4 of 6

Write now Article Tools

Page 2 of 2

in the martial arts during the 1970's. In a way, it expressed the importance of training to achieve the desired goals set in mastering this once mysterious art.

4.Once Upon A Time In China (series of films) (1991)

Jet Li's Wong Fei Hung, the real life Hung Gar master, is a masterful piece of work. I always enjoy the films where the star never, or seldom gets hit by his opponents, proving that they know defense very well. Bruce Lee's quick dispatch of his opponents in his films are the best, as opposed to long, drawn out fights. .Jet Li disposes of his lesser enemies appropriately while carefully pacing himself during bouts against more accomplished masters. This is excellent martial arts cinema.

Lastly, a film not actually categorized as a martial arts film', but rather a commentary on cultural differences (between the West and the East), the social issue of caring for senior family members, and a realistic study of Tai Chi Chuan, one of the oldest Kung Fu styles, it's practice and it's discipline.

5.Pushing Hands

Ang Lee's 1992 directorial debut was a wonderful film despite some critics ( possibly spoiled by modern cinema's spectacular depiction of martial arts , I.E.: excessive violence, chase scenes, breasts and bullets), who found this film to be rather slow moving. This film is still a highly sought after piece of work. It displayed Tai Chi in a more realistic fashion, in the main character Master Chu, played by Sihung Lung. Not a lot of action in this one, but one of my favorite films overall.

There is an absence here of Jackie Chan films, as well as American's Chuck Norris and Steven Seagal. While many of their films were entertaining (especially Chan's movies), they didn't possess the elements that I look for in a martial arts film. I recently saw a 1979 Shaw Brothers film, 'Heroes Of The East', which had very good fight sequences and a very good story. Should I expand my list to the top ten martial arts films, I would include it as a good representation of the arts in cinema. For now, not many can argue with most of my selections, as being the best in martial arts films.

Learn more about this author, Kenneth Myers.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

• << previous page
• 1
• 2

Add your voice

Know something about Best martial arts movies?
We want to hear your view. Write now!