Much respected for his martial arts skills, Lau Kar-leung apprenticed under his father, whose teacher was a disciple of Wong Fei-hung, the celebrated folk hero in modern Chinese history and frequent protagonist of martial arts films. As an action choreographer-turned-director, Lau crafted a series of films since the 1970s that emphasised both martial arts skills and traditional virtues. Martial Club opens with an explanation of lion dancing before a breath-taking display of this traditional dance atop a human pyramid featuring dozens of stuntmen, a spectacle unparalleled in Hong Kong action cinema. The film chronicles the clashes between Wong Fei-hung (Gordon Liu Chia-hui) and a rival martial arts school, culminating in a riveting showdown between two masters (Wong’s opponent is played by Johnny Wong Lung-wei) in a narrow and winding alley. This scene, a stark contrast to the grandeur of the film’s opening, showcases the actors' and choreographers' superb dexterity and skill. The film remains an exemplary work by Lau, demonstrating his commitment to traditional martial arts and his brilliant cinematic techniques that bring his passionate vision to life.

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