Legend Of A Fighter & Fearless: Two Stories About Sifu Huo Yuanjia 霍元甲

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Legend of a Fighter ( 霍元甲 ) is a 1982 Hong Kong martial arts film directed by Yuen Woo-ping , and produced by Ng See-yuen , who also wrote the screenplay with Leung Lap-yan and Wong Jing . The film starred Bryan Leung , Yasuaki Kurata , Yuen Yat-choh, Philip Ko , Yuen Cheung-yan , Brandy Yuen, and Steve Lee. The film is loosely based on the life of the Chinese martial artist Huo Yuanjia . Synopsis Huo Yuanjia was born susceptible to illness, suffering from asthma and jaundice as a child. His father, Huo Endi , discouraged him from following in their family's tradition of practising martial arts, and hired a Japanese tutor, Yamaguchi Ejūrō, to teach him scholarly arts and moral values. Unknown to his father, Huo Yuanjia secretly learns mizongyi , the Huo family's style of martial arts. After growing up, Huo Yuanjia becomes an accomplished martial artist and defeats a Japanese fighter, Sanaka, in a match. Sanaka commits suicide following his defeat, prompting the Japanese to send another top fighter to China to challenge Huo Yuanjia. The top fighter turns out to be Yamaguchi, who had secretly learned mizongyi during his time with the Huo family. Huo Yuanjia confronts and defeats Yamaguchi. Cast Bryan Leung as Huo Yuanjia Yasuaki Kurata as Yamaguchi Ejūrō Philip Ko as Huo Endi Yuen Cheung-yan as a pipe smoker Yuen Siu-tien as Bucktooth Steve Lee as Sanaka Lau Hok-nin as Huo's assistant Charlie Chan as an Eagle Claw school representative Fong Yau as Sanaka's father Huang Ha as a master defeated by Sanaka Fung Fung as a boxing promoter Fung Hak-on as Bow Tie San Kuai as Shantung Yellow Tiger Lee Fat-yuen as a Japanese swordsman Fearless , also known as Huo Yuanjia ( 霍元甲 ) in Chinese, as Spirit in Japan and as Jet Li's Fearless in the United Kingdom and the United States, is a 2006 martial arts film directed by Ronny Yu , starring Jet Li . A Hong Kong-Chinese co-production, it is loosely based on the life of Huo Yuanjia , a Chinese martial artist who challenged foreign fighters in highly publicized events, restoring pride and nationalism to China at a time when Western, Russian and Japanese imperialism were eroding the country in the final years of the Qing dynasty before the birth of the Republic of China . Li stated that the film was his last wushu martial arts film, a point also made in the film's television promotions and other publicity, although he would do action films with martial arts in them and did not rule out historical epics with martial arts. [ 4 ] [ 5 ] [ 6 ] Fearless was released on 26 January 2006 in Hong Kong , on 23 June 2006 in the United Kingdom, and on 22 September 2006 in the United States. [ 7 ] The film received generally positive reviews from critics. At the 13th Hong Kong Film Critics Society Awards , it won the Film of Merit. Synopsis In 1910, Chinese martial artist Huo Yuanjia defeats three foreign challengers at an international tournament in Shanghai . As he awaits a fourth match, he reflects on his life. As a child, Huo secretly learns martial arts despite his father 's objections due to his asthma . After witnessing his father lose honorably and suffering humiliation himself, Huo vows to restore the Huo family's name. As an adult, following his father's death, he becomes a prominent lei tai fighter in Tianjin , earning fame but also growing arrogant and reckless. He squanders his wealth, alienates his friend Nong Jinsun, and kills a rival martial artist, Qin Lei, in a fight. Qin's godson retaliates by murdering Huo's mother and daughter. Devastated and guilt-ridden, Huo leaves Tianjin. After wandering for months, Huo is taken in by Granny Sun and her blind granddaughter, Yueci. Living simply as a farmer, he recovers physically and spiritually, learning humility and compassion. In 1907, Huo returns to Tianjin, now heavily influenced by foreign powers. He burns his trophies, seeks forgiveness from those he had wronged, and reconciles with Nong. When an Irish wrestler, Hercules O’Brien, humiliates Chinese fighters, Huo challenges and defeats him honorably, restoring national pride. He then helps found the Jingwu School in Shanghai, promoting martial arts as moral self-cultivation. Alarmed foreign businessmen arrange a final challenge against four fighters. One of them, a Japanese martial artist called Tanaka Anno, befriends and respects Huo. The story returns to the tournament, where Tanaka is revealed as Huo's fourth opponent. After a first round with weapons that ends in a draw, Huo is secretly poisoned before their unarmed match. Despite failing health, Huo continues fighting and defeats Tanaka while deliberately sparing his life. Huo collapses and dies, and Tanaka declares him the rightful victor. In the epilogue, Yueci envisions Huo's spirit practicing martial arts peacefully. Cast Jet Li as Huo Yuanjia , a Chinese martial artist who founded Jingwu School . Dong Yong as Nong Jinsun, a businessman and childhood friend of Huo Yuanjia. Collin Chou as Huo Endi , Huo Yuanjia's fathe