The Story of Wong Fei-hung, Part I:
Wong Fei-hung's Whip that Smacks the Candle
Orig Story: Chu Yu-chai
Scr: Ng Yat-siu
Prod Co: Yongyao
Cast: Kwan Tak-hing, Chan Lo-wah, Ma Siu-ying, Tso Tat-wah, Lee Lan
1949 | B&W | DCP | Cantonese | Chi & Eng subtitles | 77min
The Story of Wong Fei-hung, Part II:
Wong Fei-hung Burns the Tyrant's Lair
Orig Story: Chu Yu-chai
Scr: Ng Yat-siu
Prod Co: Yongyao
Cast: Kwan Tak-hing, Tso Tat-wah, Sek Kin, Lee Lan, Chan Lo-wah
1949 | B&W | D Beta | Cantonese | Chinese Lyrics | 67min (incomplete)
These films were discovered locally in 2011.
Since its opening in the 1960s, Television Broadcasts Limited (TVB) has been acquiring Hong Kong films, across the ages and in all genres, for free broadcasting to its audience. The Archive had been discussing with TVB since 1992 regarding the transfer of their film collection. Finally, an agreement was reached in 2011 and the Archive acquired almost a thousand films, 60% of which were brand new collections. To commemorate this achievement, the Archive held a star-studded transfer ceremony.
The Story of Wong Fei-hung, Part I by Wu Pang marks the beginning of the long-lasting film series of the martial arts master. Hong Kong cinema's fabled superhero is still in his formative stage, with Kwan Tak-hing, playing the titled master, sometimes being rash and irritable, unlike the tough, stern and composed patriarch of later films. The immaculately choreographed fight scenes feature authentic kungfu moves, with faithful demonstrations of the southern Chinese style Hung fist. Also featured are traditional Lingnan folk songs that add a touch of down-home, unpretentious appeal. In the sequel, The Story of Wong Fei-hung, Part II, Master Wong fights against a lineup of martial artists, highlighting the renowned ‘Shadowless Kick' for the first time on screen. The two films not only lifted the curtain for the enduring series of Wong Fei-hung films but also helped alleviate the martial-arts tradition of Hong Kong cinema to its glorious stature.
| Date | Time | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 30/10/2021 (Sat) # | 12:00pm | Cinema, Hong Kong Film Archive |
# Post-screening talk with Susan Au
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.