Legendary Weapons of China
Legendary Weapons of China
十八般武藝
Overview
"During the Boxer Rebellion, a martial arts sect dedicated to magical invulnerability seeks to assassinate a former leader who disbanded his chapter after realizing magic cannot stop bullets. The film is a sprawling showcase of Chinese martial arts weaponry as assassins converge on the secluded master."
Iconic Tracked Scenes
- ▶
Sect members attempt to demonstrate bullet immunity through magical rituals, resulting in a graphic failure.
"bulletproof magic fail""boxer ritual" - ▶
Lei Kung, disguised as an old woodcutter, subtly uses supreme pole techniques to fend off an attacker without revealing his skills.
"woodcutter defense""secret master hiding" - ▶
A jaw-dropping, continuous weapon duel where fighters constantly swap between the legendary eighteen arms of martial arts.
"eighteen weapons fight""weapon swapping duel" - ▶
An incredibly tense fight in an attic space where space restrictions dictate the weapon choices and movements.
"attic fight""cramped space battle"
Why It's Remembered
- ★The terrifying display of 'voodoo' mind-control practices by the Boxer sects.
- ★The master hiding his identity in plain sight as a woodcutter.
- ★The final monumental duel that systematically cycles through eighteen different classical weapons.
Cultural Context
- ◈Directed by and starring Lau Kar-Leung, considered one of the foremost authentic traditional martial artists in Hong Kong cinema.
- ◈Famous for an unbroken, epic sequence showcasing an incredible variety of distinct Chinese weapons.
- ◈Deals with the historical trauma of the Boxer Rebellion and the clash between traditional martial arts and modern firearms.
About the Action Elements
Legendary Weapons of China is widely celebrated among martial arts cinema fans for sequences involving ritual, bulletproof, fail, magic, boxer. One of the most memorable sequences features Lau Kar-Leung naturally executing bulletproof magic fail, where the choreography and unique set pieces become the unexpected highlight of the film.