The classic dynamic of student and teacher has long been a cornerstone of kung-fu cinema, often culminating in the student overtaking and defeating the person who gifted him with his martial arts skills. This can be seen through literal battles where the student surpasses the teacher’s skill and defeats him for the first time. However, in other kung fu films, the defeat can be more symbolic as they utilize the skills they have been given to go further than the teacher was ever capable of, and in the process the student becomes the master.
Many of the greatest kung fu films feature a student versus master dynamic, whether it’s a bright-eyed boy seeking glory or a more withered hero who’s been catapulted into greatness. Many of martial arts cinema’s biggest stars have played pivotal roles in these types of stories, as the growth and power of a student who acquires previously unimaginable skills is a timeless story that resonates across generations. From ridiculous comedies to epic action-packed wuxia films, there have been countless films where the student defeats the master.
10
Snake in the Eagle’s Shadow (1978)
Directed by Yuen Woo-ping
Snake in the shadow of the eagle was made shortly before Jackie Chan achieved his big break with Drunk Masterand similar to the subsequent film, this one was also about a student surpassing his master’s training. Chan played Chien Fu, an orphan boy who is relentlessly bullied at his kung fu school. Desiring to prove his mockers wrong, Chien trained under the guidance of his master, the old beggar Father Cheng-tien (Yuen Siu-tien), who taught him the methods of Snake Kung Fu.
This unique fighting style allowed Chien to overcome those who ridiculed him and eventually surpass his own master’s abilities. Although Pai was always able to surpass Chien in training, after developing his own ‘Cat Claw’ technique, he was able to surpass his own master’s abilities and defeat the sinister master of the Eagle Clan, Sheng Kuan, in battle. . Although viewers never saw Chien defeat his own master, his victory over the only enemy Pai was unable to defeat signaled his progress as a martial arts student.
9
The Prodigal Son (1981)
Directed by Sammo Hung
Kung fu legend Sammo Hung directed and co-wrote the 1980s martial arts classic The prodigal sonwhich told the timeless story of a student surpassing his master. It began when a spoiled young man named Leung Chang (Yuen Biao) discovered that his reputation as a martial arts master was manufactured by his rich father and soon turned into a classic story of overcoming adversity when he meets a true master who takes him on as his own. an apprentice.
While Chang was originally only half studying kung futhe realization that his father was paying his opponents to lose fights convinced him to take his discipline much more seriously. Although this story may sound familiar, Leung Chang was actually based on a real man named Leung Jan, who was an early practitioner of Wing Chun, the style made famous by Ip Man. Like a well-told classic tale, Timed out even classified The prodigal son among its list of the best Hong Kong films of all time.
8
Master of the Flying Guillotine (1976)
Directed by Jimmy Wang Yu
Master of the Flying Guillotine was the wuxia sequel to the 1972 classic One-armed boxerwhich is also known as One-Armed Boxer 2 and The one-armed boxer versus the flying guillotine. With Wang Yu back in the role of Yu Tien Lung, the skilled one-armed Chinese martial artist, this issue saw the martial student face off against numerous enemies, culminating in his confrontation with the Master of the Flying Guillotine, a blind Lama from Tibet. , which sought revenge for two Lamas killed by Tien Lung in the original film.
This idea of ​​the past coming back to haunt a protagonist was combined with the student-master dynamic of the Boxer versus the Master. As a highly influential kung fu film that director Quentin Tarantino described as “one of my favorite films of all time“(through Quentin Tarantino: Interviews), this incredible sequel really managed to live up to its predecessor. Although it seemed Tien had already achieved greatness in the first filmhis fights here showed that a martial arts student always has more to learn.
7
The 7 Grand Masters (1977)
Directed by Joseph Kuo
The 7 Great Masters tells the story of Sang Kuan Chun (Jack Long), an old kung fu master who is about to retire; However, before giving up for good, he embarks on an epic journey to defeat the seven great masters and prove once and for all that he is the kung fu world champion. This unique take on the student versus master premise was a clever inversion of the normally young student’s approach to the wise old master. In The 7 Great MastersInstead of an ambitious young fighter rising through the ranks, it’s an older master who wants to show one last time that he still has it.
As an example of pure and cheesy 1970s kung fu cinema, The 7 Great Masters it had a campy premise and just ran with it. Although the plot may have been very thin, The 7 Great Masters it more than made up for it with some epic fight sequences and a great mix of action and comedy. Like a dark classic with some stunning visuals, hilariously dated sound effects, and a classic underdog story, The 7 Great Masters It’s a hidden gem waiting to be discovered.
6
Fist of Legend (2013)
Directed by Kang Woo-suk
Fist of Legend is a South Korean action film that offers a unique take on the classic trope of a student defeating his master while a former would-be Olympian participates in a mixed martial arts reality television competition. Im Deok-kyu (Hwang Jung-min) was in need of extra money and participated in a competition where former martial arts legends from their high school days come back and fight for a chance to win â‚©200 million.
As Deok-kyu encounters not only martial arts masters but also his old friends and rivals, Fist of Legend is a tense and suspenseful martial arts film with a lot of emotion. With a story filled with real characters that audiences can connect with, it was fun to see former martial arts student Deok-kyu do everything in his power to overcome the master fighters. This enjoyable release showcased the South Korean film industry’s ability to keep up with its Hong Kong counterparts.
5
Fearless (2006)
Directed by Ronny Yu
Fearless was one of Jet Li’s greatest films, as it told the story of Huo Yuanjia, a skilled martial artist who challenged foreign fighters and restored pride and nationalism in China. However, Fearless took audiences through the full story of Huo’s journey to greatness as he watched his father’s defeat as a child and vowed to train and restore his family’s honor. Although Huo’s mother warned him that martial arts are for self-improvement and helping others rather than personal glory, he still carried out these desires.
Although Huo has been seen defeating many enemies throughout Fearlessit was Master Qin Lei who proved his exceptional abilities, and Huo finally rose from student to master. However, Huo actually kills Qin in battle, which has side effects as his godson seeks revenge. Like an epic martial arts tale that brought together many of the main principles of wuxia kung fu filmsHuo’s victory over the martial arts masters was just one dimension of the triumph that was Fearless.
4
Kill Bill Vol. 2 (2004)
Directed by Quentin Tarantino
Quentin Tarantino paid homage to his love of kung fu cinema with his own homage to the genre with back-to-back releases from Kill Bill Vol. 1 and Vol. 2. This epic story starred Uma Thurman as the bridea woman on an epic quest for revenge against Bill, the leader of the Deadly Viper Assassination Squad, who tried to kill her and her unborn child. This unique look at the relationship between student and master showed how the need for revenge spurred the Bride to defeat the martial arts master she once loved.
The Bride was seen defeating several members of the Deadly Viper Assassin Squad and other enemies such as the Yakuza gang, The Crazy 88’s, including characters played by kung fu greats like Gordon Liu. However, the Bride’s greatest enemy is Bill, with whom she comes face to face. Vol. 2 conclusion. This highly stylized approach to the student versus master dynamic showed the potential of kung fu cinema aimed at American audiences.
3
Drunk Master (1978)
Directed by Yuen Woo-ping
Drunk Master signaled the great success of kung fu icon Jackie Chan when he, like so many martial artists before him, starred in a story about a student defeating his master. Telling a fictionalized version of the stories of Wong Fei-hung and Beggar So, Chan played Wong, the young man who practices under the guidance of his drunken master So. Although Wong was initially hesitant about So’s wisdom, he soon took up his drunken fighting style to become a skilled martial artist in his own right.
This hilarious kung fu film mixed action and comedy and laid the foundation for Chan’s unique comedic style, which mixed stunts with slapstick humor. As Wong continued to train and improve, he soon mastered the Drunken Boxing style called “The Eight Drunken Immortals” and even defeated the notorious assassin Yim Tit-sam. Like a true kung fu classic, Chan returned as Wong for the sequel, Drunk Master II, in 1994.
2
Five Deadly Poisons (1978)
Directed by Chang Cheh
Five deadly poisons starred Chiang Sheng as Yang Tieha martial arts student, on a mission to fulfill his dying master’s wish to locate and defeat the master’s previous students. This fascinating take on the classic student trope versus the master trope saw Yang involved in a conspiracy where his previous master’s students turned evil after acquiring his masterful martial arts skill. With all five former students turned masters involved in a series of murders, it was up to Yang to finally bring them to justice and restore order.
Each of the five students was represented by one of the Five Poisonous Creatures from Chinese folklore, which saw Yang facing fighters whose style incorporated that of a scorpion, lizard, frog, snake and centipede. With each fighter having a new specialty, Yang’s challenge involved mastering each style and coming out on top. As a true test of skill, Five deadly poisons told the classic story of a student turned master, caught up in a gripping story influenced by Chinese mythology.
1
The 36th Chamber of Shaolin (1978)
Directed by Lau Kar-leung
The definitive film where a martial arts student defeats his master may also be the best kung fu film of all time, The 36th Chamber of Shaolin. This is the classic story of a young Shaolin disciple, San Te (Gordon Liu), training under General Tien Ta (Lieh Lo) to fight a local rebellion against the oppressive Manchu government. However, to achieve this, San Te had to walk through the chambers of the iconic Shaolin Temple.
From learning lightness and balance in the first chamber to the enlightenment and wisdom that emerged in the 35th, San Te progressed faster than any monk before him. Despite demonstrating extraordinary skills in martial arts, the monastery’s Disciplinary Chief deemed him unsuitable for the role of assistant superintendent and challenged him. Although it took several exhibition matches before San Te emerged victorious, the skilled fighter proved that eventually the student must become the master.
Sources: Time, Quentin Tarantino: Interviews