Jimmy Wang Yuwas one ofthe best kung fu movie stars of all timeand a true pioneer who helped shape the martial arts genre into what it is today. Long before high-flying wirework and flashy choreography became the standard,Wang Yu brought an energy to his fight scenes that made him an icon.He was also a director, producer, and screenwriter, leaving his indelible mark on the world of kung fu like no one else.
Although ranking his best kung fu movies is no easy task, one of Wang Yu’s biggest contributions to cinema isThe Chinese Boxer, widely recognized as the first true martial arts movie ever. It laid the groundwork for everything that followed, influencing generations of kung fu films. With such a groundbreaking legacy, it’s no surprise that he wasthe only martial arts star Bruce Lee wanted to surpass.
10Return Of The Chinese Boxer (1977)
Directed By Jimmy Wang Yu
Despite the title,Return of the Chinese Boxeris not the official sequel toThe Chinese Boxerfrom 1970, which is another movie starring and directed by Jimmy Wang Yu. Still, it stands out as one of Wang Yu’s most interesting performances, even though the film has a slight silliness to it. In it, Wang Yu is Tsao Pai Leung, a skilled fighter who is set on warding off an invading group of Japanese warlords.
There are zombies, weird weapons, and a bunch of Matrix-like moves before The Matrix was even a thought.
Don’t let the plot summary fool you, asReturn of the Chinese Boxeris arguably one ofthe weirdest martial arts movies ever made. There are zombies, weird weapons, and a bunch of Matrix-like moves beforeThe Matrixwas even a thought. Still, those who love unexpected plot twists and downright absurd moments will definitely enjoy this one, if only for Wang Yu’s boldness in his approach to the kung fu movie genre.
9Beach Of The War Gods (1973)
WhileBeach of the War Godsmight not come to everyone’s mind when talking aboutthe best wuxia movies of all time, this 1973 title still deserves all the love it can get. It stars Wang Yu as a fearless warrior who leads the fishermen of a coastal village in a battle to defend their land from invaders. The battles are epic, and even though kung fu isn’t front and center in the most traditional way, it still feels gritty and quite convincing.
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From hand-to-hand combat and impressive kicks to gorgeously choreographed swordplay,Beach of the War Godsdelivers non-stop action you can’t look away from. Notably, the group fights might be the highlight of this wuxia, with each of the villagers bringing something unique to the scene. Wang Yu excelled in both leading and directing the movie, making it no surprise it stands out as some of his best work.
8The Tattooed Dragon (1973)
Directed By Lo Wei
Unfortunately, not everyone has heard ofThe Tattooed Dragon. It’s one of Wang Yu’s finest roles, although not everyone seems to like it as much as some of his other projects. The 1973 film is super straightforward, offering a ton of great action and raw kung fu.Wang Yu plays The Dragon, a mysterious figure who essentially saves an entire townfrom scam-running mobsters. Moreover, the movie oozes 1970s Hong Kong flair, making for the perfect fusion of atmosphere and action.
As with many similar titles of that time,The Tattooed Dragonrelies on bare martial arts to deliver its fight sequences, which is fabulous. Wang Yu’s character is brutal in every sense of the word, dropping kicks and punches like it’s nobody’s business. Furthermore,The Tattooed Dragonoffers some seriously amazingkung fu movie techniques that really work in real life, even though they might be tough to replicate for the average person.
7The Sword Of Swords (1968)
Directed By Cheng Kang
The Sword of Swordsis an underrated 1960s Shaw Brothers movie that arguably deserves a spot next to the greats of the era, such asDragon InnandCome Drink with Me. Blinded and betrayed by a ruthless villain who murders his family and steals a magical sword, a skilled swordsman (Wang Yu) is left to pick up the pieces of his shattered life. Fueled by vengeance, he sets out on a deadly journey to reclaim the enchanted blade and bring down the man who destroyed everything he loved.
The story is amazing, the sword fights are intense, andtraditional kung fu is elevated to a completely different realm inThe Sword of Swords.It’s the perfect movie for anyone looking to enter the kung fu genre, but also for hardcore fans who would like a fresh take on the action.
6Golden Swallow (1968)
Directed By Chang Cheh
Golden Swallowis the sequel to the 1966 movieCome Drink With Me. Much like its iconic predecessor, the film starsCheng Pei-pei, who is considered to be the first female action hero. However,Golden Swallow, despite being named after Cheng’s character, focuses more on Silver Roc,who is played by Wang Yu. The movie is an impressively weird mix of great kung fu, a love triangle, and a relentless quest for vengeance.
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While the action sequences are notably great,Golden Swallow’s story might be even better. Wang Yu’s Silver Roc is borderline obsessed with the gentle Golden Swallow, going to worrying lengths to get her attention. As his rivalry with Iron Whip (Lo Lieh) ultimately escalates to the point of no return, director Chang Chen’s signature heroic bloodshed aesthetic takes center stage, giving the movie that final poetic touch. Overall, the film is truly stunning in every aspect.
5Return Of The One-Armed Swordsman (1969)
Following the monumental success ofThe One-Armed Swordsman, Chang Cheh and the Shaw Brothers Studio sought to capitalize on the film’s popularity. Thus,Return of the One-Armed Swordsmanwas born and hit the screens in 1969. The narrative picks up with Fang Gang (Wang Yu), the one-armed swordsman who has retired from the martial world to lead a peaceful family life. However, he’s forced to come out of retirement to face off against a ruthless clan that’s terrorizing martial arts schools.
The sequel’s success proved audiences' hunger for out-of-the-box characters and paved the way for wuxia classics that came after it.
While it’s not really one of thosemovie sequels that are better than the original,Return of the One-Armed Swordsmanis still a must-watch full of relentless action and gorgeous swordplay.Wang Yu reprises his role with passion, effortlessly drawing the viewer deeper into his journey. The sequel’s success proved audiences' hunger for out-of-the-box characters and paved the way for wuxia classics that came after it.
4One-Armed Boxer (1972)
Not to be mistaken withThe Chinese Boxer,One-Armed Boxeris yet another title that was completely brought to life by Wang Yu. However, out of the two, despite being released two years later,One-Armed Boxeris the one that put Wang Yu on the martial arts map on his own accordand redefined the kung fu genre. After leaving the Shaw Brothers Studio, this movie was his answer to the success of hisOne-Armed Swordsmancharacter.
While it is a product of its time and should be viewed as such,One-Armed Boxerremains an enduring kung fu classic that will never lose its charm. Instead of swordplay, it brings bare-knuckle kung fu in the form of a high-energy, revenge-fueled spectacle, setting the stage for an even crazier sequel. The villains are unnecessarily flamboyant, which is just the right amount for a showdown of epic proportions.
Four years after the release ofOne-Armed Boxer, Wang Yu brought usMaster of the Flying Guillotine, which is one of thoseold martial movies so bad they’re actually great. While it’s not really bad in any way, the wild style and unconventional storytelling might not click with mainstream audiences used to modern cinema. That said, any movie buff who appreciates the finer things in filmmaking will likely find this cult classic worthy of the title.
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Despite being a sequel,Master of the Flying Guillotinetakes things to a whole new level. The villain is a blind Shaolin monk with a deadly flying guillotine, while the rest of the bad guys are equally bizarre, in the best way possible. Featuring a grindhouse martial arts madness that mixes kung fu, exploitation cinema, and even a touch of horror,Masterstands out as one of the most insane, stylish, and wildly entertaining martial arts movies ever made.
For those who haven’t seen it,The One-Armed Swordsmanis basically a kung fuJohn Wickwith a sword. Directed by Chang Cheh,this Shaw Brothers masterpiece tells the story of Fang Gang (played by Wang Yu),who loses his arm in a brutal battle. However, that does not stop him from seeking vengeance, proving that a true martial artist’s spirit cannot be broken.
The One-Armer Swordsmanwas the first Hong Kong title to ever reach HK$1 million at the local box office.
Not only isThe One-Armed Swordsmana visually stunning movie with beautifully choreographed fight scenes, butit marked the birth of a never-before-seen hero in the kung fu genre. Fang Gang was the first-ever cinematic martial artist with one arm, laying the groundwork for similar stories, such asMaster of the Flying Guillotine. With its intense action and deep character work, it’s safe to say that this 1967 title is a pillar of martial arts cinema every kung fu enthusiast should be familiar with.
1The Chinese Boxer (1970)
For many,The Chinese Boxeris the best martial arts movie to exist,and we can’t help but agree. Also known asThe Hammer of God, the film is a cornerstone in Wang Yu’s career, which cemented him as the biggest kung fu star of the era. Notably, it was his last project with the Shaw Brothers. Wang Yu wrote the movie, directed it, and starred in it, showcasing his brilliance at every step of filmmaking.
3.7 / 5
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3.4 / 5
The Tattooed Dragon
3.2 / 5
Despite feeling very similar to most of the movies of the era, the plot ofThe Chinese Boxerdoes the job. It’s simple and effective, and the action is the star of the show anyway. The fights are incredible, to say the least, withJimmy Wang Yuhimself being the ultimate weapon. There are no fancy kicks or flashy acrobatics here, but, instead, a violent carnage of grappling, powerful strikes that feel more than realistic.
