Warriors of Virtue | |
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Promotional poster
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Directed by | Ronny Yu |
Produced by | Ronald Law Dennis K. Law Christopher Law Jeremy Law Patricia Ruben |
Screenplay by | Michael Vickerman Hugh Kelley |
Starring | |
Music by | Don Davis |
Cinematography | Peter Pau |
Edited by | David Wu |
Production
company |
China Film Co-Production Corporation
Law Brothers Entertainment |
Distributed by | Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer |
Release date
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Running time
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101 minutes |
Country | United States China |
Budget | $35 million |
Box office | $6,524,620 |
Warriors of Virtue is a 1997 Chinese-American martial arts fantasy film directed by Ronny Yu and starring Angus Macfadyen, Mario Yedidia, and Marley Shelton. It was released in English, Mandarin and Cantonese-language versions. The creature effects were designed by Academy Award-nominated special effect production house Alterian, Inc.
In 2002, a direct-to-video sequel, Warriors of Virtue: The Return to Tao, was released.
Ryan Jeffers suffers a disability to his leg preventing him from trying out for sports and fitting in with other kids at school. He is currently the waterboy of his school's football team and has a crush on quarterback Brad's girlfriend. He often seeks escape through comic books and dreams of adventure, hiding the depression of his disability from his mother Kathryn.
One day, the owner of his favorite restaurant, his friend Ming, gives him a manuscript of Tao representing the five elements: Earth, Fire, Water, Wood and Metal. He advises Ryan to live his life no matter his physical limits. That night, Ryan and his best friend Chucky are approached by Brad and his friends who suggest an initiation for their group. Leading them to a water plant, Ryan is told he needs to cross a narrow pipe in order to sign his name on a wall of graffiti. Ignoring Chucky's protests, Ryan attempts to cross the pipe. During this time, a water pipe opens up and throws Ryan into the water.