Once Upon a Time in China
1991 · Movie · R · 134 min · ★ 7.1 · 72% critics
In late-19th-century southern China, a respected martial arts teacher and healer tries to protect his community as foreign influence grows and local tensions rise. As rival groups clash and people are exploited, he must balance tradition, change, and responsibility while defending those around him.
Where to watch
Streaming on HBO Max.
2 hours to watch.
Stream (included)
Streaming availability and prices may be inaccurate or change — verify with the provider before subscribing.
unSUB's subscription recommendations are informational only, not financial advice.
More value for your money
Similar titles, ranked by watch-hours per subscription dollar.
Details
- Original title
- 黃飛鴻
- Years
- 1991
- Release date
- 1991-08-15
- Language
- CN
- Rated
- R
- Runtime
- 134 min
- Critic score
- 72/100
- TMDB rating
- 7.1/10 (483 votes)
About
You’ll likely enjoy this if you want a lively historical martial-arts adventure with big themes, comedy, and lots of fights; Not for you if you dislike long runtimes, tangled politics, or over-the-top action like in Iron Monkey.
Pros: entertaining martial arts action; humour and romance; epic historical backdrop | Cons: long runtime; muddled middle; melodramatic, kitschy tone
Themes
- martial arts
- kung fu
- hero
- china
- colonisation
- 19th century
- qing dynasty
Cast & crew
Jet Li
as Wong Fei Hung
Yuen Biao
as Leung Foon
Jacky Cheung Hok-Yau
as Buck Teeth So
Rosamund Kwan Chi-Lam
as 13th Aunt
Kent Cheng Jak-Si
as Porky Wing
Yuen Gam-Fai
as Ling Wan Kai
Yen Shi-Kwan
as Iron Robe Yim Chun Tung
Lau Shun
as Naval Commander Lau
Wu Ma
as Grand Uncle Chueng
Yau Gin-Gwok
as Shaho Gang Leader
Directed by Tsui Hark