The Legend of Fong Sai Yuk

The Legend of Fong Sai Yuk

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Editorial Reviews

In a time of oppression and secret resistance, the legendary folk hero Fong Sai-Yuk faces off against a bevy of dangerous rivals in a spectacular martial arts tournament to try to win the hand of a beautiful maiden.
DVD Special Features:
• Feature Commentary by Hong Kong Cinema Expert Bey Logan
• Hit Hard & Fly High: An Exclusive Interview with Director & Legendary Hollywood Fight Choreographer Corey Yuen
• The Pen Is Mightier than the Sword: An Exclusive Interview with Writer Jeff Lau

Stills from The Legend of Fong Sai Yuk (Click for larger image)







Martial arts matinee idol Jet Li Lin-Kit, who made his U.S. debut as a bad guy in Lethal Weapon 4, portrays a real life turn-of-the-century Cantonese patriot, the dauntless Fong Sai-Yuk. This is a much more blunt and straightforward effort than Tsui Hark's flamboyant Once Upon a Time in China films, but codirectors Ann Hui (Song of the Exile) and Yuen Kwai (Yes, Madam) deliver many lively and funny sequences. For U.S. viewers, the revelation of the film will be Josephine Siao, a Cantonese film star of the '60s, in both comedies and high-flying swordplay films, who plays Fong Sai-Yuk's martial mother. Siao disguises herself as man to enter a martial arts competition and ends up winning both the prize and the heart of a high official's daughter--mostly because the girl has never met a hero with so much poetic sensitivity lurking just beneath the surface. Chu Kong (Sidney in John Woo's The Killer) plays Fong Sai-Yuk's father as an anti-Manchu patriot so unbendingly upright that he's a bit of a prig, and as the action heats up, political stakes emerge more clearly. In the grand finale, Fong Sai-Yuk squares off against a Manchu killer played with great panache by newcomer Chiu Man-cheuk. --David Chute

Customer Reviews

Don't be thrown off by the reviews copied in from "The Legend"--LOFSYuk is utterly fantastic and not to be missed!!!

Reviewed by Scott Baboyian, 2009-05-18

Due to a glitch at Amazon, there are numerous reviews cross-pasted from a hatchet-job of this movie called "The Legend." Buy the Dragon Dynasty release without fear: this is the real deal!

I've seen this movie in the theater several times. I can tell you that this is not only one of Jet Li's finest films, but also one of the real gems of HK movies, and one of the best period martial arts films of all time.

The characters are fun and charming, the acting full of energy. The story and script is humorous and heroic. The sets and period evocations are flawless.

Of course, the fighting is incredible: full use is made of many large set-pieces, similar to Iron Monkey and Wing Chun. And Jet is at the pinnacle of his grace and power, as well as boyish charm wedded to striking nobility and screen presence.

I advise all lovers of HK martial arts to see this brilliant film made during the modern height of the Hong Kong cinema glory days. And then come back and stick a 5-star review in here so this wonderful movie doesn't get done in by The Legend's bad reputation.

Quality martial arts comedy

Reviewed by Mr W, 2008-11-30

There are some great fights in this funny & exciting film. Some of the setpieces are amazingly well done & it's very good entertainment.

Decent

Reviewed by morgoth, 2006-03-06

This movie definitely wasn't for me, I like dark movies the most, but like the occasional comedy too. This one wasn't funny enough too keep my interest. The dubbing really ruins this, but it's not quite on the badness level of Twin Warriors. The movie itself is a pretty lighthearted adventure.

If you wanna see Jet in a Jackie Chan role, than this is for you.

Also----------------------my pick for Fong Sai Yuk is Ho Hsoua(Md Monkey Kung fu) His performance in disciples of master Killer really stole the show for me, also it's a much better overall movie, so I would suggest disciples for anyone who like this.

Original is better~!

Reviewed by Tradeand5, 2006-02-05

If you want UNCUT ORIGINAL version, ALWAYS look for ORIGINAL LICENSED Production. NOT US Release. Its a foreign film, it should not be US version to begin with~! HELLO!!!?? Why settle for LESS with US Version where they edit and cut so many excellent scenes especially with Jackie's Fighting Scenes. And US Release ruins the speed and sound as well. I have been collecting JET Li movies both HK and US Release Version for quite some time now. I found HK Version to be MUCH MORE in enjoyable, and HIGHER in Quality. American Market always like to "Americanize" and "Control". Regional Code Regulation thing is one of the example to CONTROL the Market. Why not let everyone enjoy the same HK Original Release move the same way REST OF THE WORLD enjoys it ?? No one makes Hollywood American movies to "French version" or "Chinese Version" ~! This what Americans are doing~! Well, enjoy the cheap "American version" then~! LOL

Don't waste your time and money

Reviewed by Subash S L, 2005-10-13

I just watched (actually by fast forwarding) "The Legend 2" and another Jet Li starrer called "Red Dragon" (not to be confused with the Hannibal/Anthony Hopkins movie of the same name) and I implore you to not waste a second of your precious time or a dime of your money on this so called martial arts crap, chinese style. First and foremost dubbing of any of these movies takes out the authentic flavor out of the original making the comedy, villiany, romance and any other kind of human emotion sound, look and feel pathetically lame. That's the big and only difference between these 'B'grade action movies from Honkong and a slicker production like "Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon" (slicker only, read my review of CTHD for details on that fiasco). This is no serious martial art and the comedy like those innumerable chinese martial art movies, SUCKS. I can only give some credit for the flexible acrobatics. If you wish to watch sensible Jet Li action check out his Holywood movies.