Dragons of the Orient (1988)

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For martial arts enthusiasts and fans of Jet Li, Yang Ching, and Wang Chun, this historical filmography about the origins of Chinese martial arts, the legendary Shaolin Monastery, and modern kung fu will prove to be an irresistible treat. The documentary is told through two fictional characters,… More For martial arts enthusiasts and fans of Jet Li, Yang Ching, and Wang Chun, this historical filmography about the origins of Chinese martial arts, the legendary Shaolin Monastery, and modern kung fu will prove to be an irresistible treat. The documentary is told through two fictional characters, Instructor Wang and Hong Kong sports reporter Ms. Chin Chin, who chance to meet in a park. Ms. Chin Chin is writing a story about the history of martial arts and so Instructor Wang offers to help. Together they visit the Shaolin Monastery and view a weapons demonstration by the monks. Unfortunately, in the translation the different styles are not explained thoroughly, but the scenery is spectacular and so is the history of the monastery. The next stop on the educational journey is the village Tung Yang, where all 2,000 residents practice kung fu every day. Here Instructor Wang and Ms. Chin Chin learn about the hard work required to be a kung fu master. They visit several other martial arts schools and at each school they watch more demonstrations. The fighting styles are fluid and graceful, much like ballet. Unfortunately, the dubbing is poorly translated. This proves to be frustrating, as the correct names for the various fighting techniques observed are not accurately described. However, this documentary is worth seeing, as the viewer can watch all the different styles of kung fu and learn a general history of martial arts in China. Also, Jet Li fans will be happy to discover how their favorite kung fu star learned his art. --Samantha Allen-Storey

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