Dragon Fist
Encyclopedia
Dragon Fist aka Dragon Hero is a 1979
Hong Kong action film
diercted by Lo Wei
. The star and stunt coordinator
of the film is Jackie Chan
.
Like Chan's Spiritual Kung Fu, Dragon Fist was filmed in 1978 but could not be released because the studio was running out of money. As a result, both Lo Wei productions only saw a release after Chan returned from his loan period with Seasonal Films, where he made Snake in the Eagle's Shadow
and Drunken Master
with director Yuen Woo-ping
.
Unlike most of Chan's early films, Dragon Fist had a more serious tone, with little in the way of comedic moments.
) is a disciple of kung fu master San-Thye. San-Thye wins a martial arts tournament, only to be killed by evil kung fu master, Chung Chien-Kuen (Yen Shi-Kwan).
Tang tries unsuccessfully to fight Chung, and leaves the evil master unharmed. Tang, along with San-Thye's wife and daughter head after the killer to seek revenge. When they find him, Chung has repented and has cut off his own leg as penance. The master's widow becomes ill, so Tang goes to work for a gang in order to get her medicine. However, whilst in their employ, he is blamed for the death of a young boy, and San-Thye's widow is poisoned. Tang and the one-legged master join forces to defeat the evil lord who poisoned San-Thye's widow.
Hong Kong films of 1979
A list of films produced in Hong Kong in 1979:.-1979:-External links:* * Hong Kong films of 1979 at...
Hong Kong action film
Hong Kong action cinema
Hong Kong action cinema is the principal source of the Hong Kong film industry's global fame. It combines elements from the action film, as codified by Hollywood, with Chinese storytelling and aesthetic traditions, to create a culturally distinctive form that nevertheless has a wide transcultural...
diercted by Lo Wei
Lo Wei
Lo Wei was a famous Hong Kong film director and film actor best known for launching the martial arts film careers of both Bruce Lee, in The Big Boss and Fist of Fury, and Jackie Chan, in New Fist of Fury....
. The star and stunt coordinator
Stunt coordinator
A stunt coordinator, usually an experienced stunt performer, is hired by a TV, film or theatre director or production company to arrange the casting and performance of stunts for a film, television programme or a live audience...
of the film is Jackie Chan
Jackie Chan
Jackie Chan, SBS, MBE is a Hong Kong actor, action choreographer, comedian, director, producer, martial artist, screenwriter, entrepreneur, singer and stunt performer. In his movies, he is known for his acrobatic fighting style, comic timing, use of improvised weapons, and innovative stunts...
.
Like Chan's Spiritual Kung Fu, Dragon Fist was filmed in 1978 but could not be released because the studio was running out of money. As a result, both Lo Wei productions only saw a release after Chan returned from his loan period with Seasonal Films, where he made Snake in the Eagle's Shadow
Snake in the Eagle's Shadow
Snake in the Eagle's Shadow is a 1978 Hong Kong martial arts action film directed by Yuen Woo-ping his directorial debut, who has since gained international stardom as the action choreographer for films such as Iron Monkey, Fist of Legend, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, The Matrix series, Kill...
and Drunken Master
Drunken Master
Drunken Master, also known as Drunk Monkey In The Tiger's Eye, is a 1978 Hong Kong martial arts comedy film directed by Yuen Woo-ping, and starring Jackie Chan, Yuen Siu-tien, and Hwang Jang Lee...
with director Yuen Woo-ping
Yuen Woo-ping
Yuen Woo-ping is a Chinese martial arts choreographer and film director, renowned as one of the most successful and influential figures in the world of Hong Kong action cinema. He is one of the inductees on the Avenue of Stars in Hong Kong...
.
Unlike most of Chan's early films, Dragon Fist had a more serious tone, with little in the way of comedic moments.
Plot
Tang How-Yuen (Jackie ChanJackie Chan
Jackie Chan, SBS, MBE is a Hong Kong actor, action choreographer, comedian, director, producer, martial artist, screenwriter, entrepreneur, singer and stunt performer. In his movies, he is known for his acrobatic fighting style, comic timing, use of improvised weapons, and innovative stunts...
) is a disciple of kung fu master San-Thye. San-Thye wins a martial arts tournament, only to be killed by evil kung fu master, Chung Chien-Kuen (Yen Shi-Kwan).
Tang tries unsuccessfully to fight Chung, and leaves the evil master unharmed. Tang, along with San-Thye's wife and daughter head after the killer to seek revenge. When they find him, Chung has repented and has cut off his own leg as penance. The master's widow becomes ill, so Tang goes to work for a gang in order to get her medicine. However, whilst in their employ, he is blamed for the death of a young boy, and San-Thye's widow is poisoned. Tang and the one-legged master join forces to defeat the evil lord who poisoned San-Thye's widow.
Cast
- Jackie ChanJackie ChanJackie Chan, SBS, MBE is a Hong Kong actor, action choreographer, comedian, director, producer, martial artist, screenwriter, entrepreneur, singer and stunt performer. In his movies, he is known for his acrobatic fighting style, comic timing, use of improvised weapons, and innovative stunts...
- Tang How-Yuen - Hsu Hsia - Master King
- Ou-Yang Sha Fei - Master King's wife
- Nora MiaoNora MiaoNora Miao ); born February 8, 1952 ) is a Hong Kong actress who appeared in many kung-fu films in the 1970s. She was contracted to Golden Harvest, and spent her time making films in Hong Kong and in Taiwan, where she starred in several romance movies....
- Master King's daughter - Yen Shi-Kwan - Master Li
- Pearl Lin (Lin Yin Zhu) - Master Li's daughter
- James TienJames Tien (actor)James Tien Chun is a Hong Kong actor from Guangdong, China. He appeared in almost 70 films, primarily in Hong Kong action cinema, including roles in the films of martial arts stars including Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan and Sammo Hung. He often played villains or supporting roles...
- Master Li's student - Eagle Han Ying - Master Li's student
- Ko Keung - Master Wing
- Chui Yuen - Wing's student
- Wong Kwong Yue - Wing's assistant
- Chui Fat - Wing's assistant
- Peng Kang - Wing's student
- Wang Yao - Wing's student
DVD releases
- On 15 February 2001, Seven 7 released the French languageFrench languageFrench is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
theatrical version entitled Le Poing De La Vengeance, with an aspect ratioAspect ratioThe aspect ratio of a shape is the ratio of its longer dimension to its shorter dimension. It may be applied to two characteristic dimensions of a three-dimensional shape, such as the ratio of the longest and shortest axis, or for symmetrical objects that are described by just two measurements,...
of 2.35:1. It contains no other language options. - On 22 October 2001, Eastern Heroes released the film in the UK, uncut (except for many frame-cuts). However, it's poorly cropped from 2.35:1 into 1.78:1 and only contains an English dub.
- On 4 June 2002, Columbia Tri-Star released the film in the US, in 2.35:1 with English and Cantonese language options. However, it contains a heavily edited version produced by Aquarius Releasing (roughly 15 minutes missing) and is dubtitleDubtitleDubtitle is a term for a show recorded in which the subtitles are merely transcriptions of the new alternative dialogue spoken on the dubbed soundtrack rather than a translation of the original dialogue and was popularized by anime and kung fu film fans to refer to this practice....
d. - On 24 February 2006, Universal Japan released the film in Japan, in 2.35:1 and with a Cantonese soundtrack. This version was the first completely uncut release on DVD, however, it does not feature any English subtitles.
- On 11 June 2007, Hong Kong LegendsHong Kong LegendsHong Kong Legends was a United Kingdom DVD distribution company, based in Hertfordshire and operating from the UK and Australia between 1999 and 2007...
released the film in the UK, in 2.35:1 and uncut in Cantonese language with newly-translated English subtitles.
External links
- Dragon Fist at Hong Kong Cinemagic