Sammo Hung is a legend in martial arts and kung fu cinema, playing many different roles as an actor and also producing, directing, and choreographing fight sequences, setting the trend on many aspects of the genre overall. He was a pivotal figure in the Hong Kong New Wave movement, creating some of the best kung fu films of the 1980s, popularizing the kung fu genre to a larger, international audience with his focus on clever stories, dramatic narratives, and more Western-style action and special effects, as well as other technical aspects, like synchronous sound and filming movies on different locations.
Whether in front of the camera or behind it, Sammo has left his mark on the culture of martial arts cinema. Films like The Prodigal Son and Pedicab Driver are landmarks in their genre, with stand-out acting, storytelling, and fight scenes that are as iconic today as they were back then. Even 50 years later, Sammo’s work is still held in high regard, and his ability to mix comedy and action blazed the trail for many future stars to come. An icon of kung fu cinema and cinema in general, Sammo’s influence has created some of the best action films of all time.
10 Eastern Condors (1984)
Starring Sammo Hung And Yuen Biao
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Directed and starring Sammo Hung, Eastern Condors is set one year after the end of the Vietnam War and recounts the story of a military Lieutenant who has to lead a group of rag-tag, ‘expendable’ criminals to destroy an abandoned silo of military weapons before they fall into the wrong hands. The story is gripping and clever throughout, and you can feel the influence films like this have on more famous Hollywood blockbusters that would come out many years later.
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As an action film, Eastern Condors cannot be knocked; it has many incredible and intricate fighting sequences, hand-to-hand combat, and stunning stunt choreography throughout the movie. Many of the actors, like Lam Ching Ying and Corey Yuen Kwai, as well as Hung, are all experienced stuntmen, directors, and coordinators themselves, coming together to create a special piece of military kung fu cinema. Eastern Condors avoids the main issues and politics involved in the Vietnam War and simply sticks to the plot and action, and does so with a unique blend of acrobatics and combat.
9 Knockabout (1979)
Starring Yuen Biao And Sammo Hung
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Kung fu legend Yuen Biao, known as the ‘third star’ behind Sammo Hung and Jackie Chan, leads in this film about two con artist brothers who are themselves conned out of their ill-gotten golden fortune by their mentor (Lau Kar Wing). The film follows them as they transition from small-time thieves to polished martial artists with the help, training, and guidance of a ‘Fat Beggar’ perfectly played by Hung.
In this martial arts comedy film, Hung plays a more minor role than in some of his other, more famous movies; however, the character is integral to pushing the narrative forward and providing much of the entertainment. Biao is able to showcase his full athletic ability, and the training montages are detailed and entertaining and provide context and believability to the film’s action sequences. It is a quality, slapstick martial arts film that is often underrated in Hung’s directorial catalog.
8 Encounters Of The Spooky Kind (1988)
Starring Sammo Hung And Wong Ha
Again, written, directed, and starring Sammon Hung, this cult classic martial arts film blends many genres together, including kung fu, comedy, and supernatural horror to create the perfect mix of story and action. The narrative is supremely entertaining, with Hung’s character, Bold Cheung, tasked with spending the night in a haunted house before becoming the victim of a plot to be killed by his wife’s lover. Having a witch, vampires, and ‘Jianghi’ spirits pitted against him in increasingly comical, terrifying, and bizarre sequences
The genres flow and contrast perfectly, and the combination of the intricate, fast-paced story with the paranormal action sequences and unique visual effects makes this a film deserving of more praise and one that opened the door for similar supernatural martial arts films moving into the 1990s.
A step away from some of Hung’s more traditional, old-school kung fu films, Encounters Of The Spooky Kind combines the supernatural elements flawlessly with the usual action you expect from a seasoned fight choreographer and director. The genres flow and contrast perfectly, and the combination of the intricate, fast-paced story with the paranormal action sequences and unique visual effects makes this a film deserving of more praise and one that opened the door for similar supernatural martial arts films moving into the 1990s.
7 Dragons Forever (1988)
Starring Jackie Chan And Sammo Hung
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Dragons Forever (1988) ActionComedy
Dragons Forever is a Hong Kong martial arts film starring Jackie Chan, Sammo Hung, and Yuen Biao. Released in 1988, it follows three friends who become entangled with a female environmentalist’s crusade against a factory polluting the water. The film is notable for its blend of action, comedy, and well-choreographed martial arts sequences.
Director Sammo Kam-Bo Hung , Corey Yuen Release Date February 18, 1988 Writers Gordon Chan , Yiu-Ming Leung , Cheuk-Hon Szeto Cast Jackie Chan , Sammo Hung , Yuen Biao , Deanie Ip , Pauline Yeung Bo-Ling , Yuen Wah Runtime 102 Minutes Main Genre Action Expand
Hung, teaming up with the always legendary combination of himself, Jackie Chan, and Yuen Biao, creates a masterpiece of fast-paced, high-octane action comedy. Chan plays a gritty lawyer tasked with sabotaging a fishery owner’s case against a well-known drug kingpin. He gets help from Hung and Biao, who play an eccentric arms dealer and analytics surveillance expert, who combine to complete the mission while also getting on each other’s nerves in a hilarious and high-energy film.
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The chemistry between the iconic trio known collectively as ‘The Three Brothers’ is at an all-time high in this 1988 classic. The action scenes are memorable, as are the comedic moments, showcased perfectly together in the scene where Chan is attempting to woo an attractive environmentalist in his home as Hung and Biao fight viciously in the apartment bedroom. The three play off each other both in their actions, and their words, and the intricate balance of slapstick, humor, and the interesting narrative is expertly directed by Hung and Corey Yuen.
6 IP Man 2 (2010)
Starring Donnie Yen And Sammo Hung
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Ip Man 2 RActionBiographyDrama
Ip Man 2, directed by Wilson Yip, follows kung fu master Ip Man as he relocates to post-war Hong Kong. Seeking to establish his Wing Chun school, he faces challenges from local martial arts masters, including Hung Gar master Hung Quan, as he tries to teach the troubled youth.
Director Wilson Yip Release Date April 29, 2010 Writers Tai-Lee Chan , Hiu-Yan Choi , David Tadman , Edmond Wong Cast Donnie Yen , Lynn Hung , Simon Yam , Sammo Hung Kam-Bo , Xiaoming Huang , Siu-Wong Fan Runtime 108 Minutes Main Genre Action Expand
In Hong Kong, biographical smash hit movie IP Man 2, Hung plays the part of aging Hung Gar master Hung Chun-nam, who suffers from bouts of asthma. Set in the 50s, the film follows IP Man (Donnie Yen), a grandmaster of the martial art Wing Chun, as he aims to build and run a school in this discipline before running into conflict with rival martial arts masters bent on taking him down and destroying his school, including Hung and then later, boxing champion Taylor ‘The Twister’ Miller.
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The 10 Best Sammo Hung Films On This List: |
IMDb Rating: |
|---|---|
|
Eastern Condors (1984) |
7.0/10 |
|
Knockabout (1979) |
7.2/10 |
|
Encounters Of The Spooky Kind (1988) |
7.0/10 |
|
Dragons Forever (1988) |
7.1/10 |
|
IP Man 2 (2010) |
7.5/10 |
|
Project A (1983) |
7.2/10 |
|
Painted Faces (1988) |
7.2/10 |
|
Warriors Two (1978) |
7.2/10 |
|
Pedicab Driver (1989) |
7.4/10 |
|
The Prodigal Son (1981) |
7.3/10 |
Hung’s role is expertly played, going from stranger to adversary to mentor, all while electrifying the screen with his chemistry with Yen. The ‘tabletop’ fight scene during the early part of the film is one of the most detailed and intricate battles in all of kung fu cinema, with the two squaring off on the small confines of a loose tabletop, balancing and connecting through intimate violence. The two share a commanding presence, and though Hung wasn’t the lead, his role is one of his finest and continues to cement him as one of the greats of martial arts cinema.
5 Project A (1983)
Starring Jackie Chan And Sammo Hung
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Project A PG-13ActionComedy
Project A is an action martial arts film starring Jackie Chan. Set in the early 20th century, the film follows a coast guard officer who battles pirates off the coast of Hong Kong. The movie remains one of the most popular films that brought Jackie Chan into the mainstream.
Director Jackie Chan Release Date December 22, 1983 Studio(s) Golden Harvest , Paragon Films Ltd. Writers Jackie Chan , Edward Tang Cast Jackie Chan , Sammo Hung , Yuen Biao , Dick Wei Runtime 106 minutes Main Genre Action Expand
Project A is another lethal combination of ‘The Three Brothers’ where they again combine to produce another award-winning comedy martial arts film. This follows the story of the three, as they are intertwined in a dispute and war between the Coast Guards and the local police force regarding pirates attacking ships and illegal gun thefts and sales, which are fueling the operation. The trio team up to retrieve the rifles and help save the British Admiral and his family, producing an expansive narrative that gives them room to flourish and show their skills in multiple departments.
Jackie Chan chose the name
Project A
for this film, as he felt like other films he starred in, like
Drunken Master
, gave away the film’s plot and fighting style before people saw the film, so a bland name like Project A would keep it a secret.
The film is full of high-energy and even higher-risk stunts that have been the calling card of Chan, Hung and Biao. The film is most broadly known for Chan’s ‘clock tower fall’, which involved Chan falling some 60 feet (18m) high, smashing through canopies on the way down before colliding with the ground. (infamously, a take he completed three times). When the three get together, it feels like magic happens, and they try to push boundaries, both with their stories, characters, and physical as well, with all involved in some brutal yet comic action sequences.
4 Painted Faces (1988)
Starring Sammo Hung And Lam Ching-Ying
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In this biographical drama, Sammo Hung stars as Master Yu Jim-yuen of the China Drama Academy, a small Peking opera school in Hong Kong, home to the likes of future icons like Chan, Hung, Biao, and Corey Yuen. The film focuses on the strict and brutal yet fair and caring master that provides a look at the intense training needed to become a martial artist and actor. The film is a fascinating insight into the multiple disciplines and the grueling work required by those who want to achieve more and become international film stars.
The film does feel like an intimate and honest portrayal, as Hung himself was a student of the Master and completed the training himself, so the acting and martial arts skills he is showing in this film are partly or mostly down to the person behind the role he has masterfully adopted. Hung won a second Hong Kong Film Award for Best Actor for his performance, and while the training and action sequences are still intricate and well-executed, it is Hung’s subtle and genuine portrayal of his old master that really elevates this film to one of his best.
3 Warriors Two (1978)
Starring Bryan Leung And Sammo Hung
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In this traditional yet offbeat classic kung fu movie, the story follows that of Cashier Hua (Casanova Wong), who works at a local bank before he is thrust into a complicated story involving a would-be assassination of the town mayor and a gang looking to overthrow the regime and take over. Cashier, with the help of his friend (Hung) decides to visit the local Wing Chun master in order to be trained and learn the skills needed to defeat his enemies. A classic trope in kung fu cinema that is elevated by the acting and genuine skills in the combat sequences.
Despite the name of the film,
Warriors Two
, this isn’t a sequel, it simply refers to the two main characters of the film.
Warriors Two is known primarily for its Wing Chun portrayal, being seen as one of the best and most accurate forms ever created in film. Sammo Hung is all over this film, having written, directed, and starred in it, and it’s noticeable through its comedy, over-the-top character, and slapstick (yet genuinely brilliant) action scenes. In one of his finest comedy roles, Hung declares after killing an opponent: “Don’t even think about haunting me, or I’ll beat you to death again! A fantastic kung fu comedy that has every hallmark of Hung’s now infamous style.
2 Pedicab Driver (1989)
Starring Sammo Hung And Lau Kar-Leung
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In this 1989 kung fu comedy, Lo Tung (Sammo Hung) plays the leader of a crew of bicycle rickshaw drivers in 1930s Macau. Tung and his friend Malted Candy fall for different women, one a baker and one a prostitute, both of whom work under horrid and cruel bosses, and they must find a way to free them from their clutches and win their hearts. The film is perfectly paced and edited, with all action sequences feeling important and violent, and infused with comedic moments in a gripping style that Hung has truly made his own.
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With a 94% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the main highlight of Pedicab Driver is definitely the variety of combat scenes, with early sequences being more comedic and witty, mid-scenes being technical and beautifully shot, and the ending finales being violent, brutal, and satisfying. Hung continues to take the reins across all aspects of the filmmaking process, and it shows. The scenes are all superbly acted, the editing and pacing are spot-on, and the choreography throughout is entertaining and inventive. This is pretty much Hung at his fluid and technical best, if not for one last film.
1 The Prodigal Son (1981)
Starring Yuen Biao And Lam Ching-Ying
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The Prodigal Son RActionAdventureComedy
The Prodigal Son is a Hong Kong martial arts film directed by Sammo Hung, featuring Yuen Biao in a story about a privileged young man who learns the truth about the origins of his martial arts prowess and seeks to understand it better by training with legendary Wing Chun master.
Director Sammo Hung Release Date January 1, 1981 Studio(s) Golden Harvest Writers Sammo Hung Cast Sammo Hung , Lam Ching-ying , Yuen Biao , Billy Chan Runtime 100 minutes Main Genre Action Expand
In one of the best martial arts films ever created, The Prodigal Son tells the tale of the son of a wealthy man who has a middling interest in martial arts. It’s only until he discovers his father has been paying his opponents to lose to him that he truly realizes his laziness and humiliation and decides to take his martial arts journey more seriously by seeking out a master of Wing Chun to teach him all he knows and finally show himself and his father his talent and skills.
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While in a minor acting role, it can only ever be described as a Sammo Hung film as he once again writes, directs, and acts in this classic masterpiece. The lead characters all play their part expertly. The classic training sequences are all perfectly paced, the character arcs are truly compelling, and Hung’s character provides the film with further depth and grounding. The Wing Chun is expertly conveyed on film and everything that Hung touched in this film turned to gold, making it not just the best Sammo Hung film but one of the best martial arts of all time.