10 Greatest Martial Arts Film Performances Of The Seventies

The Seventies signify a supreme interval within the context of martial arts films. Though these movies have been being launched as early because the Twenties, this decade successfully put the style on the map and introduced mainstream reputation with a few of the greatest martial arts film performances of all time. The love for martial arts cinema continued within the following years, with hit releases like The Karate Child, which made such an impression it warranted a Karate Child sequel 40 years later.

Certainly, essentially the most legendary determine of this era was Bruce Lee. As a pioneer of cinematic martial arts, Lee’s performances have been so nice they produced a brand new sub-genre generally known as Bruceploitation movies that have been geared toward emulating his fashion. Whereas he’s definitely a family title for this decade and past of martial arts films, there are a number of extra standout performances from the Seventies that majorly affected the style.

10

Chiang Sheng

5 Lethal Venoms (1978)

5 Lethal Venoms is an authorized martial arts cult basic from the Seventies. It was a product of and one of many greatest films by the Shaw Brothers Studio, essentially the most acclaimed kung fu manufacturing firm ever. The movie follows the story of a kung fu grasp on the verge of dying who sends his closing scholar to trace down his 5 earlier pupils. Chiang Sheng portrays Yang Tieh, the sixth pupil, who units off on a mission to tackle college students rumored to be evil.

There are a number of noteworthy performances on this movie, however Sheng’s is exclusive. Though it’s a bit campy, the choreography behind his combating approach is nicely finished. Above all, it demonstrates his range. All through the plot, Sheng has to face off in opposition to opponents who all make use of totally different animal-based combating kinds: The Centipede, the Snake, the Scorpion, the Lizard, and the Toad. As such, he has to adapt his fashion to account for the weak point of his enemies, and it is mirrored in his fight.

9

Chuck Norris

The Means Of The Dragon (1972)

Even the point out of Chuck Norris’ title is highly effective sufficient to strike worry into folks’s hearts. He’s a real icon of the style and a residing legend within the combating world. Even with such an completed profession, his early efficiency alongside Bruce Lee is one among his greatest. Though it was solely his second film, Norris’ function as Colt in The Means of the Dragon introduced him onto the martial arts scene.

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Whereas Lee was the spectacle of this movie, Norris’ presence stands out, even together with his restricted display time. In probably the most well-known showdowns in cinematic historical past, Lee (Tang Lung) and Norris (Colt) go toe to toe within the Coliseum. Throughout their epic showdown, Norris reveals off a wide range of spectacular strikes, solidifying his legendary efficiency. The combat was so iconic that there are speculations on whether or not Norris and Lee fought in actual life.

8

Lo Lieh

Executioners From Shaolin (1977)

In the case of martial arts movies from the Seventies, Lo Lieh’s title comes up rather a lot. Born in Indonesia and raised in Hong Kong, Lieh spent years sharpening his combating expertise. Whereas appeared in lots of function movies across the decade, together with King Boxer (1972) and Clan of the White Lotus (1980), Lieh’s efficiency in Executioners from Shaolin takes the cake.

Within the movie, Lieh portrays Pai Mei, an evil priest who in the end faces off in opposition to Hong Hsi-Kuan (Chen Kuan-Tai). Certainly, Lieh’s greatest scene takes place within the closing moments of the movie. Throughout his combat with Kuan-Tai, his aura is unmatched. It is much less in regards to the complexity or velocity of his strategies, however merely how invincible Lieh appears. For a lot of the combat, he predicts his opponent’s strikes and makes use of them in opposition to him. Even when he’s grabbed within the face, he is not fazed.

7

David Chiang

The New One-Armed Swordsman (1971)

David Chiang made a reputation for himself within the 60s and 70s for his collaborations with the Shaw Brothers Studio. He’s a seasoned martial artist, actor, and director, who has carved out a big house within the general style. He’s identified for a lot of movies, however his presence within the One-Armed Swordsman franchise reigns supreme.

Of the varied movies, Chiang delivers his most iconic efficiency in The New One-Armed Swordsman, and it assuredly stands out on the earth of martial arts films.

Within the movie, Chiang, taking part in Lei Li, is out for revenge. After dropping his arm early within the movie, he continues all through the plot, solely combating with one hand. Whereas this can be a repeated idea, Chiang executes it the most effective. His efficiency appears so pure, it could appear as if he’s simpler combating this manner. It’s notably spectacular with regard to the swordplay choreography, and the way Chiang carries it out so masterfully.

6

Gordon Liu

The thirty sixth Chamber Of Shaolin (1978)

Gordon Liu is taken into account probably the most ruthless martial arts film stars. Though he was already well-known by the tip of the twentieth century, he turned much more well-liked when he portrayed Johnny Mo and Grasp Pai Mei within the Kill Invoice franchise. A lot earlier, in one other collaboration with the Shaw Brothers, Liu does not maintain again in The thirty sixth Chamber of Shaolin.

Within the movie, Liu’s character is skilled by monks in a Shaolin temple, and the applying of his approach is flawless. The combat scenes aren’t too drawn out, and Liu’s efficiency gives a extra holistic presentation of the kung fu fashion. The coaching scenes are particularly charming, demonstrating how his strikes translate to actual battles. It is a wonderful movie general and Liu’s presence solely makes it higher.

5

Jackie Chan

Drunken Grasp (1978)

Jackie Chan, a person who wants no introduction, introduced an power to the martial arts style that few others may. Though he appeared as a stunt double in collaborations alongside Bruce Lee, he did not start starring in roles till the late Seventies. Undoubtedly, one among his most spectacular performances comes from his portrayal of Wong Fei Hung in The Drunken Grasp. This film presents an fascinating instance for the style, as a result of it is comedic, however his efficiency is stellar.

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As he drinks rice wine and embodies the fabled drunken boxing fashion, Chan’s loopy athleticism shines. His strategies within the movie have actual roots within the historical past of kung fu. The drunken fashion is supposed to emulate the demeanor of a drunk particular person, emphasizing fluidity and false actions. Chan sheds mild on this fight methodology in a comical method, but it surely does not take away from his magnificence. Though it appears impractical, he presents an actual menace, making Chan’s actions all of the extra genius.

4

Bruce Lee

Fist Of Fury (1972)

Bruce Lee is actually the pioneer of the martial arts cinematic world. He successfully ushered the system of kung fu films into the fashionable period in an epic trend. Though his profession was sadly short-lived, he delivered a number of of the style’s most spectacular performances. For example, Lee’s greatness in Fist of Fury is a mixture of his fight capacity and the way he’s portrayed within the movie.

Bruce Lee

Birthdate

November 27, 1940

Birthplace

San Francisco, California, USA

Each punch, kick, and elbow Lee throws in Fist of Fury feels actual and audible. His mannerisms solely add to the expertise as he yells throughout his actions. This was additionally one of many first movies the place Lee demonstrated his unmatched nunchuck prowess. The combat scene within the dojo encapsulates his on-screen persona the most effective. As he swings the weapon round his physique at excessive velocity, his opponents look upon him in horror, and for good purpose.

3

Angela Mao

The Indignant River (1971)

Angela Mao comes from a background of opera performers and first turned conversant in martial arts in a Peking Opera college. Contemplating The Indignant River was her first movie, she got here out swinging, presenting her fight proficiency in an illustrious method. It won’t be her hottest or critically acclaimed movie, however her highly effective presence is plain.

Her efficiency on this movie is noteworthy for a number of causes, however maybe most significantly, it demonstrates a spectacle of sword combating strategies that had by no means been seen earlier than. It is not nearly her fight both, as Mao reveals sturdy emotion throughout her time on display in The Indignant River, which is a testomony to her performing capacity. Whereas the pacing of this movie generally is a bit odd, Mao units the bar excessive for the martial arts movie actresses that will comply with her.

2

Jimmy Wang Yu

The Hammer Of God (1970)

Usually thought-about Bruce Lee’s rival, Jimmy Wang Yu was a stone-cold killer in martial arts cinema. The Hammer of God, also referred to as The Chinese language Boxer, follows Lei Ming, portrayed by Wang Yu, as he seeks out the assailants who killed his grasp and destroyed his college. The Hammer of God is taken into account top-of-the-line movies within the historical past of martial arts, and for good purpose.

Contemplating Wang Yu’s ruthless fashion of combating, proven in his one-hit sword assaults in Golden Swallow (1968), he’s significantly extra tame on this movie. But, it does not take away from the magnitude of his efficiency. The cinematography of this film properly enhances Wang Yu’s fight scenes. As he flips via the air and lands strikes in opposition to a number of opponents without delay, the digital camera follows him in a method that makes the motion really feel personable. His white masks and gloves make his picture within the movie all of the extra iconic.

1

Bruce Lee

Enter The Dragon (1973)

Though it was his second to final undertaking, Enter the Dragon turned Lee into a global famous person. On lists of the best martial arts films of all time, this movie is often within the primary spot. This would not have been the case had it not been for Lee’s groundbreaking efficiency. There are such a lot of noteworthy fights in Enter The Dragon that it is laborious to decide on one which proves why that is essentially the most legendary cinematic combating show ever seen.

Lee does the whole lot proper on this film. From the strain to the bone-crunching contact, it looks like martial arts in its purest type. The one-of-a-kind combat choreography is the cherry on high. Lee places on a kung fu clinic, pulling out strikes which have by no means been seen earlier than, whereas his combat within the room of mirrors ties all of it collectively. It is a easy, one-on-one match, however the performing and surroundings make it a particular and immersive expertise. Lee’s function in Enter the Dragon is the whole lot a martial arts efficiency ought to be.

Enter the Dragon is a well-liked martial artist film starring Bruce Lee. The 1973 movie focuses on a Shaolin martial artist who infiltrates an opium lord’s fortress by pretending to be interested by a combating match. Robert Clouse directed the movie, which co-starred John Saxon, Jim Kelly, and Ahna Capri.

Director

Robert Clouse

Launch Date

August 19, 1973

Studio(s)

Harmony Productions
, Warner Bros.

Writers

Michael Allin

Solid

Bruce Lee
, John Saxon
, Ahna Capri
, Bob Wall
, Shih Kien
, Jim Kelly

Runtime

102 Minutes

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