Countless incredible martial arts movies have heroes based on real historical figures. Since the stories of notable martial artists were inextricably linked to real history, long-standing myths, and iconic folk legends, it’s no surprise that many real-life people find their way into action-packed martial arts films. A notable example was Donnie Yen’s portrayal of Yip Man in Ip Man franchise, but there have been several more acclaimed examples of this throughout martial arts cinema.
Some of the greatest martial arts films ever made have used real people as the basis for their stories. The kung fu film classics of the 1970s took the iconic stories of the Shaolin monks and blessed audiences with incredible, often heavily altered, depictions of real stories. That historical context can add extra depth to martial filmsas the social and political circumstances of the eras they represent become even more resonant through the use of real people with fascinating legacies.
10
Frank Dux
Bloodsport (1989)
Newt Arnold martial arts film Blood sport it seemed like pure fiction, although viewers might be shocked to learn that Frank Dux, the wrestler played by Jean Claude Van Damme, was a real person. Blood sport told the story of Dux, a United States Army captain and ninjutsu practitioner, participating in an illegal full-contact martial arts tournament called Kumite in Hong Kong. With intense fight sequences that took bloody battles to the extreme, the fact that Blood sport claimed to have its origins in truth made everything even more shocking.
The story goes like this Blood sport co-writer Sheldon Lettich knew the real Dux and had heard many of his outrageous stories, many of which he says later proved to be false (via Asian film pulse.) However, these stories sparked Lettich’s imagination enough to write the film’s script. Blood sport it became a box office success, kick-started Van Damme’s career, and maintained a cult following. THE Blood sport the series continued with sequels focusing on other fictional characters, and the real Frank Dux even told his version of his life story in the 1996 memoir The secret man.
9
Zhang Sanfeng
Tai Chi Master (1993)
Jet Li portrayed the real man Zhang Sanfeng in Tai Chi Mastera legendary Chinese Taoist who is believed to have invented tai chi. Zhang’s life has become intrinsically linked to myth, for although he was believed to have existed, he is also said to have achieved immortality (via Pure perception) in his quest for martial arts and spiritual greatness. Tai Chi Master explored Zhang’s life growing up in a Shaolin Temple and participation in an ongoing conflict with the government.
While Tai Chi Master probably fictionalized much of Zhang’s story, it was the exciting combination of Jet Li and Michelle Yeoh on screen that made this portrayal truly worthwhile. With a mix of martial arts and comedy, Tai Chi Master showcased its protagonist’s legacy while creating an intensely entertaining Wuxia film. Like a mythical figure with infinite potential for representation, Tai Chi Master it was just a version of Zhang Sanfeng’s legendary life.
8
San Te
The 36th Chamber of Shaolin (1978)
The 36th Chamber of Shaolin was a defining film from Shaw Brothers Productions which starred Gordon Liu as a highly fictionalized version of the real San Te monk. Liu’s acclaimed performance showcased this legendary Shaolin martial arts disciple who trained under General Chi Shan. As one of the most acclaimed kung fu films of all time, The 36th Chamber of Shaolin was the beginning of a trilogy that continued to tell stories based on the Shaolin temple in Return to the 36th Chamber and Disciples of the 36th Chamber.
San Te lived in the early 18th century, and although his true story remains mysterious, his martial arts skills were impactful enough for him to remain an important figure in Shaolin history. While The 36th Chamber of Shaolin was the most famous depiction in the history of San Te, he also appeared in countless other kung fu films. Another memorable appearance by San Te was in Sammo Hung’s directorial debut The Monk with the Iron Fist.
7
Zhao Zi Long
Three Kingdoms: Resurrection of the Dragon (2008)
Zhao Zilong was a military general during the late Eastern Han Dynasty and early Three Kingdoms period of China who was involved in major battles during the 220s AD. As a prominent figure in Chinese and Japanese popular culture, Zhao has been portrayed in many films, most notably by Andy Lau in Three Kingdoms: Dragon Resurrection. This version of Zhao’s story was partly based on the 14th-century Chinese classic novel and united the historical records, general insights, and legendary status of his life.
Lau captured the essence of General Zhao with its portrayal of the impact of the Northern Expeditions. However, the true historical record of Zhao Zilong, also known as Zhao Yun, remains unclear. Much of his legacy has been influenced by the vast array of art, literature, and fictional retellings that have been shared over the past few centuries.
6
Bruce Lee
Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story (1993)
While it’s virtually certain that any lover of martial arts films will be well aware that Bruce Lee was a real person, since his death in 1973 his legacy has grown so much that he is a martial arts film hero in his own right. From biographical portraits in films like Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story even appear in Quentin Tarantino’s film Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Lee became a true film legend, whose iconic personality will live on in martial arts cinema for generations to come..
While Lee’s films like The Big Boss, Fist of Furyand Enter the dragon are undisputed classics, actors have also portrayed Lee in modern films such as Ip Man series and Chinese TV show The legend of Bruce Lee. With an impact that far exceeded his five leading roles in Hong Kong martial arts feature films, it is surprising that Lee’s legacy today has become so enshrined in the myth that he is as notable as any other historical figure or monk. Shaolin in martial arts cinema.
5
Wong Kei-ying
Iron Monkey (1993)
Although the story of Chinese folk hero Wong Kei-Ying has often been overshadowed by the looming legacy of his much more frequently portrayed son Wong Fei-hung, there have been occasional films that focus primarily on the elder Wong. An excellent example of this was Iron Monkeystarring Donnie Yen, which told a fictional story of a father and son’s encounter with the masked martial artist known as Iron Monkey. This unique take on well-known historical characters made for thrilling viewing and even achieved wide release in the United States, a rare feat for a Hong Kong martial arts film.
The real Wong Kei-ying was an important Hung Ga martial arts practitioner and helped open the doors to his son’s amazing legacy. With representations in many films, such as Shaw Brothers Challenge of the Masters and in the Jackie Chan film Drunk Masterthe importance of the father’s influence on his son has not been underestimated in Hong Kong cinema.
4
Huo Yuanjia
Fearless (2006)
Huo Yuanjia was a member of the Chin Woo Athletic Association martial arts school in Shanghai and a heroic figure in the fight for Chinese sovereignty during the early 20th century. As a representation of the dignity of the Chinese people in the face of foreign aggression, it is no surprise that Huo’s story has been featured several times in various film and television productions. While Huo served as a mentor to Bruce Lee’s character in Fist of Furyhe was also the protagonist of many other productions.
The most famous version of Huo’s life story was in Fearlessthe kung fu hit starring Jet Li. This story of Chinese pride and nationalism saw Huo defend the Chinese people as their culture was attacked by Western imperialists and recounted the final years of the Qing dynasty before the birth of the Republic of China. As a defining figure in modern Chinese history, Li’s portrayal of Huo was both acclaimed and criticized when Yuanji’s descendants took legal action against the film (via Variety) for perceived historical inaccuracies.
3
Ma Yongzhen
Shantung Boxer (1972)
Shantung boxer was a martial arts film about Ma Yongzhen, a Hui Chinese martial artist who lived during the late Qing dynasty. Taking the real-life circumstances of this well-known fighter, Shantung boxer was able to represent the challenges of ordinary people as Ma Yongzhen sought his fortune in Shanghai and quickly became embroiled in a world of corruption and gang warfare. With many adversaries at hand, Ma Yongzhen was forced to use his fighting skills to protect himself from this cruel new existence.
As a successful combination of kung fu gangster genres, this depiction of Ma Yongzhen’s story showed how the stories of real people could be used to tell an epic rags-to-riches story set in the early 20th century. In many ways, Shantung boxer it was like an eastern equivalent of Scaras his character’s ambitious goals quickly deteriorated as crime and corruption took hold. Like a Shaw Brothers classic, Shantung boxer it was the most powerful representation of Ma Yongzhen’s story ever told.
2
Wong Fei-hung
Drunk Master (1978)
Wong Fei-hung was a Chinese martial artist and folk hero whose life story became the stuff of Chinese legend and whose legacy served as the basis for countless films. Actors who played Wong include Gordon Liu, Jackie Chan, Kwan Tak-hing, Jet Li, Vincent Zhao and Sammo Hung. Chan’s breakout role in Drunk Master 1978 was famously based on the legend of Wong Fei-hungas his experience in Hung Ga martial arts was combined with Chan’s unique style of slapstick comedy in martial arts filmmaking.
More than 100 films and television series featuring Wong have been produced, such as Challenge of the Masters with Gordon Liu and Last hero in China starring Jet Li. Hong Kong actor Kwan Tak-hing starred as Wong in more than 70 films and became so associated with the real man that he earned the nickname Master Wong. As a truly legendary figure, the Wong Fei-hung Memorial Hall was built in Foshan in 2000 to honor his legacy.
1
Yip Man
The Ip Man (2008)
Donnie Yen’s depiction of Wing Chun grandmaster Ip Man, also known as Yip Man, throughout the Ip Man the franchise turned the character into a modern legend of martial arts cinema. However, Ip Man was also a real person who trained in the art of Wing Chun from a young age and, after becoming a master, accepted students, the most famous of whom was none other than Bruce Lee. Ip Man’s real-life struggles during the Second Sino-Japanese War were explored in the first film, while later entries fleshed out his life teaching Hong Kong and personal challenges.
While the epic villain fights seen throughout the Ip Man franchise may have taken some liberties with the truth, apparently, the real Ip was a master of martial artsas seen by the timeless cinematic skill of its most famous student. Yip has also been portrayed in other films such as Bruce Lee: The Man, The Mythor Wong Kar-wai The Grand Masterstarring Tony Leung. Although the yen was most commonly associated with the Ip game, its legacy was much more far-reaching than just the Ip Man franchise.
Sources: Asian film pulse, Pure perception, Variety