Jimmy Wang Yu: The Essential Martial Arts Movies

Zatoichi and the One particular-Armed Swordsman (1971)

Of the just one-armed swordsmen films, this 1 is the most cited since it represented the crossover of two franchises, Zatoichi, the blind swordsman (Shintaro Katsu) and Wang’s one particular-armed swordsman, renamed Wang Kang, possibly to dodge copyright troubles. For Kung Fu film followers, it is a clash of mega-titans like Godzilla vs. Kong. A cooperative effort in between the Japanese Katsu Productions and Chinese Wing Luen Movie Film Corporation, it leans far more to classical Kung Fu choreography than samurai chanbara. Even the audio effects audio much more like a Kung Fu flick. Miscommunications amongst Zatoichi and Wang as the two converse their native tongues deliver most of the comedy. 

Zatoichi and the Just one-Armed Swordsman incorporates some delicious ultraviolence: a toothpick to the eyeball, an ear-ectomy, a severed sword bearing hand echoed by Star Wars. Having said that, it is not a stand-out illustration of Zatoichi movies, which is these kinds of an astounding franchise that it’s component of the Criterion Selection. It is additional of a failed attempt to crossover to the Kung Fu market place, a deviant facet observe. 

There’s a prevailing rumor that there had been two versions of the movie. In the Japanese version, Zatoichi wins the last duel. In the Chinese variation, both equally heroes die. Even so, the Chinese model has disappeared. Potentially it under no circumstances existed.

On a facet notice, the soundtrack is by Isao Tomita, or as several know him, Tomita. Tomita was a pioneer of digital and place tunes in the course of the 70s who included many classical arrangements with synthesizers. 

The Gentleman from Hong Kong (1975)

In a split from his regular period of time martial arts films, Wang took on this contemporary-day spin on vigilantes and spies akin in the spirit of James Bond, so considerably so that it stars one-time Bond George Lazenby. Right after leaving Bond, Lazenby tried to get some traction in Chinese cinema with this movie and Stoner (1974) costarring Angela Mao Ying. The Person from Hong Kong was a extra thriving venture – a satirical self-informed movie that aspires only to entertain with some sound motion and humor.

Australia had its possess exceptional manufacturer of grindhouse actioners, dubbed Ozsploitation. This film was an early cooperation amongst Hong Kong’s Golden Harvest studios and Australia’s The Film Company and The Person from Hong Kong is a enjoyable mash up of the Ozploitation and Kung Fu genres.

Wang performs Inspector Fang Sing Leng of the Royal Hong Kong Police Force sent to Sydney to aid the Australian Federal Narcotics Bureau when a Chinese drug smuggler turns up. Lazenby performs Jack Wilton, a drug kingpin who comes about to run a martial arts school. As neither Wang nor Lazenby were being martial artists, the fight scenes are fewer polished than when Wang has been on his personal turf. Yet, the fights are offered a enhance veteran Sammo Hung, who served as Martial Arts Choreographer.