Jing wu ying xiong (Fist of Legend) (1994)

100% of critics liked it
(11 reviews)
88% of users liked it
(30,307 ratings)

Jet Li stars in this historical Hong Kong action film, as Chen Zhen, a Chinese student in Japan in the 1920s. When his master is killed during the Japanese occupation of China, he returns to avenge his teacher's death. Back in China, he finds himself caught in the escalating racial tensions between… More Jet Li stars in this historical Hong Kong action film, as Chen Zhen, a Chinese student in Japan in the 1920s. When his master is killed during the Japanese occupation of China, he returns to avenge his teacher's death. Back in China, he finds himself caught in the escalating racial tensions between the Chinese and the Japanese. The martial arts sequences in this 1994 film are handled more seriously than flashy acrobatics of other kung fu epics of the time and are perhaps a better showcase for Li's awe-inspiring fighting abilities. This story is inspired heavily by Bruce Lee's classic Fists of Fury. ~ Jonathan E. Laxamana, Rovi

Play Trailer

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 43 min.
Directed By: Gordon Chan
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, Art House & International

In Theaters: Sep 1, 2008 Wide
On DVD: Sep 9, 2008
Studio: Dimension Films

Critic Reviews

Michael Dequina, TheMovieReport.com
All of the intricately choreographed fighting is real, proving the doubters of Li's fighting skills very wrong.
Oz, Hollywood Bitchslap
If you can watch the opening fifteen minutes without wincing, you're made of stern stuff. One of Li's most brutal works.
James Rocchi, Netflix
Jet Li remakes Bruce Lee, and the result is great.
Oz, eFilmCritic.com
If you don't feel the bones breaking, you're not watching closely enough.
Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com
A high-flying, hidden-wire kick-and-punch-fest, set against a historical, epic backdrop.
Robert Roten, Laramie Movie Scope
The strong point of this film is the cinematography of Derek Wan. The images are imbued with the rich, vibrant color which has become a hallmark of modern Chinese films.
Ryan Cracknell, Apollo Guide
A marvel to watch.
Joey O'Bryan, Austin Chronicle
Although this is disappointing, there are more than enough good scenes (both action and otherwise) to keep this enterprise afloat and entertaining.
Jeff Vice, Deseret News, Salt Lake City
If you're going remake a film, it should be better than (or at least different from) the original. And surprisingly, Fist of Legend manages to do just that.

Read all 9 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Albert K

Man, this is by far, the best Jet Li movie I've seen. Choreography is raw with very real but dazzling moves. Don't miss out on this if you're a martial arts fan.
danny d

a loose remake of bruce lee's fist of fury and a homage to some of his other films, fist of legend exceeds some of those films through superior choreography and a more painfully relevant undertone to the story line. the musical score was a weak spot and there were elements of… More
a loose remake of bruce lee's fist of fury and a homage to some of his other films, fist of legend exceeds some of those films through superior choreography and a more painfully relevant undertone to the story line. the musical score was a weak spot and there were elements of the bruce lee version that drew out the passion of the fighting with a bit more vigor, but this version is probably better overall as its best quality is its extreme re-watchability.
Lanning :

Wow, just watched this for the fourth time, and I'm about to watch it one more time before I send it back to netflix. One of the best pure martial arts films I'be ever watched. It's Jet Li in his prime with very little wire work and the other FX BS that can sometimes… More
Wow, just watched this for the fourth time, and I'm about to watch it one more time before I send it back to netflix. One of the best pure martial arts films I'be ever watched. It's Jet Li in his prime with very little wire work and the other FX BS that can sometimes screw up a film in the martial arts genre. Sadly none of his qi gong style -- although when he learns the Hua Fist method from Siu-ho Chin, that looks closer -- but awesome REAL kung fu nonetheless. I've posted some screen shots for flixsters. Jet Li is the man!
Cassandra M

This is one of my favourite kung fu films of all time. Woo Ping + Jet Li = quality and this is his best. The fight scenes are superb. I didn't think Iron monkey could be beaten until I watched this. The end fight is my favourite fight of all time and I've seen a few! I… More
This is one of my favourite kung fu films of all time. Woo Ping + Jet Li = quality and this is his best. The fight scenes are superb. I didn't think Iron monkey could be beaten until I watched this. The end fight is my favourite fight of all time and I've seen a few! I can't recommend this film enough. The film is a remake of the Bruce Lee film Fist of Fury which is a classic itself. This takes it to a new level though. There is a bit of poor acting in parts as you would expect in a 90's kung fu flic but the action more than makes up for it. The music also stays with you and builds the fights up really well. If your a kung fu fan and haven't seen this film I suggest you get hold of it.
El Hombre I

Fist of Legend is a loose remake of one of Bruce Lee's most popular Chinese films, Fist of Fury (a.k.a. The Chinese Connection). The plot is basically the same, but some details differ greatly. Fist of Fury had a simple moral: The Japanese are bad. Set during a time when the… More
Fist of Legend is a loose remake of one of Bruce Lee's most popular Chinese films, Fist of Fury (a.k.a. The Chinese Connection). The plot is basically the same, but some details differ greatly. Fist of Fury had a simple moral: The Japanese are bad. Set during a time when the Chinese were second class citizens in their own country, Bruce Lee's acts of defiance against the Japanese authorities were big crowd pleasers. Jet Li's version of the story is a different take on the material. The only evil Japanese character in the whole film is Fujita, and Chen Zhen is a victim of discrimination, not from the Japanese, but from the Chinese of Shanghai because he has a Japanese girlfriend. Murder, intrigue, deception and most importantly, some of my most favorite fight sequences in all of the kung-fu movies I've seen. Each fight in the film gets better and better. <a href="http://s273.photobucket.com/albums/jj203/goji9000/?action=view&current=JL-2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj203/goji9000/JL-2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
Tsubaki S

A remake done in the right way, watch and learn Hollywood.
Dean M

It's alike Bruce Lee's <i>Fist of Fury</i> but more amazing martial arts.
Aliyanto L

The best Jet Lee's action choreography!
Justin Y

Considered to be one of Jet Li's best movies. It isn't my favorite but it is very good. The story is interesting and the many action scenes are choreographed well. Where else can you see a blindfolded Jet Li fight sequence? This is a must see for any Jet Li fan.
Khris N

name of movie sez it all.
Steven V

Awesome. A very good remake of Bruce Lee's Fist of Fury. Great martial arts sequences and stunts. The main storyline and theme are still the same, and it was explain even clearer than Fists of Fury.
Lesley N

Jet Li returns to China to help out his old academy, now threatened by a Japanese army plot. The script is 1970's cheesy ( English judge.. ""I find these proceedings ridiculous... and anyway I have to go play a cricket game. Case dismissed" ) but the martial arts… More
Jet Li returns to China to help out his old academy, now threatened by a Japanese army plot. The script is 1970's cheesy ( English judge.. ""I find these proceedings ridiculous... and anyway I have to go play a cricket game. Case dismissed" ) but the martial arts are exemplory, and this from someone who couldn't give a flying fist for most of your average martial arts rumbles. <img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3265/2903718402_8ca6e858bc.jpg?v=0">
Chosen 7

One Of The Best Martial Arts Films Of All Time!!
Kevin M

A few impressive scenes, including Li's one-armed 'pull-ups' during training. Obviously fake end-scene, but worth watching.