Once Upon a Time in China III | |
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Film poster
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Traditional | 黃飛鴻之三獅王爭霸 |
Simplified | 黄飞鸿之三狮王争霸 |
Mandarin | Huáng Fēihǒng Zhī Sān Shīwáng Zhēngbà |
Cantonese | Wong4 Fei1-hung4 Zi1 Saam1 Si1-wong4 Zaang1-baa3 |
Directed by | Tsui Hark |
Produced by | Tsui Hark Ng See-yuen |
Written by | Tsui Hark Cheung Tan Chan Tin-suen |
Starring |
Jet Li Rosamund Kwan Max Mok Lau Shun |
Music by | William Hu Tsui Hark |
Cinematography |
Andrew Lau Chow Man-keung |
Edited by |
Marco Mak Angie Lam |
Production
company |
Film Workshop
Paragon Films Ltd. |
Distributed by |
Golden Harvest Gala Film Distribution Ltd. |
Release date
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Running time
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105 minutes |
Country | Hong Kong |
Language | Cantonese |
Box office | HK$27,540,561.00 |
Once Upon a Time in China III is a 1993 Hong Kong martial arts film written, produced and directed by Tsui Hark, starring Jet Li as Chinese folk hero Wong Fei-hung. It is the third instalment in the Once Upon a Time in China film series.
The film is set in China in the late 19th century during the Qing dynasty, when Chinese sovereignty is being eroded by foreign imperialism. Empress Dowager Cixi and Li Hongzhang decide to stage a lion dance competition to showcase Chinese martial arts and restore national pride. Interested parties from all over China are invited to participate and compete for the title "Lion Dance King".
Wong Fei-hung travels from Foshan to Beijing with his romantic interest 13th Aunt and apprentice Leung Foon to meet his father, Wong Kei-ying, at the Cantonese Association. At the train station, 13th Aunt meets Tomanovsky, a Russian diplomat, who was her classmate when she was studying in Britain. He starts vying for her attention and annoys Wong, who is disgusted by the Western custom of kissing a woman's hand. When Wong reaches the Cantonese Association, he learns that his father has been attacked by a wealthy rival martial artist, Chiu Tin-bak, and Chiu's henchman, Clubfoot, but sustained only minor injuries. Wong Kei-ying decides to give his blessings to his son and 13th Aunt when he sees they are becoming closer to each other.
Before the competition officially begins, all the lion dance troupes that have gathered in Beijing are already fighting among themselves and holding another competition of their own. Wong does not participate and spectates instead. Unknown to him, Leung and his friend have secretly joined the competition out of mischief. A short chase takes place between Clubfoot and Leung when the latter annoys the former during the contest and flees. Clubfoot's legs are crushed when Leung accidentally releases a stampede of horses from a stable. Chiu abandons Clubfoot when he sees that he is now a useless cripple. Wong takes pity on Clubfoot, brings him in, and heals his legs. Clubfoot is initially hostile towards Wong, but he feels so touched and grateful to Wong that he becomes Wong's new apprentice.