Overview
A martial arts master stands against foreign invaders to protect his homeland and ideals.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Graphic
- propulsive
- heroic
- grand
- martial arts movie night
- hong kong cinema marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film as a highly energetic and accomplished martial arts epic combining inventive action choreography with historical and anti-colonial drama.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Wong Fei-Hung protects his school and community while confronting English, French, and American forces exploiting late Qing China.
Aunt Yee returns from America westernized, prompting debates over ideals, identity, and the limits of imported values.
The film foregrounds intricate kung fu battles and heroic martial-arts movement as its primary spectacle.
Wong Fei-Hung serves simultaneously as martial arts master, protector of Aunt Yee, and leader of a local school and militia.
Films like Once Upon a Time in China, and why
Fist of Fury
stylized martial arts action, anti-colonial themes, and charismatic heroic performance
Ip Man
period martial arts spectacle centered on national identity and resistance to foreign power
The Blade
hong kong action choreography, historical setting, and principled fighter confronting oppressive forces
Movie Details
- Director
- Tsui Hark
- Release Date
- 1991-08-15
- Runtime
- 133 min
- Rating
- 7.1 / 10 (505)
Cast
- Jet Li
- Yuen Biao
- Jacky Cheung Hok-Yau
- Rosamund Kwan Chi-Lam
- Kent Cheng Jak-Si
- Yuen Gam-Fai
- Yen Shi-Kwan
- Lau Shun
- Wu Ma
- Yau Gin-Gwok
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- HBO Max Amazon Channel, Criterion Channel, HBO Max
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Once Upon a Time in China about?
- A legendary Cantonese martial artist defends his community and national dignity as foreign exploitation collides with Qing-era tradition.
- What is Once Upon a Time in China like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Once Upon a Time in China as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Once Upon a Time in China violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Once Upon a Time in China as graphic.
- What did critics think of Once Upon a Time in China?
- Critics broadly praised the film as a highly energetic and accomplished martial arts epic combining inventive action choreography with historical and anti-colonial drama.
- Which films are like Once Upon a Time in China?
- Films with a similar feel include Fist of Fury, Ip Man, and The Blade.
- How long is Once Upon a Time in China?
- Once Upon a Time in China runs 133 minutes.
- Where can I watch Once Upon a Time in China?
- In United States, Once Upon a Time in China streams on HBO Max Amazon Channel, Criterion Channel, HBO Max.
