Most Influential Martial Arts Films of All Time

[Serena]

Thought some of you might be interested in this list.
So, what's your opinion? Agree or disagree?

I like how they included Steven Seagal as one of the "few talented martial artists to reach super stardom through film".


Most Influential Martial Arts Films of All Time
April 2, 2005

Karate Kidz Online has compiled a list of the most influential martial art movies that have had the most significant impact on the world of martial arts.

These movies broke new ground and paved the way for a few talented martial artists to reach super stardom through film, such as Bruce Lee, Chuck Norris, Steven Seagal, Jean Claude Van Damm, Sho Kosugi and Jackie Chan. Never again will moviegoers see a low budget martial arts film hit the big time as the making of martial arts films have grown to hefty budgets and super effects such as scene in the films “Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon” and the “Hero”.

With films like Quentin Tarantino’s “Kill Bill” Volume I and II, setting the pace for todays martial arts films, the actors, directors and producers of martial arts films of yesterday will go down in history as being the true pioneers of martial arts in film. So we have excluded recent titles from this list and will feature them in a separate segment focusing on the progression of martial arts in Hollywood.

This list is not in any particular order.

ENTER THE DRAGON

CROUCHING TIGER HIDDEN DRAGON

THE KARATE KID

BILLY JACK

GOOD GUYS WEAR BLACK

FIVE FINGERS OF DEATH

THE MATRIX

RUMBLE IN THE BRONX

ENTER THE NINJA

SEVEN SAMURAI

FIVE DEADLY VENOMS

THE KID WITH THE GOLDEN ARM

MASTER KILLER

BLOOD SPORT

THE LAST DRAGON

Though many other martial arts films will be developed with huge budgets in mind, thanks to the “Matrix” and Mr. Quentin Tarantino and others will be made that will go straight to DVD, it is doubtful that they will ever have the impact of the above mentioned films.

 

[Amos Stevens]

Kind of sad to think that karate kid made that list But i'm not surprised about Billy Jack..the one that brought Aikido to the screen,but we know who brought it to life

 

[Littledragon]

Kind of sad to think that karate kid made that list But i'm not surprised about Billy Jack..the one that brought Aikido to the screen,but we know who brought it to life

Billy Jack brought Hapkido to the screen not Aikido.

Grandmaster Bong Soo Han did the fighting for Tom Laughling.

 

[Serena]

Billy Jack brought Hapkido to the screen not Aikido.

Grandmaster Bong Soo Han did the fighting for Tom Laughling.

You never said what you thought of the list in general, Littledragon. I was especially interested in your opinion to see if you agreed with the majority of these movies.

 

[Littledragon]

Thought some of you might be interested in this list.
So, what's your opinion? Agree or disagree?

I like how they included Steven Seagal as one of the "few talented martial artists to reach super stardom through film".


Most Influential Martial Arts Films of All Time
April 2, 2005

Karate Kidz Online has compiled a list of the most influential martial art movies that have had the most significant impact on the world of martial arts.

These movies broke new ground and paved the way for a few talented martial artists to reach super stardom through film, such as Bruce Lee, Chuck Norris, Steven Seagal, Jean Claude Van Damm, Sho Kosugi and Jackie Chan. Never again will moviegoers see a low budget martial arts film hit the big time as the making of martial arts films have grown to hefty budgets and super effects such as scene in the films “Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon” and the “Hero”.

With films like Quentin Tarantino’s “Kill Bill” Volume I and II, setting the pace for todays martial arts films, the actors, directors and producers of martial arts films of yesterday will go down in history as being the true pioneers of martial arts in film. So we have excluded recent titles from this list and will feature them in a separate segment focusing on the progression of martial arts in Hollywood.

This list is not in any particular order.

ENTER THE DRAGON

CROUCHING TIGER HIDDEN DRAGON

THE KARATE KID

BILLY JACK

GOOD GUYS WEAR BLACK

FIVE FINGERS OF DEATH

THE MATRIX

RUMBLE IN THE BRONX

ENTER THE NINJA

SEVEN SAMURAI

FIVE DEADLY VENOMS

THE KID WITH THE GOLDEN ARM

MASTER KILLER

BLOOD SPORT

THE LAST DRAGON

Though many other martial arts films will be developed with huge budgets in mind, thanks to the “Matrix” and Mr. Quentin Tarantino and others will be made that will go straight to DVD, it is doubtful that they will ever have the impact of the above mentioned films.

The majority of the list I disagree with. I agree with Master Killer, Blood Sport, Enter The Dragon, Billy Jack, and Enter The Ninja as Martial Arts revoultionizing films.

But they left out too many instead taken place by The Matrix, and bad kung fu movies like Lo Han's 5 Fingers Of Death.

What about the revoultionizing Jackie Chan films such as Drunken Master, Dragon's Forever, Police Story, Project A? Or Steven Seagal's Above The Law? Or Jet Li's Fist Of Legend?

 

[Serena]

The majority of the list I disagree with. I agree with Master Killer, Blood Sport, Enter The Dragon, Billy Jack, and Enter The Ninja as Martial Arts revoultionizing films.

But they left out too many instead taken place by The Matrix, and bad kung fu movies like Lo Han's 5 Fingers Of Death.

What about the revoultionizing Jackie Chan films such as Drunken Master, Dragon's Forever, Police Story, Project A? Or Steven Seagal's Above The Law? Or Jet Li's Fist Of Legend?

See, now your opinion I respect and trust, Littledragon, as I know you have an extensive collection and have seen so many films in that genre. I can't comment, as I know nothing about these. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

 

[Littledragon]

See, now your opinion I respect and trust, Littledragon, as I know you have an extensive collection and have seen so many films in that genre. I can't comment, as I know nothing about these. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

No problem Serena.

 

[Lollipop]

Well I saw Karate Kid, was not impressed! My boys loved it!

But Billy Jack is a long time favorite of mine as Amos well knows!!!! Of course it had a song! With true meaning!

"Go ahead and hate a neighbor go ahead and cheat a friend, you can do it in the name of heaven and try to justify it in the end!"

 

[Amos Stevens]

Wonder if I could edit my answer & not look so stupid Thanks for the correction LD

"One Tin Soldier" is the name of that song Lollipop

 

[Lollipop]

Wonder if I could edit my answer & not look so stupid Thanks for the correction LD

"One Tin Soldier" is the name of that song Lollipop

Yes you can, you are in charge! I know the name I just like those lyrics!

 

[Aikilove]

Well The Matrix would definately go under the category of revolutionizing MA movies I would say!

/J

 

[Littledragon]

Well The Matrix would definately go under the category of revolutionizing MA movies I would say!

/J

In my opinion it would not, because it did a diservice to Martial Arts in film, after The Matrix you saw everyone on wires, Jet Li, Jackie Chan, and even Steven Seagal. It took the realism out of Martial Arts in the films which in my opinion hurt Martial Arts in movies for true martial art movie goers.

 

[koda]

I like Chuck Norris´s movies, Don´t you LD?

 

[Littledragon]

I like Chuck Norris´s movies, Don´t you LD?

Sorry Koda but I am really not impressed with Chuck Norris's movies.

I think as a Martial Artist he is over rated.

 

[Aikilove]

In my opinion it would not, because it did a diservice to Martial Arts in film, after The Matrix you saw everyone on wires, Jet Li, Jackie Chan, and even Steven Seagal. It took the realism out of Martial Arts in the films which in my opinion hurt Martial Arts in movies for true martial art movie goers.

I didn't say that I liked it but you yourself verified why I'm right "after The Matrix you saw everyone on wires..."
seems like a revolution to me!

/J

 

[MJ fan]

I think the no1 will always be enter the dragon. It introduced the whole world to REAL martial arts!

 

[Donald Lee Wilkey]

I liked Remo Williams.
Joel Grey and Fred Ward performed some good martial art moves in this film.
"Shi-Nan-Ju, the birth of all martial arts", what a great statement from Joel Grey's character Master Chun.
And Chongju rice down at the corner store, this film is definately apart of the martial art revolutionary movies of all time!
Also, it's a funny film too

 

[Amos Stevens]

Yeah I remember Fred Ward as Remo Williams...the little Oriental amazing man I recall as well. I think they made a sequel-but it didn't go over

 

[Donald Lee Wilkey]

Yeah I remember Fred Ward as Remo Williams...the little Oriental amazing man I recall as well. I think they made a sequel-but it didn't go over

Amos, i believe their second show together was titled: "Remo Williams, the Adventure Continues". Hope some day it'll be available on DVD

 

[jkorpel]

I would have to say the Akira Kurasawa Classics: "The Seven Samurai", "Yojimbo", and "Sanjuro". These classic movies were the first to introduce the west to Bushido concepts.

I would also add "Harikiri" by Masaki Kobayashi. If you haven't seen this 1962 classic, its a must see.

For open hand martial arts it would have to be "Enter the Dragon"

Of course "Above the Law" because it introduced the world to my favorite Martial Art! Couldn't believe all the new students that showed up at my dojo after this movie came out.

Guess I'm showing my age here