Legendary Weapons of China

Following his directorial debut The Spiritual Boxer (1975), action choreographer-turned-director Lau Kar-leung redefined the martial arts genre with his authentic combat techniques and a strong emphasis on the martial code of honour. Legendary Weapons of China is perhaps the finest expression of his cinematic vision, bringing together many of the defining qualities of his work.

Set during the Boxer Uprising in the late Qing dynasty, it tells a story of a secret society of ‘boxers’ who believed themselves to be invulnerable to Western gunfire through spiritual possession and supernatural powers. The film centres on Lui Gung, who turns against the sect and is thus pursued by three masters, each practising a different form of mystical boxing. The film’s first half is packed with exhilarating fight sequences that blend martial arts with magic and sorcery. In the second half, Lui Gung faces his brother (Lau Kar-wing) in a breathtaking series of duels featuring eighteen traditional Chinese weapons, showcasing Chinese martial arts weaponry.

This was the first film on which Andrew Lau worked, serving as a camera assistant to cinematographer Peter Ngor. His years at Shaw Brothers laid the foundation for his filmmaking career, equipping him with the skills and experience that would become his own ‘legendary weapons’ as he rose through the ranks in Hong Kong’s film industry.

Date	Time	Venue
5/9/2026 (Sat) #	11:30am	Cinema, Hong Kong Film Archive

# Post-screening talk with Andrew Lau Wai-keung and Thomas Shin (moderator)

The contents of the programme do not represent the views of the presenter. The presenter reserves the right to change the programme should unavoidable circumstances make it necessary.

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