by Kenneth Myers

Created on: July 14, 2008

There has been many martial arts films over the years that were quite memorable, and well made. But I have chosen only five to top my all-time best list. I chose these only because of the elements they possess that I consider the essence of great martial arts filmmaking. I did not consider the action film element, as perceived by Western filmmakers and movie goers (the Hollywood blockbuster). I have considered, being a martial art practitioner, the representation of the arts, as portrayed on film in an almost authentic manner.

1. Enter The Dragon (1973)

While the storyline in this film is not great, Bruce Lee's action sequences are undoubtedly the best ever captured on celluloid. Many have argued that his fighting scenes display less Kung Fu technique in favor of sheer brutality (scenes of Lee snapping necks and stomping the hell out of his opponents), but one could say that his performance was quite unique at the time. Never before had movie goers seen such a fierce fighting machine. His films started a renewed interest in the arts, without a doubt. His style of no style' had martial artists re-examining their training methods, because the little dragon' seemed to have the answer.

2.Fist Of Legend (1994)

Jet Li's take on an earlier Bruce Lee film, Fist Of Fury' (or the Chinese Connection', as it's Western theatrical release was entitled) will forever be compared to Lee's film. For myself, it was an introduction to Jet Li's art, most impressive and quite realistic in it's execution. This was clearly the best adaptation of the story, which was based on true events during Japan's occupation of China. Here, the fighting sequences were well choreographed , blow by blow, and wonderful to watch. Bruce Lee's performance was admirable as well, but I chose Li's Fist' as the better of the two because the acting was much better and the story unfolded much more smoothly. The final fight scenes are some of the best ever seen on film.

3.Five Fingers Of Death (1972)

Starring famous martial arts movie star Lieh Lo, this film broke around the time Bruce Lee's 'Fist of Fury' (aka 'The Chinese Connection') came out, and was regarded as one of the best Kung Fu dramas to hit the big screen. Although it possessed a lot of the old action seqeunce techniques of Chinese filmmaking, such as the use of wires to suspend the actors in what could be best described as unbelievable flying moves during battles, it remains one of my all-time favorites because it contributed to the new found interest

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