Fist of Legend

R

Released Feb 28, 1994

1h 43m

Action

List

100%

Tomatometer

10 Reviews

92%

Audience Score

25,000+ Ratings

Chinese martial arts student Chen Zhen (Jet Li) is studying in Kyoto, Japan, when he learns his mentor has died in a match against Ryuichi Akutagawa (Jackson Liu). Returning home to the Japanese-occupied Shanghai of 1937, Chen challenges Ryuichi to a fight and easily defeats him. Concluding his master was set up, Chen has an autopsy performed. Meanwhile, word of his martial arts skill entices new students hoping to study with him, making his teacher's son, Huo Ting-An (Chin Siu Ho), jealous.

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Joey O'Bryan

Austin Chronicle

Although this is disappointing, there are more than enough good scenes (both action and otherwise) to keep this enterprise afloat and entertaining.

Rated: 2.5/5

Jan 1, 2000

Full Review

Spence D.

IGN Movies

Rated: 5/5

Dec 17, 2004

Full Review

Michael Dequina

TheMovieReport.com

All of the intricately choreographed fighting is real, proving the doubters of Li's fighting skills very wrong.

Rated: 3.5/4

Jan 7, 2004

Full Review

Darrin Keene

Film Threat

Rated: 3/5

Feb 4, 2003

Full Review

James Rocchi

Netflix

Jet Li remakes Bruce Lee, and the result is great.

Rated: 4/5

Nov 7, 2002

Full Review

Oz

eFilmCritic.com

If you don't feel the bones breaking, you're not watching closely enough.

Rated: 5/5

Jul 21, 2002

Full Review

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StephenPaul C

The greatest 01 hour: and 43 minutes ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/18/23

Full Review

Matthew B

Best of Movies/TV Series Collection

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/19/22

Full Review

ana s

a masterpiece everything was super good

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

carlos t

Minha opinião: Um dos filmes que mais gosto de Jet Li. O filme é uma reprodução do filme de @Brucelee "Á Furia do Dragão" Onde Jet Li reproduz com maestria a luta dele com todo Dojyo de japoneses. Uma das cenas ícones de Bruce Lee. A narração é muito parecida com o filme original. Onde matam o mestre e Jet vai buscar quem foi o responsável. Onde tem toda a trama do japoneses contra ele. Um diferencial neste filme é o romance de Jet com Shinobu e também seu relacionamento com o tio Kurata. A luta dentro do templo com seu amigo e a luta final onde o general japonês, muito bem efetuado. Um dos filmes em que Jet Li atua. Roteiro: Um roteiro bem produzido, que traz uma trama de romance, vingança, traição, lutas,.... Vários temperos neste filme. Vale apena assistir? Sim, com certeza. Nota: 8

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

William L

A very traditional martial arts film in all the best ways, and surprisingly palatable in others, Fist of Legend is one of Jet Li's best action roles. The film operates on a familiar model - a fighter defending the honor of his school when it is under attack, and a Chinese vs. Japanese confrontation - but despite being released in the mid-90s it doesn't try to spring for big budget effects, gratuitous humor, or high-risk stunts (in the way that a similar Jackie Chan film would), instead sticking to no less impressive direct combat, but with dramatically improved cinematography compared to that available to Bruce Lee in the film's original version, Fist of Fury. Jet Li comfortably shoulders the physical demands of his character here, delivering some fast-flying-fist action that may make you shake your head at the athleticism. But what is equally surprising is the film's refusal to dive deeply into the rabid nationalism that defines many of the most prominent martial arts films, usually with some noble and incorruptible Chinese hero overcoming all adversity (and usually some underhanded tactics) to beat a comically evil Japanese villain. While shades of that structure are here, there is a much greater emphasis on character depth and nuance then you might expect, with Li's Chen Zhen shouldering accusations of traitorous behavior for his love of a Japanese woman, and Yasuaki Kurata's half-enemy/half-mentor figure each adding more humanity than rally 'round the flag low-hanging fruit. A return to the slightly more dramatic martial arts films that started the genre, Fist of Legend keeps up with the times thanks to a focus on grounded practical combat choreography and decent storytelling. (3.5/5)

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

06/10/22

Full Review

Audience Member

a marvel to watch, great film

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/13/23

Full Review

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Gordon Chan

Director

Jet Li

Chen Zhen

Chin Siu Ho

Hou Ting-An

Billy Chow Bei-Lei

General Fujita (Supreme Killer)

Yasuaki Kurata

Funakochi Fumio

Paul Chun

Uncle Noh

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Synopsis

Chinese martial arts student Chen Zhen (Jet Li) is studying in Kyoto, Japan, when he learns his mentor has died in a match against Ryuichi Akutagawa (Jackson Liu). Returning home to the Japanese-occupied Shanghai of 1937, Chen challenges Ryuichi to a fight and easily defeats him. Concluding his master was set up, Chen has an autopsy performed. Meanwhile, word of his martial arts skill entices new students hoping to study with him, making his teacher's son, Huo Ting-An (Chin Siu Ho), jealous.

Director: Gordon Chan
Producer: Jet Li
Screenwriter: Gordon Chan, Lan Kay Toa, Kwong Kim Yip
Distributor: Miramax Films
Production Co: Miramax
Rating: R
Genre: Action
Original Language: Chinese
Release Date (Theaters): Feb 28, 1994, Original
Release Date (Streaming): May 22, 2017
Runtime: 1h 43m