When you think about the 1991 Once Upon a Time in China movie, you probably see a blur of umbrellas and high-flying kicks. It’s iconic. Honestly, if you grew up watching kung fu flicks on grainy VHS tapes or caught them during late-night TV marathons, this film likely shifted your perspective on what an action movie could actually be. It wasn't just about punching. It was about an era ending.
Tsui Hark, the director, basically reinvented a folk hero who had already been played to death in Hong Kong cinema. Before 1991, Wong Fei-hung was usually portrayed as an older, stern, almost fatherly figure—most famously by Kwan Tak-hing in dozens of films. Then Jet Li stepped in. He was young. He was fast. He brought this weird, quiet intensity that made the character feel human for the first time in years.
The movie isn't just a fight fest. It’s a messy, beautiful, and sometimes painful look at the Qing Dynasty crumbling under the weight of Western imperialism. You’ve got British and American forces looming in the background, steamships puffing smoke into the Foshan sky, and a culture trying to decide if it should keep its traditions or trade them for guns. It’s heavy stuff, but Tsui Hark hides it behind some of the most creative choreography ever filmed.
The Umbrella Scene and the Magic of Yuen Wo-ping
Let's talk about that umbrella. In the first major skirmish, Wong Fei-hung uses a simple paper umbrella to dismantle a gang of thugs. It’s not just a cool prop; it’s a statement. It shows his grace and his refusal to use "hard" violence until he absolutely has to. The choreography here, handled by the legendary Yuen Wo-ping (who later did The Matrix and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon), is fluid. It’s like a dance, but one where people get their ribs cracked.
Did you know Jet Li was actually injured during a lot of the filming? It's true. He suffered a severe ankle injury during the ladder fight scene at the end. Because of that, if you look closely at some of the wide shots in that climactic battle, it’s actually a stunt double—often Hung Yan-yan, who later played Clubfoot in the sequels—performing those insane flips. Li’s upper body movements were so precise, though, that the editors stitched it together seamlessly. Most people never even notice.
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Why the Cultural Conflict Hits Different in 2026
Watching the Once Upon a Time in China movie today feels different than it did in the 90s. We’re more tuned into stories about globalization and lost identity now. The character of "13th Aunt," played by Rosamund Kwan, is the perfect vessel for this theme. She comes back from the West wearing Victorian dresses and carrying a camera. Wong Fei-hung is clearly fascinated by her, but he’s also terrified of what her world represents.
There’s this one quiet moment where she tries to teach him how to say "I love you" in English. He mispronounces it, and it’s a rare moment of vulnerability for a "god-like" martial artist. It grounds the movie. It reminds us that even heroes are confused when the world changes overnight.
The villains aren't just the "foreign devils." The real tragedy is the local corruption. You have the Shaho Gang—low-level thugs exploiting their own people—and Iron Shirt Yim. Yim is a fascinating antagonist. He’s not "evil" in the cartoon sense. He’s a master martial artist who is starving and desperate. He wants to prove his kung fu is superior just so he can get a decent meal. It makes the final showdown feel less like a victory and more like a tragedy. When Wong Fei-hung eventually wins, it doesn't feel like the problems of Foshan are solved. The ships are still there. The guns are still there.
Technical Mastery and the "Wuxia" Style
Tsui Hark didn't want this to look like a standard Shaw Brothers movie from the 70s. He wanted scope. He used wide lenses and Dutch angles to make the sets feel massive. The lighting is often warm and amber, giving the whole film a nostalgic, "once upon a time" glow that matches the title.
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The music? If you’ve heard the theme song "A Man of Determination" (based on the traditional tune "Under the General's Orders"), you know it’s an absolute banger. It’s the kind of song that makes you want to go out and practice horse stance in your backyard. George Lam’s vocals on the track became synonymous with Wong Fei-hung's heroic presence.
- The Ladder Fight: This took weeks to film. It involves multiple shifting ladders in a warehouse. It’s a vertical masterpiece of cinema.
- The Iron Shirt Myth: The film plays with the idea of "Iron Cloth" or "Golden Bell" Qigong, where a fighter can make their body impervious to blades.
- Historical Accuracy: While the movie is a fictionalized legend, the real Wong Fei-hung was a physician and martial artist who lived from 1847 to 1924. He really did practice at Po Chi Lam.
Honestly, the Once Upon a Time in China movie succeeded because it balanced the "wire-fu" spectacle with genuine political anxiety. It wasn't just about who had the faster kick; it was about whether a kick could stop a bullet. Spoiler alert: it usually can't, and the movie is smart enough to acknowledge that.
Misconceptions About the Jet Li Era
Some people think Jet Li did all the movies in the series. He didn't. He left after the third one due to contract disputes with Golden Harvest. Vincent Zhao took over for parts four and five. While Zhao is a fantastic martial artist, the "soul" felt a bit different without Li’s specific brand of stoicism. Li eventually came back for Once Upon a Time in China and America, which is... let's just say it's a very weird "Wong Fei-hung goes to the Wild West" movie that hasn't aged quite as well as the original 1991 masterpiece.
Another thing? People often confuse this film with the "Iron Monkey" movie. While they share characters (Iron Monkey features a young Wong Fei-hung and his father, Wong Kei-ying), they are totally different tonally. Once Upon a Time in China is a historical epic; Iron Monkey is more of a Robin Hood-style romp.
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Practical Ways to Experience the Movie Today
If you’re looking to watch it now, don't just settle for a cropped YouTube clip. You need to see the restored versions.
- Seek out the Criterion Collection: They released a box set of the first five films. The 4K restoration of the first movie is gorgeous. The colors pop, and the grain is preserved, so it looks like film, not a plastic digital mess.
- Watch with Subtitles, Not Dubbed: I know, reading is work. But the original Cantonese performances—especially Jet Li’s subtle vocal delivery—carry so much more weight than the often-cheesy English dubs.
- Pay Attention to the Background: In the market scenes, look at the props. The production design team spent a fortune recreating 19th-century Canton. It’s incredibly detailed.
- Listen for the "No Shadow Kick": This became Wong Fei-hung’s signature move in the series. It’s essentially a series of kicks so fast the opponent can't see the "shadow" of the foot. It’s pure cinematic flair, but man, it looks cool.
The Once Upon a Time in China movie remains a pillar of world cinema. It’s one of those rare cases where a commercial blockbuster actually had something profound to say about history. It’s why, thirty-plus years later, we’re still talking about it. It’s why every time a new martial arts movie comes out, critics inevitably compare it to the standard Jet Li set in 1991.
If you haven't seen it in a while, go back and watch the ladder fight. It’s still better than 90% of the CGI-heavy action scenes we see in theaters today. The physicality is real. The stakes feel real. And Wong Fei-hung remains the ultimate symbol of a man trying to hold onto his dignity while the world turns upside down.
To truly appreciate the impact, watch the first three films back-to-back. You’ll see the evolution of the character from a local hero to a national symbol. After that, look up the documentary The Making of Once Upon a Time in China to see just how dangerous those wire stunts actually were for the performers.