 (MCMXCVII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1997 Gregorian calendar). ...

Imitators

As was relatively common in the Hong Kong film industry, the successful Once Upon a Time in China series quickly gained imitators. Whilst these films also focussed on Wong Fei Hung, they were not part of the series, and had different stars and directors. They include:

• Once Upon a Chinese Hero
• Once Upon a Time a Hero in China
• Once Upon a Time a Hero in China II
• Great Hero from China

However, one imitator had more direct links with the original series, Last Hero in China. This film was released in 1993 after the original Once Upon a Time in China trilogy. It is derivative of these films, and unlike other imitation films, it can be considered a spinoff or spoof to some extent. It was directed by Wong Jing in place of Tsui Hark. The film's action director was Yuen Woo-ping and once again it starred Jet Li as Wong Fei Hung. However, it differs greatly in tone from the Once Upon a Time in China series, containing stronger elements of violence and broader slapstick. Last Hero in China is a 1993 film written and directed by Wong Jing. ... A spin-off (or spinoff) is a new organization or entity formed by a split from a larger one such as a new company formed from a university research group. ... Look up Spoof in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Wong Jing (Chinese: 王晶) (born January 1, 1956) is a Hong Kong film director, producer and screenwriter. ... Tsui Hark (Chinese: 徐克; Hanyu Pinyin: ; Wade-Giles: Hsü Ko) (born Tsui Man-kong (徐文光) on February 15, 1950) is a New Wave film director in Hong Kong who is also a highly influential producer, often likened to Steven Spielberg for a similar galvanizing effect on his countrys cinematic scene. ... Actresses Uma Thurman (right) and Vivica A. Fox performing a fight choreography Stage combat is a specialized technique in theatre designed to create the illusion of physical combat without causing harm to the performers. ... Yuen Woo-ping on the set of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon This is a Chinese name; the family name is Yuen. ... Jet Li (born Li Lianjie on April 26th, 1963 in Beijing, China) is a Chinese martial artist, actor, Wushu champion, and international film star. ... Slapstick is a type of comedy involving exaggerated physical violence. ...

Last Hero in China 1993

Last Hero in China is a 1993 film written and directed by Wong Jing. ... Year 1993 (MCMXCIII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1993 Gregorian calendar). ...

Theme Music

• The theme song to the "Once Upon a Time in China" series is taken from the Ming Dynasty folk song "Under the General's Orders"; the version used for the films is entitled "A Man Should Better Himself" and was written by Wong Jim.

• The Cantonese version of the song is sung by George Lam and the Mandarin version is sung by the martial arts actor and film director, 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.

Ming China under the Yongle Emperor Capital Nanjing (1368-1421) Beijing (1421-1644) Language(s) Chinese Government Monarchy Emperor  - 1368-1398 Hongwu Emperor  - 1627-1644 Chongzhen Emperor History  - Established in Nanjing January 23, 1368  - Fall of Beijing 1644  - End of the Southern Ming April, 1662 Population  - 1393 est. ... Wong Jim, James Wong Jim M.Phil. ... George Lam Chi Cheung (Chinese : 林子祥) was born on October 2, 1947, is a popular veteran singer in Hong Kong. ... Hawaiian State Grappling Championships. ... Actors in period costume sharing a joke whilst waiting between takes during location filming. ... The film director, on the right, gives last minute direction to the cast and crew, whilst filming a costume drama on location in London. ... Chan Kong-Sang (Simplified Chinese: ; Traditional Chinese: ; pinyin: ), also known as Jackie Chan Sing Lung (Simplified Chinese: ; Traditional Chinese: ; pinyin: ) or Jackie Chan SBS, (born on April 7, 1954) is a Chinese martial artist, action star, actor, director, screenwriter, film producer, singer and stunt performer. ... Sammo Hung (Traditional Chinese: ; Simplified Chinese: ; pinyin: ; Cantonese: Hung4 Gam1 Bou2) (born January 7, 1952) is a Chinese actor, producer and director known for his work in many Kung fu films and Hong Kong action cinema. ... Winners and Sinners (1983) is the first of the Lucky Stars series of films- a highly succesful series in Hong Kong. ... Ninja Tune is a London-based independent record label started in 1991 by DJs Matt Black and Jonathan More, better known as Coldcut, with a strong leaning towards Electronic, abstract hip-hop, instrumental hip hop, Nu-Jazz, drum and bass, and chillout music. ... Xen Cuts is a compilation album released by Ninja Tune independent record label on their tenth anniversary. ...

External links

• Wong Fei-hung aka "Once Upon a Time in China" at the Internet Movie Database
• Wong Fei-hung ji yi: Naam yi dong ji keung aka "Once Upon a Time in China II" at the Internet Movie Database
• Wong Fei-hung tsi sam: Siwong tsangba aka "Once Upon a Time in China III" at the Internet Movie Database
• Wong Fei-hung zhi sei: Wang zhe zhi feng aka "Once Upon a Time in China IV" at the Internet Movie Database
• Wong Fei-hung zhi wu: Long cheng jian ba aka "Once Upon a Time in China V" at the Internet Movie Database
• Wong Fei-hung chi saiwik hung si aka "Once Upon a Time in China VI" at the Internet Movie Database
• Wong Fei-hung chi tit gai dau neung gung aka "Last Hero in China" at the Internet Movie Database

v • d • e

Cinema of Hong Kong

Films A-Z • Films by year: 1909–1929 • 1930s • 1940s • 1950s • 1960s • 1970s • 1980s • 1990s • 2000s
Actors • Directors • Cinematographers  • Festivals • Producers • Screenwriters • Shaw Brothers Studio The Internet Movie Database (IMDb) is an online database of information about movies, actors, television shows, production crew personnel, and video games. ... The Internet Movie Database (IMDb) is an online database of information about movies, actors, television shows, production crew personnel, and video games. ... The Internet Movie Database (IMDb) is an online database of information about movies, actors, television shows, production crew personnel, and video games. ... The Internet Movie Database (IMDb) is an online database of information about movies, actors, television shows, production crew personnel, and video games. ... The Internet Movie Database (IMDb) is an online database of information about movies, actors, television shows, production crew personnel, and video games. ... The Internet Movie Database (IMDb) is an online database of information about movies, actors, television shows, production crew personnel, and video games. ... The Internet Movie Database (IMDb) is an online database of information about movies, actors, television shows, production crew personnel, and video games. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... The cinema of Hong Kong is one of the three major threads in the history of Chinese language cinema, alongside the cinema of China, and the cinema of Taiwan. ... Shaw Brothers Studio The Shaw Studio (邵氏片場), owned by Shaw Brothers (HK) Ltd. ...