Hapkido (film)

Hapkido (Chinese: 合氣道), released as Lady Kung Fu in North America, is a 1972 Hong Kong martial arts film directed by Huang Feng and starring Angela Mao.[1] The film co-stars Carter Wong and Sammo Hung, and has early cameo appearances from Jackie Chan, Yuen Biao and Corey Yuen. It was released by Golden Harvest.

Hapkido
Directed byHuang Feng
Written byHo Jen
Produced byRaymond Chow
Starring
CinematographyDanny Lee
Edited byPeter Cheung
Music byLai Shu-Hua
Distributed byGolden Harvest
Release date
October 12, 1972
Running time
92 minutes
CountryHong Kong
LanguageMandarin

Plot

It is 1934, in Japanese occupied Korea. Yu Ying, Kao Chang and Fan Wei are sitting and talking in a park when they are approached by a group of Japanese toughs. The leader of the Japanese begins to make unwelcome advances, and Yu Ying tries her best to ignore him. Fan Wei loses his temper and a melee ensues. These three have just graduated, learning the art of Hapkido and they return to China in the hopes of setting up their own school, which they do. The Japanese, who consider it an inferior martial art, try to run them out of town with some traitorous Chinese, including Chou Ba-tien. Yu Ying, Kao Chang and Fan Wei do not want any trouble as it goes against the wishes of their master and his teachings. It is Fan Wei who finally loses it after being insulted by some Japanese. This does not go down well and Fan Wei becomes a wanted man, having to hide out while Yu Ying and Kao Chang try to reason with The Black Bear Gang without much luck. Finally the Japanese go too far, killing both Kao Chang and Fan Wei, which forces Yu Ying to fight back along with her Hapkido Elder Brother, killing the leaders of the Black Bear Gang.[2]

Cast

Cameos/Extras

Reception

In September 1973, the film topped the North American box office, briefly overtaking the Bruce Lee blockbuster Enter the Dragon, which eventually regained the top spot several weeks later.[3] It was digitally re-mastered and restored by Hong Kong Legends in 2006.[4]


References
  1. David A. Cook (15 March 2002). Lost Illusions: American Cinema in the Shadow of Watergate and Vietnam, 1970 ... p. 267. ISBN 9780520232655. Retrieved 27 February 2016.
  2. Bill Palmer; Karen Palmer; Ric Meyers (January 1995). The Encyclopedia of Martial Arts Movies. p. 147. ISBN 9781461672753. Retrieved 27 February 2016.
  3. Desser, David (2002). "The Kung Fu Craze: Hong Kong Cinema's First American Reception". In Fu, Poshek; Desser, David (eds.). The Cinema of Hong Kong: History, Arts, Identity. Cambridge University Press. pp. 19-43 (34). ISBN 978-0-521-77602-8.
  4. "Lady Whirlwind / Hapkido : DVD Talk Review of the DVD Video". Dvdtalk.com. Retrieved 27 February 2016.
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