Of course, nothing occurs in a vacuum.
By the late 1960s, martial arts were already being taught more widely in the west.
The west was primed and ready for Asian action andKing Boxerbrought the ruckus.
By 1972, theyd finessed the formula and were banging out extraordinarily high quality films.
So what was so special aboutKing Boxer?
With its lurid retitling and marketing campaign (SEE one incredible onslaught after another!
PALE before the forbidden ritual of the Iron Palm!
Hes in love with the masters daughter Ying-Ying (Wang Ping) and everything is tranquil.
The future looks bright and simple.
The film follows Chaos adventures and combines several of the classic martial arts narratives into one.
Theres the tournament plot.
Theres also the student-teacher training plot.
Theres the fish out of water plot, as Chao adjusts to life outside his sheltered upbringing.
It sounds like a lot to take in but it still manages to feel impressively streamlined and economical.
As with many Shaw productions, theres a Shakespearean influence in the structuring of the plot.
WhenKing Boxerreaches its final act the resolution is dramatic and powerful.
This provides a backbone for what the crowd came for: the fighting.
In one climactic scene, a character gets his eyes ripped out by a man hes previously blinded.
80s kids will recognise the glowing hands from Berry Gordys affectionate kung fu tributeThe Last Dragon.
The dialogue has been sampled incessantly by the Wu-Tang Clan.
Edgar Wright claims it as a key influence onScott Pilgrim Vs The World.
Brett Ratners name has been attached to a remake of it since 2016.
Its rightful reputation as a must-see martial arts classic endures.
And if youve not seen it?
What are you waiting for?Its available now on Amazon Primeand other streaming services.
Head toshawbrothersuniverse.comand get started.
