Jimmy Wang Yu Movies

Though generally unknown to Western audiences, Tsui Hark is considered a giant among Asian filmmakers and this exceptional epic, combining hard-hitting martial-arts action with romance, comedy, history, genuine poignance, and sharp insight into the effects of the century-long encroachment of Western civilization in Asia more than amply demonstrates why. The story centers on the exploits of Master Wong Fei-hung (a familiar figure in Hong Kong cinema) a 19th-century doctor, Confucian, and exceptional martial artist. As the film begins, he has just opened a new clinic in Canton Province. To help him with patients, he hires a few apprentices including Porky Lang (the comic relief) and Buck Teeth Sol, who was raised outside China and barely can speak the language. Wong is platonically involved with the lovely, worldly Aunt Yee, who has been abroad most of her life. Wong soon gets in trouble when he begins using his skills to protect and assist the poor and helpless in his community. As a result, someone torches his clinic, forcing Wong and his compadres to set off and get spectacularly staged revenge. They also try vainly to stop Western culture from changing traditional Chinese ways, but they soon find that they may as well be shoveling sand against a rising tide. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

This chop-socky adventure involves a kick-out between a load of ninjas and three spies. ~ Kristie Hassen, All Movie Guide

Jimmy Wang Yu, Tian Ye and Sun Chia Lin star in Shogun Saints. The villain is an oppressive ruler, slated to be killed by insurgents. Shogun warriors come to the ruler's defense, though a few of them have second thoughts. The plot is forgotten in the every-man-for-himself melee that follows. Filmed in 1977, Shogun Saints was released to American TV in 1984, at which time the film was retitled Shogun's Saints. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In this crime drama, the sister of a Hong Kong gangster is cooperating with the police in investigating the rumored plan of her brother's gang to assassinate the Queen. While that chase is on, the gang is simultaneously attempting to profit from the visit of a refugee Cambodian princess who has brought along a lot of gold. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide

Directed by Jimmy Wang Yu, Tiger and Crane Fists concerns a deadly Manchu warlord known for garbing himself from head-to-toe in impervious body armor, not to mention for his infamous pair of deadly steel claws. After the warlord killed a beloved kung fu master, two of the fallen warrior's disciples set off to avenge his death. Though the task initially seems impossible, their expert use of the Tiger and Crane fist techniques proves to be the slayer's downfall. Director Jimmy Wang Yu also stars, while martial arts expert Lau Kar-Wing is featured as well. ~ Tracie Cooper, All Movie Guide

The Great Hunter was bankrolled by an American production company and produced in its entirety in Taiwan. Wang Yu plays a military captain who forms a bond with orphaned Chia Ling. Together they comb the Taiwanese countryside in search of the person or persons who murdered Chia's father. Don't look for subtlety and nuance here: this is a violent revenge tale, pure and simple. For what it is, however, The Great Hunter is well put together. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

When the Manchu dynasty employs the Master of the Flying Guillotine (Kam Kong) in hopes of quelling the resistance stirring within than Han people (their dynasty had recently been overtaken) the Master accepts, oblivious to the challenges that could impede him. Before long, a fighting tournament is announced, and the participants include the One Armed Boxer, who was responsible for killing two of the Master's disciples. The Master is certain he can down his newfound opponent by means of the Flying Guillotine (which entails hurling through the air at such a velocity that the victim is decapitated on contact), but the One Armed Boxer proves a challenging fighter himself. The film also features Jimmy Wang Yu and Lung Kun Yee. ~ Tracie Cooper, All Movie Guide

Jimmy Wang Yu, probably the most well-known martial arts star before the ascendance of Bruce Lee, directs himself in the martial arts action film Return of the Chinese Boxer. He returns to the role of the One Armed Swordsman who uses his Chinese kung fu when challenged by a gang of Japanese Ninjitsu experts. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide

Set in the Ching Dynasty, Rage of the Master follows the efforts of commissioner Ma Chuicau to capture Hsiung-Wu, an infamous bandit. To Ma's dismay, however, martial arts extraordinaire Hsiung-Wu is the one doing all the capturing. This film features Ng Ming Tsai and Tiger Yang. ~ Tracie Cooper, All Movie Guide

The story is set in China in the early 1900's. Essentially playing an extension of himself, action-star Wang Yu spends much of the time defending himself against evil martial-arts masters. He also tries to make sense of a tragic incident in his past. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

A group of bumbling low-lives antagonizes the Tattooed Dragon in this chop-socky bit called, strangely enough, Tattooed Dragon. ~ Kristie Hassen, All Movie Guide

The oppressive Manchu dynasty is contested by a revolutionary journeying to Japan. ~ All Movie Guide