See buying choices for this item to see if it's one of the millions that are eligible for Amazon Prime.

5 used & new from £1.63
See All Buying Options
Have one to sell? Sell yours here
 
   
Legend Of A Fighter [VHS] [1982]
 
See larger image 
Share your own customer images

Legend Of A Fighter [VHS] [1982]

VHS ~ Yao Lin Chen
4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)

Available from these sellers.


2 new from £2.50 3 used from £1.63

Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought

Iron Fisted Monk [DVD] [1977] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]

Iron Fisted Monk [DVD] [1977] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]

DVD ~ Sammo Hung
4.3 out of 5 stars (3) 
Avenging Fist [DVD] [2001]

Avenging Fist [DVD] [2001]

DVD ~ Lee-Hom Wang
2.5 out of 5 stars (2) 
The Big Boss - 2 Disc Platinum Edition [DVD] [1971]

The Big Boss - 2 Disc Platinum Edition [DVD] [1971]

DVD ~ Bruce Lee
4.2 out of 5 stars (4)  £3.98
The Magnificent Butcher [DVD] [1979]

The Magnificent Butcher [DVD] [1979]

DVD ~ Sammo Hung
4.5 out of 5 stars (6) 
Knockabout [DVD]

Knockabout [DVD]

DVD ~ Yuen Biao
5.0 out of 5 stars (1) 
› Explore similar items

Product details

  • Actors: Yao Lin Chen, Feng Feng, Yau Fong, Hark-On Fung, Ha Huang
  • Directors: Woo-ping Yuen
  • Writers: See-Yuen Ng, Jing Wong, Lap-Yan Leung
  • Producers: See-Yuen Ng
  • Format: PAL, Subtitled, Widescreen
  • Language English
  • Classification: 15
  • Studio: E1 Entertainment
  • VHS Release Date: 5 Mar 2001
  • Run Time: 91 minutes
  • Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
  • ASIN: B00004SPGL
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 21,047 in Video (See Bestsellers in Video)

    •  Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?

Product Description

Amazon.co.uk Review
In the historically based Kung fu drama Legend of a Fighter director Yuen Woo Ping offers his version of the early life of martial artist Fok Yuen Gap (played by Leung Kar Yan). Set at the beginning of the 20th century, Fok is considered too weak to learn the family Kung fu style. Still, as his father can break eggs by growling, he probably considers most people weak. The teenager forms a bond with his humane Japanese tutor (Kurata Yusuaki), who secretly teaches martial arts. The story builds to a moving climax as 12 years later pupil and now ageing master are forced by honour into a deadly duel. The opening and closing acts are by far the strongest, the plentiful fight scenes being balanced by gentle humour and emotions torn between friendship and duty. Both lead actors are excellent, with Yusuaki being particularly fine as the noble warrior-teacher. The middle, a series of disconnected tableaux in which Fok establishes his stature as a Kung fu expert, goes on much too long to sustain interest. Nevertheless the story of Fok Yuen Gap, a genuine Chinese hero who was also the inspiration for Bruce Lee's Fist of Fury (1972), is fine and Woo Ping delivers the one-on-one Kung fu action with the touch of a master.

On the DVD: The 1.77:1 image doesn't benefit at all from its anamorphic enhancement, the entire film being presented slightly out of focus so that by the end eyes are likely to be aching. The opening 4:3 Academy ratio archive footage has been distorted to 1.77:1, while the original trailer shows Legend of a Fighter was shot in an extremely wide format--possibly the Hong Kong equivalent of early 2.66:1 CinemaScope, or even 2.74:1 Techniscope--which means that large amounts of the original image are missing. This is very obvious as characters constantly vanish off the sides of the screen or are cropped in half. Additionally, and again compared to the crisp, sharp trailer, colours are washed out, while the mono sound distorts whenever the music gets loud. The film is available in Mandarin with optional English subtitles, or in an awful English dub littered with inappropriate obscene language. There is a nine-minute interview with Leung Kar Yan, and a 23-minute interview with Yuen Woo Ping, which is a slightly longer version of the conversation presented on the Magnificent Butcher DVD: it's notable how he expresses his love of science fiction and indicates he would like to make a SF Kung-fu movie, something he achieved with The Matrix (1999). There is a Hong Kong Legends' promo for the film, together with seven further new trailers. The photo gallery is pointless, simply cropping some shots even further than the main presentation. --Gary S Dalkin

Synopsis
Fast-action martials arts film based around the life of one of China's most formidable fighters, Huo Yuan Chia.

Tag this product

 (What's this?)
Think of a tag as a keyword or label you consider is strongly related to this product.
Tags will help all customers organize and find favorite items.
Your tags: Add your first tag
 
See most popular tags

What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

Legend Of A Fighter [VHS] [1982]
50% buy the item featured on this page:
Legend Of A Fighter [VHS] [1982] 4.4 out of 5 stars (9)
Police Assassins [DVD] [1985]
15% buy
Police Assassins [DVD] [1985] 3.8 out of 5 stars (4)
£4.98
Hand Of Death (DVD) [1975]
13% buy
Hand Of Death (DVD) [1975] 4.0 out of 5 stars (2)
Police Story 2 [DVD] [1989]
11% buy
Police Story 2 [DVD] [1989] 4.2 out of 5 stars (6)
£19.59
Explore similar items
 

Customer Reviews

9 Reviews
5 star:
 (7)
4 star:    (0)
3 star:
 (1)
2 star:
 (1)
1 star:    (0)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.4 out of 5 stars (9 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Yuen Woo Ping revives a legend, 11 Jul 2002
By Ian Shelton "ironfistedmonk" (Wolves, UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
This review is from: Legend Of A Fighter [DVD] [1982] (DVD)
After reading the reviews on this film I just had to submit my own as they do not do this film justice at all!

Leung Kar Yan stars as Fok Yun Gap (Bruce Lee`s master in Fist of Fury) and portrays one variation of his life story. Set in turn of the 20th Century China it begins with a young Fok Yun Gap as a weak youngster whose father (played by Hong Kong screen legend Philip Kao) refuses to teach him the family fighting style. Instead he learns from Kurata Yusuaki who poses as a teacher in order to learn the families fighting style. After many years of training Fok Yun Gap becomes Chinas premier martial artist, beating all challengers. After one of his foes, a Japanese Karate expert, kills himself in shame at his defeat the Japanese send their top fighter to challenge Fok to a duel to the death. In a tragic twist the Japanese master turns out to be Foks old teacher and the 2 go at it with only one surviving the victor.

Woo Ping directs one of his best pictures, blending a good storyline and fine action to produce a very watchable film. Leung Kar Yan turns in his finest performance, without his usual style of overacting and performs the many fight sequences with great finesse considering he has never studued any martial arts. With all the wire work ruining the modern Hong Kong actioners its great to see the old school flicks showing how it should be done.

Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)



 
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Lost kung-fu classic, 11 Oct 2001
By A Customer
This is one of the best kung-fu films, period. It concentrates on the same story as Bruce Lee's 'Fist of Fury' and Jet Lee's 'Fist of Legend', and is just as, if not more, intense than these versions of the story. Pure action all the way through with plenty of different styles, this is a lost classic. The actors, although not well known, do their job well, and the fight direction sharper than the Rza. The smell of betrayal and honour give the film a sinister edge which holds until the final, wicked fight scene.
Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)



 
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Classic kung fu, 17 Nov 2004
By A Customer
This review is from: Legend Of A Fighter [DVD] [1982] (DVD)
A really excellent movie. Good characters, excellent action and a decent storyline. I've been stocking up on kung fu movies lately and in my opinions this is one of the better ones.
Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)


Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
 
 
 
Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Since When Does Calligraphy Sound Like Kung Fu?
Since the first time I enjoyed this movie. And since 2008 was an Olympic year, many things "China", have received much more of my attention. Its recent history is one of them. Read more
Published 6 months ago by M_

2.0 out of 5 stars It is OK
I genuinely don't see the hype here - this is a pretty average Kung Fu movie. I bought this after reading rave-reviews online and feel a bit cheated. Read more
Published on 6 Aug 2006 by Tobias

5.0 out of 5 stars If you love your kung fu films old skool, look no further!!!
I have to admit this has got to be one of the best kung fu films I've seen in a long time. I've always been into kung fu films since I was a kid and had seen at least a dozen... Read more
Published on 25 Jul 2006 by B. Mustafa

5.0 out of 5 stars Best kung fu movie ever.
I bought this and it said woo-ping interview, dual language, lost footage, etc.

Well folks, it had none of that. I got a chapter selection and a play option. Read more

Published on 13 Mar 2006 by morgoth

3.0 out of 5 stars not bad at all
this i truly a kung fu classic the picture and sound is not as good as usual hong kong legedns releases but its not bad. Read more
Published on 8 Jan 2002

5.0 out of 5 stars An action packed classic chinese tale
This film provides you with ninety minutes of classic chinese Kung fu and Japanese styles in action and a story based around a timeless Chinese legend. Read more
Published on 11 Mar 2001

Only search this product's reviews


Customer Discussions

 Beta (What's this?)
This product's forum (0 discussions)
  Discussion Replies Latest Post
  No discussions yet

Ask questions, Share opinions, Gain insight
Start a new discussion
Topic:
First post:
Prompts for sign-in
  [Cancel]


Active discussions in related forums
   
Related forums

Listmania!

Create a Listmania! list

Look for similar items by category

Feedback

Health & Beauty at Amazon.co.uk

Elemis Resurface and Renew Skin Care Gift Set of 4 Products
From soap to shavers, massagers to mascara, stock up on your daily essentials or truly pamper yourself.

›Discover Health & Beauty

  

Beauty without the Beast

Olay Regenerist Daily 3 Point Treatment Cream
From au naturel to party glam, we have all the best names in cosmetics and skincare.

›Discover Beauty at Amazon.co.uk

  

Boys Smell

Lynx Africa Body Spray and After Shave Gift set
But we make sure they smell good...

›Discover male grooming at Amazon.co.uk

  

Treat Someone

Amazon.co.uk Gift Certificates--available in any amount from £5 to £500 With an Amazon.co.uk Gift Certificate, you can get them what they want (even if you don't know what that is).

›Learn more about Gift Certificates

  
Ad

Where's My Stuff?

Delivery and Returns

Need Help?

Your Recent History

  (What's this?)
You have no recently viewed items or searches.

After viewing product detail pages or search results, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in.

Look to the right column to find helpful suggestions for your shopping session.
Continue Shopping: Top Sellers

amazon.co.uk Amazon Home
International Sites:  United States  |  Germany  |  France  |  Japan  |  Canada  |  China
Business Programs: Sell on Amazon  |  Fulfilment by Amazon  |  Join Associates  |  Join Advantage
Customer Service  |  Help  |  View Basket  |  Your Account
About Amazon.co.uk  |  Careers at Amazon
Conditions of Use & Sale |  Privacy Notice  © 1996-2009, Amazon.com, Inc. and its affiliates