
Achieving new heights in procrastination this weekend, I put together this list of my (17) favorite martial art movies for those of you looking to waste some time, too.
I've included a few comments, theatrical trailers (if you have time) and a few clips (if you don't). Almost all the full length versions are on YouTube, in divided parts, you kmow. Maybe I'll do my top ten movie list next time...
Seven Samurai 1954 Japan
Yojimbo 1961 Japan
Both by Akira Kurosawa. As you can see, both perfect.
Two samurai films, so influential, they name stars out of the director and his lead actor, Toshiro Mifune. Even the biggest names in Hollywood saw the genius in Kurosawa’s film, in their rush to remake them into American westerns (The Magnificent Seven, Fistful of Dollars).
Seven Samurai
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnRUHtSgJ9o
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCXhHOEWZfA&feature=related
Yojimbo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3m0Hdtnq39s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-sYfIqouMAE&feature=related
Fist of Fury (US Title: The Chinese Connection) 1972 Hong Kong
Bruce Lee's work speaks for itself...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWeT0ja7Icw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CHFXTeQWXjo
Enter the Dragon 1973 United States
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tB-QGOChuQc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJGndrjP0i8
Lady Snowblood 1973 Japan
"Imitation is the highest form of flattery" - Quentin Tarantino
Probably the inspiration for the Kill Bill movies, it’s a tale of a woman who tracks down the gang responsible for her family’s murder. You’ll notice the theme song, flashback sequence style and other film elements here are used in the Tarantino film.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bykFFJhUCvM
Master of the Flying Guillotine 1975 Taiwan/Hong Kong
Cheesy as it looks, it's one of the most influential Kung Fu films of all time.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFi95mgJBZk
Drunken Monkey in the Tiger's Eyes (US Title: Drunken Master) 1978 Hong Kong
In this sequel to Snake in the Eagle's Shadow, Jackie Chan's acrobatic and comic style separated him from athletic and serious Lee and made him an international Kung Fu star.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvyilO0HQ9Q
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DSX3ay154U&feature=fvsr
The Master Killer (US Title: The 36th Chamber of Shaolin) 1978 Hong Kong
Probably the best Kung Fu movie ever. It's on practically everyone's "Best" list.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVx1LW4Ca_c
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcG6ylFJuu0&feature=related
Yagyu Clan Conspiracy (US Title: Shogun's Samurai) 1978 Japan
Often imagined as a loner with sword scabbard as an eye patch, fighting with his hat on and usually, reluctantly, against the forces of Evil, the film is one of many books, comics, cartoons, movies and television series (clip) about Yagyu Jubei - probably Japan's most famous samurai of legend. (I also blog under the name "Jubei" - if you've ever read my blog)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SiANS8X12uk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1G9eQRrFRY&NR=1
Shaolin and Wutang 1981 Hong Kong
Great film about the long rivalry between Shaolin and Wudang schools and stars Gordon Liu of 36th Chamber. Audio clips from this film are sampled in the rap album 36 Chambers by the Wutang Clan.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQEASf4PCZc&playnext=1&list=PLD2CDD1412350EF72
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hcv3N1YdRjI&feature=related
The Legend of Fung Sai Yuk (US Title: The Legend) 1993 Hong Kong
The fight scenes are better than the movie.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRthvFuXISU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmeyyRXF6tk
Fist of Legend 1994 Hong Kong
If the fight scene looks familiar, its a retelling of Bruce Lee's 1972 Fist of Fury. Some of the old actors and familiar props appear in the new film.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TtNGVDFGpVk&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KiNIucEKPm4&feature=related
My Father is a Hero (US Title: The Enforcer) 1994 Hong Kong
First seen as a double feature with Fung Sai Yuk on Hong Kong movie night at the UC Theater in Berkeley in 1994 it was the first time I saw a Kung Fu movie set in modern times. This film also featured the great Hong Kong singer and actress Anita Mui, who plays the cop hot on Jet Li’s trail. After this fight scene I became a Jet Li fan, started watching Kung Fu movies again and preferred subtitles over dubbing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_glXJfXAoxA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYiNp8seaLU&feature=related
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon 2000 Taiwan
Perfect.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iv_ed5VmoD8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GknXkeKDDA&feature=related
Kill Bill 2003,2004 United States
All my favorite martial art movies rolled into one. Thurman's jumpsuit is from Bruce Lee's Game of Death 1978, Johnny Mo and Pai Mei are played by the star of 36th Chamber of Shaolin, Gordon Liu and Sonny Chiba was already famous in Japan as Yagyu Jubei and Hattori Hanzo, before playing Hanzo for Kill Bill. Not only did Tarantino do his homework, right down to the yellow Bruce Lee jumpsuit and Onitsuka Tiger shoes, but he understood the genre enough to know that no good fight scene is without a good trash talking build up to the actual fight - the battle really begins when you call your opponent out. The music from the right Western movie also helps.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-czwy-aVbbU&feature=PlayList&p=F5E49DE1B486E352&index=50
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMPuDbVZEHg
Kung Fu (US Title: Kung Fu Hustle) 2004 Hong Kong
Highest grossing Hong Kong film in history.
After the opening scene, I didn't know whether to hate the Axe Gang, or join them.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyWhVUCXY1A
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3cC9GN3QFg
Azumi, Azumi 2: Death or Love 2006 Japan
My current favorite. Sure, it's no Yojimbo or Lady Snowblood..but who wouldn't want Aya Ueto coming to their rescue?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijSAe9u8Yvg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6E2i1LGNCo8&feature=related
Zatoichi 1962 – 2003 Japan
Several Japanese actors have played this legendary blind swordsman in several t.v. series and over a dozen movies. The 2003 Beat Takeshi Kitano version is really good, but what else would you expect from Beat Takeshi?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3WNmW5X8dI
Still, everyone has their favorite Zatoichi. Mine is Shintaro Katsu…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HCcH8-fVNY