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Once Upon a Time in China

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Once Upon a Time in China

R

Released May 20, 1992

1h 35m

Action

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Popcornmeter

90%

Tomatometer

30 Reviews

88%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

A man (Jet Li) must protect his martial-arts school while sorting out his feelings for a young woman (Biao Yuen) who is his aunt by adoption.

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Steve Murray

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Hark's main goal -- as he sees actors and props spinning through the air in dazzling action ballets -- is to keep us wondering, "How'd They Do That?"

Jul 27, 2023

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Time Out

Its real strengths are its choreography, its flashes of wit, and its all-round exuberance.

Jan 26, 2006

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Stephen Holden

New York Times

A witty, extravagantly picturesque homage to Sergio Leone.

May 20, 2003

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Tim Brayton

Alternate Ending

As much a grave history lesson as a giddy celebration of its stunt team's physical prowess.

Rated: 4/5

Oct 27, 2023

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Brian Susbielles

InSession Film

Each film moves up in the timeline as Li/Zhao faces various challenges with a modern China forming as the old lifestyle is fading away, making Wong a rarity.

Mar 1, 2023

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David Harris

Spectrum Culture

Once Upon a Time in China still possesses the power to awe, to make us believe in the power and magic of the movies.

Sep 27, 2022

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Leprechaun K

This paved the way for dozens of other similar themed movies to come. Its marked the beginning of Tsui Hark's signature stylistic martial arts action.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/27/25

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Michael W

This martial arts movie was great. Jet Li, Rosamund Kwan, Hung Yan-yan, Biu Yeun, and the rest of the cast did a great job in this movie. The plot of the movie was action-packed, insane, and dramatic. It's a well choreographed martial arts movie about protecting your home and defending your country. If you haven't seen this movie yet, check it out sometime. It's a must see.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

08/11/24

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Liam D

The movie that made Jet Li (The Bodyguard from Beijing, The Enforcer) into an international superstar with Tsui Hark (Knock Off, We're Going to Eat You) stylish direction to create an historical martial arts movie with some decent comedy

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/15/24

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noah g

the fight scenes and stunts are insane

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/07/24

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Matthew B

Best of Movies/TV Series Collection

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/19/22

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johnathon w

Classic martial arts film that ranks as one of Jet Li's best, thanks to some brilliant action scenes and larger drama about foreign occupation of China during the 19th century. Li is superb as Master Wong, a martial arts teacher trying to do the right thing despite foreign corruption, along with rival gangs. While the drama is a bit melodramatic at times, the filmmakers provide some nice balance, showing the some Chinese are complicit in the corruption while some foreigners do the right thing (a Jesuit priest is shown to be a friend of Wong's when he needs him). The highlight, though, are the brilliant fight sequences, building to the legendary warehouse fight when Li and his opponent fly of ladders to fight each other. A true classic and must watch for any martial arts fan.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

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Hark Tsui

Director

Jet Li

Wong Fei-hung

Rosamund Kwan

Aunt Yee

Biao Yuen

Leung Fu

Steve Tartalia

Tiger

Jacky Cheung

Buck Teeth Soh

Once Upon a Time in China II

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Synopsis

A man (Jet Li) must protect his martial-arts school while sorting out his feelings for a young woman (Biao Yuen) who is his aunt by adoption.

Director: Hark Tsui
Producer: Hark Tsui
Screenwriter: Hark Tsui, Yiu Ming Leung
Distributor: Republic Pictures
Production Co: Golden Harvest, Paragon Films, Film Workshop Ltd.
Rating: R
Genre: Action
Original Language: Chinese
Release Date (Theaters): May 20, 1992, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 16, 2020
Runtime: 1h 35m

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