The 1970s represent a supreme period in the context of martial arts movies. Although these films were being released as early as the 1920s, this decade effectively put the genre on the map and brought mainstream popularity with some of the best martial arts movie performances of all time. The love for martial arts cinema continued in the following years, with hit releases like The Karate Kid, which made such an impact it warranted a Karate Kid sequel 40 years later.
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Without a doubt, the most legendary figure of this period was Bruce Lee. As a pioneer of cinematic martial arts, Lee’s performances were so great they produced a new sub-genre known as Bruceploitation films that were aimed at emulating his style. While he is certainly a household name for this decade and beyond of martial arts movies, there are several more standout performances from the 1970s that majorly affected the genre.
10 Chiang Sheng
Five Deadly Venoms (1978)
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Five Deadly Venoms is a certified martial arts cult classic from the 1970s. It was a product of and one of the best movies by the Shaw Brothers Studio, the most acclaimed kung fu production company ever. The film follows the story of a kung fu master on the verge of death who sends his final student to track down his five previous pupils. Chiang Sheng portrays Yang Tieh, the sixth pupil, who sets off on a mission to take on students rumored to be evil.
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Five Deadly Venoms R
Director Cheh Chang Release Date August 12, 1978 Cast Sheng Chiang , Chien Sun , Phillip Chung-Fung Kwok , Meng Lo , Pai Wei , Feng Lu , Lung-Wei Wang , Feng Ku , Dick Wei , Shu-Pei Sun , Huang-Hsi Liu , Hui-Huang Lin , Ching-Ho Wang , Lao Shen , Han-Chen Wang , Yu-Lung Hsiao , Chih-Lu Chen , Chen-Tu Tan , You-Hsing Lai , Hung Chen , Mai-Li Chou , Kwok Wing Ha , Szu-Ying Chien , Tien-Chu Chin , Kin-Ping Chow , Ju Fang , Ming Fung , Ping Ko , Tsun Liu , Hung Lu , Tung Ting , Yung-Liang Tu , Ai-Ti Wan , Hsiung Yang , Tai-Ping Yu , Chris Hilton Runtime 97 Minutes Expand
There are several noteworthy performances in this film, but Sheng’s is unique. Although it is a bit campy, the choreography behind his fighting technique is well done. Above all, it demonstrates his diversity. Throughout the plot, Sheng has to face off against opponents who all employ different animal-based fighting styles: The Centipede, the Snake, the Scorpion, the Lizard, and the Toad. As such, he has to adapt his style to account for the weakness of his enemies, and it’s reflected in his combat.
9 Chuck Norris
The Way Of The Dragon (1972)
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Even the mention of Chuck Norris’ name is powerful enough to strike fear into people’s hearts. He is a true icon of the genre and a living legend in the fighting world. Even with such an accomplished career, his early performance alongside Bruce Lee is one of his best. Although it was only his second movie, Norris’ role as Colt in The Way of the Dragon brought him onto the martial arts scene.
Related 5 Famous Martial Arts Stars Bruce Lee Fought In His Movies
During his career, Bruce Lee went up against five other martial arts stars on the big screen. Here’s who they were and which movies they were in.
While Lee was the spectacle of this film, Norris’ presence stands out, even with his limited screen time. In one of the most famous showdowns in cinematic history, Lee (Tang Lung) and Norris (Colt) go toe to toe in the Coliseum. During their epic showdown, Norris shows off a variety of impressive moves, solidifying his legendary performance. The fight was so iconic that there are speculations on whether Norris and Lee fought in real life.
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8 Lo Lieh
Executioners From Shaolin (1977)
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When it comes to martial arts films from the 1970s, Lo Lieh’s name comes up a lot. Born in Indonesia and raised in Hong Kong, Lieh spent years sharpening his fighting skills. While appeared in many feature films around the decade, including King Boxer (1972) and Clan of the White Lotus (1980), Lieh’s performance in Executioners from Shaolin takes the cake.
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Executioners from Shaolin R
Director Lau Kar-leung Release Date February 16, 1977 Cast Chen Kuan-tai , Li-Li Li , Wong Yue , Lo Lieh , Gordon Liu Runtime 100 Minutes
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In the film, Lieh portrays Pai Mei, an evil priest who ultimately faces off against Hong Hsi-Kuan (Chen Kuan-Tai). Without a doubt, Lieh’s best scene takes place in the final moments of the film. During his fight with Kuan-Tai, his aura is unmatched. It’s less about the complexity or speed of his techniques, but simply how invincible Lieh seems. For most of the fight, he predicts his opponent’s moves and uses them against him. Even when he is grabbed in the face, he isn’t fazed.
7 David Chiang
The New One-Armed Swordsman (1971)
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David Chiang made a name for himself in the 60s and 70s for his collaborations with the Shaw Brothers Studio. He is a seasoned martial artist, actor, and director, who has carved out a large space in the overall genre. He is known for many films, but his presence in the One-Armed Swordsman franchise reigns supreme.
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Of the various films, Chiang delivers his most iconic performance in The New One-Armed Swordsman, and it assuredly stands out in the world of martial arts movies.
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The New One-Armed Swordsman
Director Chang Cheh Release Date February 7, 1971 Cast David Chiang , Ti Lung , Lee Ching , Ku Feng , Chan Sing , Wang Chung , Liu Kang , Huang Pei-Chih , Wang Kuang-Yu , Wong Ching-Ho , Shum Lo , Cheng Lei Runtime 102 Minutes
In the film, Chiang, playing Lei Li, is out for revenge. After losing his arm early in the film, he continues throughout the plot, only fighting with one hand. While this is a repeated concept, Chiang executes it the best. His performance seems so natural, it would seem as if he is more effective fighting this way. It is particularly impressive with regard to the swordplay choreography, and how Chiang carries it out so masterfully.
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6 Gordon Liu
The 36th Chamber Of Shaolin (1978)
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Gordon Liu is considered one of the most ruthless martial arts movie stars. Although he was already famous by the end of the 20th century, he became even more popular when he portrayed Johnny Mo and Master Pai Mei in the Kill Bill franchise. Much earlier, in another collaboration with the Shaw Brothers, Liu doesn’t hold back in The 36th Chamber of Shaolin.
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10/10 The 36th Chamber of Shaolin R
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*Availability in US Director Lau Kar-leung Release Date February 2, 1978 Cast Gordon Liu Chia-hui , Lo Lieh , John Cheung Ng-Long , Wilson Tong , Wa Lun , Hon Kwok-Choi , Lau Kar-Wing , Wai Wang , Chen Szu-Chia , Wong Ching-Ho , Woo Wang-Daat , Lee Hoi-Sang , Keung Hon , Hao Li-Jen , Shum Lo , Lui Tat , Chan Shen , Chiang Nan , Aai Dung-Gwa , Yuen Siu-Tien , Wang Han-Chen , Peter Chan Lung , Henry Yu Yang , Ng Hong-Sang , Norman Chui Siu-Keung Runtime 115 minutes Expand
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In the film, Liu’s character is trained by monks in a Shaolin temple, and the application of his technique is flawless. The fight scenes aren’t too drawn out, and Liu’s performance offers a more holistic presentation of the kung fu style. The training scenes are especially captivating, demonstrating how his moves translate to real battles. It’s an excellent film overall and Liu’s presence only makes it better.
5 Jackie Chan
Drunken Master (1978)
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Jackie Chan, a man who needs no introduction, brought an energy to the martial arts genre that few others could. Although he appeared as a stunt double in collaborations alongside Bruce Lee, he didn’t begin starring in roles until the late 1970s. Undoubtedly, one of his most impressive performances comes from his portrayal of Wong Fei Hung in The Drunken Master. This movie presents an interesting example for the genre, because it’s comedic, but his performance is stellar.
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Related Jackie Chan’s 10 Best Old School Kung Fu Movies, Ranked
Jackie Chan’s old-school kung fu filmography is unrivaled, with such classics as Drunken Master, New Fist Of Fury, and Dragon Fist.
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As he drinks rice wine and embodies the fabled drunken boxing style, Chan’s crazy athleticism shines. His techniques in the film have real roots in the history of kung fu. The drunken style is meant to emulate the demeanor of a drunk individual, emphasizing fluidity and false movements. Chan sheds light on this combat method in a comical way, but it doesn’t take away from his magnificence. Although it seems impractical, he presents a real threat, making Chan’s actions all the more genius.
4 Bruce Lee
Fist Of Fury (1972)
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Bruce Lee is truly the pioneer of the martial arts cinematic world. He effectively ushered the formula of kung fu movies into the modern era in an epic fashion. Although his career was unfortunately short-lived, he delivered several of the genre’s most impressive performances. For instance, Lee’s greatness in Fist of Fury is a combination of his combat ability and how he is portrayed in the film.
Bruce Lee
Birthdate November 27, 1940 Birthplace San Francisco, California, USA Notable Projects Enter the Dragon , The Way of the Dragon , Fist of Fury
Every punch, kick, and elbow Lee throws in Fist of Fury feels real and audible. His mannerisms only add to the experience as he yells during his movements. This was also one of the first films where Lee demonstrated his unmatched nunchuck prowess. The fight scene in the dojo encapsulates his on-screen persona the best. As he swings the weapon around his body at high speed, his opponents look upon him in horror, and for good reason.
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3 Angela Mao
The Angry River (1971)
Angela Mao comes from a background of opera performers and first became familiar with martial arts in a Peking Opera school. Considering The Angry River was her first film, she came out swinging, presenting her combat proficiency in an illustrious way. It might not be her most popular or critically acclaimed film, but her powerful presence is undeniable.
Angela Mao is the third of eight children, and most of her family were entertainers for the Peking Opera House.
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Her performance in this film is noteworthy for several reasons, but perhaps most importantly, it demonstrates a spectacle of sword fighting techniques that had never been seen before. It’s not just about her combat either, as Mao shows strong emotion during her time on screen in The Angry River, which is a testament to her acting ability. While the pacing of this film can be a bit odd, Mao sets the bar high for the martial arts film actresses that would follow her.
2 Jimmy Wang Yu
The Hammer Of God (1970)
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Often considered Bruce Lee’s rival, Jimmy Wang Yu was a stone-cold killer in martial arts cinema. The Hammer of God, also known as The Chinese Boxer, follows Lei Ming, portrayed by Wang Yu, as he seeks out the assailants who killed his master and destroyed his school. The Hammer of God is considered one of the best films in the history of martial arts, and for good reason.
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The Hammer of God R
Director Jimmy Wang Yu Release Date November 27, 1970 Cast Jimmy Wang Yu , Lieh Lo , Ping Wang , Hsiung Chao , Mien Fang , Lei Cheng , Sing Chen , Li Tung Runtime 90 Minutes
Considering Wang Yu’s ruthless style of fighting, shown in his one-hit sword attacks in Golden Swallow (1968), he is considerably more tame in this film. Yet, it doesn’t take away from the magnitude of his performance. The cinematography of this movie nicely complements Wang Yu’s combat scenes. As he flips through the air and lands strikes against multiple opponents at once, the camera follows him in a way that makes the action feel personable. His white masks and gloves make his image in the film all the more iconic.
1 Bruce Lee
Enter The Dragon (1973)
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Although it was his second to last project, Enter the Dragon turned Lee into an international superstar. On lists of the greatest martial arts movies of all time, this film is frequently in the number one spot. This wouldn’t have been the case had it not been for Lee’s groundbreaking performance. There are so many noteworthy fights in Enter The Dragon that it’s hard to choose one that proves why this is the most legendary cinematic fighting display ever seen.
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Lee does everything right in this movie. From the tension to the bone-crunching contact, it feels like martial arts in its purest form. The one-of-a-kind fight choreography is the cherry on top. Lee puts on a kung fu clinic, pulling out moves that have never been seen before, while his fight in the room of mirrors ties it all together. It’s a simple, one-on-one match, but the acting and scenery make it a special and immersive experience. Lee’s role in Enter the Dragon is everything a martial arts performance should be.
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10/10 Enter the Dragon RActionCrimeDramaMartial Arts
Enter the Dragon is a popular martial artist movie starring Bruce Lee. The 1973 film focuses on a Shaolin martial artist who infiltrates an opium lord’s fortress by pretending to be interested in a fighting tournament. Robert Clouse directed the film, which co-starred John Saxon, Jim Kelly, and Ahna Capri.
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*Availability in US Director Robert Clouse Release Date August 19, 1973 Studio(s) Concord Productions , Warner Bros. Writers Michael Allin Cast Bruce Lee , John Saxon , Ahna Capri , Bob Wall , Shih Kien , Jim Kelly Runtime 102 Minutes Expand