Stories of revenge can often be found in the martial arts genre, with many classic kung fu films from the 1970s and 1980s masterfully bringing such stories to life. During this time is when many consider the martial arts genre to have peaked, largely in part to Bruce Lee’s star power during the ’70s, which helped popularize Hong Kong action cinema as a whole. Lee and Gordon Liu are two familiar faces who appeared in several of the best kung fu films of the time, leading gripping stories of revenge.
Like any good revenge action movie, it’s exciting for audiences to watch the villains in these kung fu films get a taste of their own medicine. Combined with innovative and precise fight choreography, revenge films like Clan of the White Lotus and The Eight Diagram Pole Fighter have audiences on the edge of their seats. A select few old-school kung fu movies also ground their splashy action with moving stories connecting back to their protagonists’ thirst for revenge, providing audiences with a balanced film that’s thrilling and emotionally rewarding.
10
Opium And The Kung-Fu Master (1984)
Directed by Tang Chia
In Opium and the Kung-Fu Master, the titular drug begins to take over a local town, negatively impacting the lives of many, including Ti Lung’s Tit Kiu Sam. The character’s physical strength weakens over time, making him more susceptible to defeat and public humiliation, which opium dealer Wing Fung (Chen Kuan-tai) takes full advantage of. Like any good revenge narrative, Opium and the Kung-Fu Master has a wonderful and alluring build-up to its final confrontation.
After reaching his breaking point, Tit Kiu Sam decides he’s had enough and gets revenge against those contributing to the town’s opium crisis. Seeing how easily and shamelessly someone like Wing Fung could take advantage of those battling addiction, audiences are guaranteed to be hooked by Tit Kiu Sam’s revenge mission.
9
The Chinese Boxer (1970)
Directed by Jimmy Wang Yu
Released at the start of the genre’s golden era, The Chinese Boxer, also known as The Hammer of God, introduced a significant shift in the action seen in martial arts movies. Moving away from the swordsmanship displayed in the wuxia genre years prior, martial arts films began focusing on unarmed, hand-to-hand combat. This fighting technique is seen throughout The Chinese Boxer, which follows Jimmy Wang Yu’s Lei Ming on his revenge mission against the karate experts that killed his master and fellow students.
The film’s performances, especially that of Lo Lieh, are captivating, and its action sequences are delightfully intense and well-choreographed. Despite being dubbed the “first true martial arts film” and establishing many of the tropes and narrative devices seen in the kung fu films that followed, The Chinese Boxer is still a refreshing watch decades later.
8
Warriors Two (1978)
Directed by Sammo Hung
No list covering the best old school kung fu movies is complete without the mention of an offbeat comedy. Sammo Hung, a prolific figure in Hong Kong cinema, wrote, directed, and starred in Warriors Two, which depicts the movie’s protagonist (Casanova Wong) on his journey to learn from a local Wing Chun master (Bryan Leung) everything he needs to know to get revenge on his enemies.
Hung’s signature sense of humor, which would eventually go on to define much of his filmography, is on full display throughout Warriors Two, and is most apparent in the film’s eccentric characters and over-the-top action sequences. The latter component is never messy and is instead considered to be some of the most authentic presentations of the Wing Chun style of kung fu seen in martial arts movies.
7
Executioners From Shaolin (1977)
Directed by Lau Kar-leung
A multi-generational tale of revenge is at the center of Executioners from Shaolin. The film is one of Lo Lieh’s best martial arts movies, where he takes on the villainous role of Pai Mei, a master of kung fu with a signature move that is strange, but powerful nonetheless. Throughout the film, audiences witness a father and son duo on separate paths of revenge against Pai Mei.
Though the villain is a standout in the film, audiences still root for his demise. Combining humor with action, Executioners from Shaolin is a fun watch. The martial arts choreography throughout the film is innovative and sees the crossover of the Crane and Tiger styles of kung fu. This combination proves to be quite useful in the tense fight scenes, as well as in the aforementioned father and son duo’s arc as kung fu experts.
6
The Avenging Eagle (1978)
Directed by Sun Chung
Ti Lung and Alexander Fu Sheng’s chemistry in The Avenging Eagle is one of the film’s many great qualities. The kung fu movie follows Chik Ming-sing (Ti Lung), a former member of a murderous group of bandits who is now on the run, as he comes across Cheuk Yi-fan (Fu Sheng), a mysterious man seeking revenge against the bandits for killing his family. Despite their common desire for revenge, the two have a complicated connection.
The action sequences in The Avenging Eagle wonderfully complement the film’s revenge-driven narrative and are unforgettable. Whether it’s the unforgiving acts of violence carried out by the villainous Yoh Xi-Hung (Ku Feng) or the revenge-seeking duo’s electric teamwork, audiences are guaranteed to be impressed by The Avenging Eagle‘s striking action.
5
The Eight Diagram Pole Fighter (1984)
Directed by Lau Kar-leung
Arguably the best martial arts film produced by the Shaw Brothers, The Eight Diagram Pole Fighter is equally entertaining and emotional, as its story draws on themes of revenge and retribution. The film is based on a collection of stories known as The Generals of the Yang Family, and sees general Yeung Yip and his sons ambushed at the start of the film.
With only two sons making it out of the attack alive, the remainder of the kung fu film follows Gordon Liu’s Ng-long as he trains and sets out to avenge his brothers’ deaths. The Eight Diagram Pole Fighter is not only packed with brutal and well-choreographed martial arts sequences, but the story of loss at its center is also incredibly moving.
4
Clan Of The White Lotus (1980)
Directed by Lo Lieh
A follow-up to Lau Kar-leung’s Executioners from Shaolin and Ho Meng Hua’s Abbot of Shaolin, Clan of the White Lotus continues the story of Pai Mei. This time, the character’s brother, Priest White Lotus (Lo Lieh), is out for revenge against the assassins who killed Pai Mei. The movie deftly combines fact with fiction for an exciting revenge story that’s easy for audiences to become invested in.
Clan of the White Lotus has everything audiences could want out of an old-school kung fu movie. There’s an abundance of training montages and exceptional fight choreography put together by the influential Lau Kar-leung. Clan of the White Lotus also features many familiar faces in Hong Kong cinema at the time, including Lo, Gordon Liu, and Kara Hui.
3
Five Fingers Of Death (1972)
Directed by Jeong Chang-hwa
Five Fingers of Death, also known as King Boxer, is credited with introducing North American audiences to kung fu movies and kick-starting a craze that produced several films in the genre. Five Fingers of Death explores themes of jealousy and revenge in an exciting action movie that features standout fight choreography by Lau Kar-wing. The film is led by Lo Lieh as Chao Chi-hao, a promising kung fu master who must defeat those part of a rival martial arts school.
Five Fingers of Death gets its name from Chao Chi-hao’s unique ability. The character can channel his power into his hands, which consequently glow a bright red and deliver a powerful force strong enough to launch his enemies across a room. The film’s energetic action and compelling revenge narrative carved a path for movies like Enter the Dragon.
2
Fist Of Fury (1972)
Directed by Lo Wei
Featuring one of the best martial arts movie performances of the ’70s, Fist of Fury stars Bruce Lee as Chen Zhen. Being Lee’s most important character, Chen Zhen is seen returning home in Fist of Fury only to find out that his kung fu master, Huo Yuanjia, has died. Determined to get revenge against those responsible for his death, Chen Zhen also finds himself becoming the face of Chinese nationalism in an ongoing fight against a rival Japanese dojo.
The story in Fist of Fury —a student avenging their kung fu master’s death— has been told several times before, but this doesn’t negatively impact the movie’s ability to entertain and stick with audiences. Fist of Fury‘s historical themes set it apart from other kung fu films at the time, just as much as its realistic fight scenes, choreographed by Lee, do.
1
The 36th Chamber Of Shaolin (1978)
Directed by Lau Kar-leung
Rightfully recognized as one of the best kung fu films of all time, The 36th Chamber of Shaolin tells a fascinating story of revenge and is led by a celebrated actor and martial artist in the genre. The film tells a fictionalized version of San Te’s life, a Shaolin martial arts disciple portrayed by Gordon Liu in the film. Unlike most kung fu films, The 36th Chamber of Shaolin isn’t as concerned with its action sequences.
While there are still plenty of thrilling fight scenes to keep martial arts fans satisfied, The 36th Chamber of Shaolin works well as an effective, though embellished, origin story for San Te. The film sees the martial arts figure rebel against the oppressive Manchu government by avenging those killed at their hands.