5 Great Martial Arts Duologies You May Not Know Even Existed

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Many classic martial arts stories are told in two movies instead of just one. While trilogies are often the most well-known way to extend a film series, some of the best martial arts adventures were specifically designed as duologies – meaning they worked perfectly with just two parts and didn’t require a third movie.

Many classic martial arts films have become instantly recognizable. Jackie Chan famously created sequels to two of his biggest hits: Drunken Master and Project A. More recently, The Raid, a highly acclaimed martial arts film from the 2000s, was followed up with an equally impressive sequel, The Raid 2.

Many excellent martial arts movies actually consist of two parts, but haven’t gotten much attention – often because they’re older, weren’t widely released, or have obscure titles. Especially during the 1970s and 80s, a lot of classic kung fu films received good sequels that continued the hero’s journey. While these might not be considered all-time greats, they are definitely worth seeking out and watching.

5. The One-Armed Boxer

Okay, let me tell you about The One-Armed Boxer. It’s a classic starring Jimmy Wang Yu as a martial arts student who gets dealt a really bad hand – he loses an arm and witnesses the brutal murder of his master and fellow students by these ruthless assassins. The whole film is basically about his incredible journey to master new fighting styles with just one arm, and systematically get revenge on everyone responsible for destroying his school. It’s a real showcase of dedication and some seriously impressive kung fu!

Wang Yu reprised his role as the One-Armed Boxer in The Master of the Flying Guillotine, which showed what happened after his quest for revenge in the original movie. It turns out that two of the men he killed had a powerful and dangerous mentor, who is now seeking retribution against him.

Watching these two Jimmy Wang Yu movies back-to-back is a treat for fans of the genre. They cleverly combine many classic elements: a familiar revenge story, an exciting martial arts competition, unusual villains, over-the-top attacks, creative weapons and fighting techniques, and even a memorable training montage.

4. The One-Armed Swordsman

Jimmy Wang Yu’s performance in the influential 1967 film The One-Armed Swordsman was a major inspiration for The One-Armed Boxer. In The One-Armed Swordsman, Wang Yu portrays a skilled martial artist who must rebuild his life after losing an arm to a woman he turned down. He retrains himself in combat and ultimately uses his abilities to save the life of his former teacher.

The movie’s pace dips a bit during a central romance, but it quickly recovers with thrilling battles and a spectacular climax where the hero fights his way through countless enemies. Wang Yu’s character’s incredibly swift and skillful combat inspired many later martial arts films featuring heroes who can single-handedly take on overwhelming odds.

Continuing the adventures of the hero from the first movie, Return of the One-Armed Swordsman focuses on a classic revenge story. While it didn’t have quite the same impact as the original, this 1969 film is still a solid and well-crafted addition to Wang Yu’s tale of Fang Gang.

3. Golden Swallow

King Hu’s 1966 film, Come Drink With Me, is considered one of the best martial arts movies with a female lead ever made. The film stars Cheng Pei-pei as Golden Swallow, a skilled swordswoman who disguises herself as a man to search for her kidnapped brother. Cheng Pei-pei’s impressive performance, combined with exciting fight choreography, made her a groundbreaking action star.

Cheng Pei-pei reprised her role in Golden Swallow, a sequel to Come Drink With Me. Though directed by Chang Cheh instead of the original director, Golden Swallow continues the story begun in the first film, delivering another epic martial arts adventure featuring a pair of heroes – one male and one female.

2. The Lady Hermit/Black Tavern

In The Lady Hermit, a determined young martial artist named Shih Szu hopes to train with a legendary, but secluded, fighter played by Cheng Pei-pei. They develop a strong teacher-student relationship, but romantic feelings for the same man, Lo Lieh, create tension. This complicates their efforts to overcome a common enemy: the villainous Black Knight.

Love triangles can sometimes feel out of place in martial arts films, but The Lady Hermit cleverly uses the awkwardness and humor of its romantic tension. The movie balances this lightheartedness with exciting action, making it a thoroughly enjoyable and action-packed experience.

Shih Szu is back in Black Tavern, another fun film that brings together a varied group of characters, all chasing a big payday. While Black Tavern is quite different from The Lady Hermit – it focuses more on mystery than romance – both movies share a common thread: a truly formidable villain with a distinctive fighting style that requires a team effort to defeat.

1. The Sentimental Swordsman

Released in 1977, The Sentimental Swordsman is a classic martial arts film featuring popular kung fu stars Ti Lung and Derek Yee. Ti Lung plays Li Xuanhuan, a skilled swordsman who sacrificed his personal happiness for the sake of honor – he gave up the woman he loved after losing a duel. He then embarks on a journey with Ah Fei (Derek Yee) to track down a mysterious criminal known as the Plum Blossom Bandit.

Released in 1981, Return of the Sentimental Swordsman reunites Ti Lung and Derek Yee as their familiar characters. The film begins with them leading separate lives, but they eventually cross paths again. They then encounter a third skilled fighter, played by Alexander Fu Sheng, which leads to a thrilling confrontation involving two heroes, a complex anti-hero, and a clear villain.

Both The Sentimental Swordsman films create a complete and believable world inspired by the novels of wuxia writer Gu Long. The diverse martial arts schools and fighting styles add a unique appeal, making the action sequences and overall story more captivating.

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2026-06-17 04:24