6 Incredible Martial Arts Movies That Predate Bruce Lee’s Films

by

Bruce Lee is famous for changing martial arts films, but he wasn’t the very first to create a great one. He became a huge star in 1971 with the film The Big Boss, which presented a fresh and impactful style that caught the attention of the entire film industry.

Although Bruce Lee undeniably changed martial arts films in the 1970s, the genre was already developing before he became famous with films like The Big Boss and Fist of Fury. Hong Kong’s Shaw Brothers studio had already achieved significant success with martial arts movies, and some of their earlier films are considered classics of the genre.

This film style gained popularity in the late 1960s, largely due to directors like Chang Cheh and King Hu. Actors such as Jimmy Wang Yu, Cheng Pei-pei, and Lo Lieh became stars, appearing in many iconic movies that mixed exciting sword fighting with classic themes like revenge, loyalty to teachers, and long-standing feuds. The genre evolved significantly in 1970 with a stronger emphasis on martial arts, setting the stage for Bruce Lee’s breakthrough the following year.

6. Come Drink With Me

King Hu was a groundbreaking director in martial arts films, and he’s best known for his 1966 movie, Come Drink With Me, made with Shaw Brothers. In the film, he launched Cheng Pei-pei’s career as the first female action star. She played Golden Swallow, a skilled swordswoman who pretends to be a man while searching for her brother.

The fight scenes and visuals in Come Drink With Me were incredibly influential, particularly on films like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon – a testament to its impact as a 1966 classic. While the film offers much to enjoy, a standout performance comes from Cheng Pei-pei as Golden Swallow. She enters a rowdy inn with remarkable confidence and quickly, and skillfully, defeats her opponents.

5. Dragon Inn

After leaving Shaw Brothers following the success of Come Drink With Me, King Hu immediately demonstrated his ability to create exceptional martial arts films independently. A year later, he directed Dragon Inn, a Taiwanese historical drama centering on a corrupt official’s pursuit of a family falsely accused of treason. His chase leads him to the Dragon Gate Inn, where he encounters a skilled band of warriors who stand in his way.

In Dragon Inn, director King Hu expertly brings the world of wuxia to life, balancing compelling characters with stunning swordplay.

Currently, the martial arts film Dragon Inn has a perfect 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, which is incredibly rare and shows how well-regarded it is. Its lasting impact is also clear from the fact that it’s been remade twice, once starring Jet Li as Flying Swords of Dragon Gate, and again with Donnie Yen in New Dragon Gate Inn.

4. The One-Armed Swordsman

The 1967 film The One-Armed Swordsman directed by Chang Cheh and produced by Shaw Brothers essentially created the formula for successful martial arts movies. The film stars Jimmy Wang Yu as a skilled swordsman whose fighting career is threatened when a woman he spurns amputates his arm.

The movie centers around Jimmy Wang Yu’s character, who is forced to adapt and fight with only one arm. He initially attempts to leave the violent world behind and settle down with his partner, but is ultimately drawn back into a final, explosive showdown. Throughout the film, he defeats his opponents quickly and decisively with single strikes – a remarkably efficient style that was unusual for martial arts films of that era.

This film is a landmark martial arts movie, largely because of its hero’s incredible fighting skills and its iconic training scenes. It heavily influenced countless Hong Kong action films that followed.

3. The Duel

In the early 1970s, director Chang Cheh and Shaw Brothers stars Ti Lung and David Chiang formed a famous team known as the Iron Triangle. Together, they made more than a dozen martial arts films, including 1971’s The Duel. This action movie centers on the son of a Chinese crime boss who must join forces with a mercenary to defend himself against a wave of attackers.

Like many martial arts films, the movie The Duel centers around a strong bond of brotherhood. The two main characters gain respect for each other while battling shared opponents, which makes their eventual confrontation—and the story as a whole—particularly emotional.

2. The Invincible Fist

Released in 1969, The Invincible Fist is a lesser-known but exciting martial arts film from Shaw Brothers. It stars Lo Lieh as a police officer tracking a gang of criminals. Complicating matters, he falls for a blind woman who unexpectedly turns out to be the daughter of one of the fugitives.

Despite being an action film, The Invincible Fist gives its villain surprising depth. His real love for his daughter complicates things for the hero and makes the story more interesting. This sympathetic portrayal is a welcome change for martial arts movies, and the film’s imaginative weapons add to its overall entertainment value, making it a standout in the genre.

1. The Chinese Boxer

Before Enter the Dragon became famous, The Chinese Boxer was a groundbreaking martial arts film. Released in 1970, it was one of the first major Hong Kong movies to focus on kung fu instead of traditional swordplay. Jimmy Wang Yu was the creative force behind the project – he wrote, directed, and starred in it.

This film follows a similar path to the classic The One-Armed Swordsman, taking that successful formula and refining it. Like that earlier movie, it stars Jimmy Wang Yu as a skilled fighter who is seriously injured and must train intensely to recover. However, instead of seeking a peaceful life, he’s driven by a quest for revenge – to avenge his teacher and classmates.

Even though it was made early in the martial arts film genre, The Chinese Boxer still delivers a complete and satisfying experience. The fight scenes aren’t as refined as later Shaw Brothers productions, but they feel powerful and are fun to watch. The film features a compelling revenge story and an exciting training montage for the main character. The climactic fight against Lo Lieh, who plays a convincingly intimidating villain, is a particularly memorable highlight, especially as it takes place in the snow.

Seeing Jimmy Wang Yu in The Chinese Boxer likely inspired Bruce Lee to create his own martial arts film. This ultimately led to him directing Way of the Dragon.

Read More

2026-05-06 05:15