Huo Yuan Jia (2006)

User Rating:

7.7/10   

Director:

Ronny Yu

Writers:

Chris Chow (written by)
Chi-long To (writer)

Release Date:

22 SZEPTEMBER 2006 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Biography | Sport

Tagline:

"Mastering others is strength. Mastering yourself makes you fearless." - Lao Tzu

Plot:

This film tells the story of Chinese Martial Arts Master Huo Yuanjia (1869-1910). Huo Yuanjia was the founder and spiritual guru of the Jin Wu Sports Federation.

Plot Keywords:

Martial Arts | Redemption | Chinese | Revenge | Tragedy

Awards:

3 wins & 7 nominations

Cast

Jet Li	...	Huo Yuanjia
Shido Nakamura	...	Anno Tanaka
Betty Sun	...	Moon (as Li Sun)
Yong Dong	...	Nong Jinsun
Hee Ching Paw	...	Yuanjia's Mother
Yun Qu	...	Grandma
Nathan Jones	...	Hercules O'Brien
Brandon Rhea	...	Belgian Fighter
Anthony De Longis	...	Spanish Swordman
Jean Claude Leuyer	...	English Boxer
Mike Leeder	...	Fight Referee
Jon T. Benn	...	American Businessman
John Paisley	...	English Businessman
Collin Chou	...	Yuanjia's Father
Masato Harada	...	Mita

Also Known As:

Fearless (International: English title) (UK) (USA)
Jet Li's Fearless (USA) (complete title)
Legend of a Fighter (Hong Kong: English title)
Untitled Jet Li Project (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for violence and martial arts action throughout.

Runtime:

USA:103 min | Hong Kong:141 min (Director's Cut DVD) | Philippines:105 min | UK:104 min | Thailand:111 min | Argentina:104 min

Country:

China | Hong Kong | USA

Language:

Japanese | English | Mandarin

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Singapore:NC-16 | Philippines:PG-13 | Malaysia:U | Hong Kong:IIB | UK:15 | South Korea:12 | Ireland:15A | Netherlands:16 | Switzerland:14 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:14 (canton of Vaud) | Norway:15 | Sweden:15 | Germany:12 | Finland:K-15 | Australia:M | Portugal:M/12 | Argentina:13 | France:U (with warning) | Peru:14 | USA:PG-13 (cut) | USA:Unrated (uncut version) | Australia:MA (2008) (director's cut) | New Zealand:M | Iceland:16

Filming Locations:

Shanghai, China

Company:

Beijing Film Studio

Trivia:

The character played by Brandon Rhea in the film, was based upon a German military attaché who was based in China at the turn of the 20th Century and had a background in German fencing and weapons techniques.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: Though the film takes place in 1910 and before, the western fencer Li faces in the beginning of the film uses a cavalry sword designed by George S. Patton in 1913. While very similar in design to earlier British cavalry swords, the Patton saber is readily recognizable by the lack painted hilt.

Quotes:

Huo Yuan Jia: Poison works very quickly. It has worked its way to my heart... Zhensheng, promise me you won't seek revenge. Revenge will only bring us more bloodshed. Please, that's not what I want. We must strive to become triumphant... Nong Jinsun, I only understand wushu. I practiced for many years to understand what Wushu is, what is wushu's real purpose. The competition must continue. One cannot choose how one's life begins. It takes courage to finish the final step.

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Troldspejlet: (#37.10)" (2007)

Jet Li in a Masterpiece

I've always been a fan of Jet Li since his early days, and frankly his movies and performances in them have been terrible in the last few years mainly due to his attempts to be a profitable and a more mainstream actor in the US. As a result, we were treated to "nice" movies like The One and Cradle to the Grave. This movie though makes up them. This was truly a gem. Not only were the action sequences spectacular, and I iterate spectacular, but the story line and acting as well as screen play was very tastefully done. Gone were the traditional comedic side plot, and welcomed was a sense of respect not only for the Chinese but also for some of the foreign countries that are often portrayed poorly in the movies. In the end, I can't help but feel like I've not only seen a great movie but felt the humanity and pride that the movie released. See it!