Martial-arts movies are Hong Kong’s specialty. We run down the very best that are made here.

9

The Eight Diagram Pole Fighter | 五郎八卦棍 (1984)

Another Gordon Liu classic, by the time this Shaw Brothers’ effort was released, it was already something of an anachronism – the period costumes and simple plots already being eclipsed by Jackie Chan’s death-defying stunts and modern production. Still, it’s a classic for a reason. A dark and brooding kung-fu flick that with all its clichés – evil queens, traitorous generals, honourable heroes with spunky sister sidekicks – is a perfect introduction to Hong Kong action cinema.

10

Police Story | 警察故事 (1985)

One of the most audacious and breath-taking Hong Kong movies ever made, Police Story marks the highpoint of Jackie Chan’s career. Whether it’s Chan clinging on for dear life to a bus speeding ’round corners or the climactic brawl in Wing On Plaza, the film is frequently jaw-dropping. It’s no wonder that the various injuries accrued during filming meant Chan found it almost impossible to find insurance for his subsequent movies.

7

Project A | A計劃 (1983)

One of Jackie Chan’s finest movies – which is really saying something – Project A sees him and co-stars Sammo Hung and Yuen Biao all on top form. The film follows three marines in early 20th-century Hong Kong out to eliminate a gang of pirates harassing the South China Sea. Chan’s clocktower stunt, in homage to Buster Keaton, is still incredible to see.

8

The Eight Diagram Pole Fighter | 五郎八卦棍 (1984)

Another Gordon Liu classic, by the time this Shaw Brothers’ effort was released, it was already something of an anachronism – the period costumes and simple plots already being eclipsed by Jackie Chan’s death-defying stunts and modern production. Still, it’s a classic for a reason. A dark and brooding kung-fu flick that with all its clichés – evil queens, traitorous generals, honourable heroes with spunky sister sidekicks – is a perfect introduction to Hong Kong action cinema.

5

The Five Venoms | 五毒 (1978)

A cult hit in the west, The Five Venoms sees a dying master, dismayed by tales that his five former students have turned to crime, training his final student Yan Tieh (Chiang Sheng) so he can go kill the evil students. A Shaw Brothers classic, this features all the hallmarks of that studio’s best works – a straightforward plot, cool characters, glamorous costumes, plenty of extras and lightning fast kung fu.

6

The Magnificent Butcher | 林世榮 (1979)

One of the finest ‘classical’ kung-fu movies ever made – before Jackie Chan and his stunt work took martial-arts movies in a new direction – The Magnificent Butcher is also Sammo Hung at his best. It’s a rare collaboration between Hung and legendary fight choreographer Yuen Wo-ping, who would eventually gain international recognition with the awesome – and very HK-inspired – action scenes in The Matrix.

4

2

Way of the Dragon | 猛龍過江 (1972)

Whether or not you think Fist of Fury or Way of the Dragon is better, everyone can both agree that they’re excellent. Lee actually directs this effort, which sees his character head to Rome to protect the family restaurant from a local crime syndicate. The final fight between Lee and Chuck Norris – in the Coliseum, no less – is captivating, but it’s Lee’s savage skill with twin nunchucks earlier in the film that really lingers in the memory.

1

Fist of Fury | 精武門 (1972)

For many, Hong Kong martial-arts movies is best embodied by Bruce Lee. The man is that legendary. Of the four films he starred in during his life, Fist of Fury is probably the best. Quality not just for its ferocious fight scenes, the movie was also a hit for its Chinese nationalism, which saw Lee striking back at the taunt that China was the ‘sick man of Asia’.