Amazing Masters of Martial Arts (1985) - full transcript
A showcase of fight sequences featuring many of the world's best-known practitioners of the martial arts, including Sonny Chiba, Bruce Lei, and Carter Wong.
( slow music plays )
( blades zinging )
( slow music plays )
The martial arts,
the balance of mind and body,
the art of motion,
strength, discipline.
How old do you think
the martial arts are?
40, 50, 100 years old?
How about as far back
as the year 200 BC?
And the martial arts were
not only practiced by Chinese
and Japanese cultures,
but even by the Romans.
It was in the year 400 BC
that a fight was described
as being won by one blow,
a blow from a man who used
a spear-like hand
to penetrate the side
of his opponent.
That style of fighting
may have very well been
the beginning of what we
now call karate,
just one of many styles
of martial arts.
It was in the late 1920s,
a mere 20 years or so
after the birth of the cinema,
that the martial arts
found their way up
onto the silver screen
in a film entitled
"The Burning of the Red Lotus."
In the years to follow,
literally millions of feet
of celluloid have been devoted
to the martial arts,
films as diverse
as a samurai
roving the wastelands
of an ancient China,
or the sweeping canvas
of a period film
replete with elaborate costumes
and ornate sets.
Now at first,
traditional styles of fighting
were pretty much what you saw
onscreen,
but in time,
a wonderful permutation
that included elements of ballet
and incredible acrobatic stunts,
complete with intricate
and precisely timed movements.
It wasn't long before
the martial arts movie
was off and running with
its exaggerated sound effects,
its larger-than-life heroes,
the martial arts movie
has become
an intoxicating mixture
of excitement and action.
Action-- perhaps
the most important element
in all these films,
those blazing fists of fury,
those spinning,
chopping dynamos that at times
seem to define gravity.
Whether it's the swift sword
of a samurai
or the cunning stalk of ninja,
the martial art movie
has plenty of action.
So sit back and let us take you
on a ride,
a ride with
the "Amazing Masters
of the Martial Arts."
( snarling )
( screams )
( music plays )
( screaming, grunting )
( music plays )
( yells )
( grunts )
( music plays )
( music ends )
( wind howling )
( creaking )
( dog barking )
Howard:
The one element
of the martial arts film
that separates it
from almost all others
is the importance
of one's fighting ability.
The fascination
is almost primordial.
The warrior,
sometimes a man with no past,
a man with no name,
finds himself in a situation
whereby he must fight
against great odds
having only to rely on
his own spiritual
and physical abilities
to survive
and endure the obstacles
that lie ahead.
In this film,
Sonny Chiba is one such man,
one such karate warrior.
Are you a tramp?
Why don't you and I
be friends, huh? Hmm?
No.
Aw, now, kid.
Come on, kid.
Get the kid!
( man screams )
( glass shatters )
Howard:
With his rough and tough
street-brawling
style of fighting,
Sonny Chiba is certainly
the essence
of the karate warrior.
( skidding )
Hey! Watch out!
Where'd you learn
to drive?
Howard:
The samurai,
a sword-toting fighter
steeped in Japanese tradition,
perhaps the quintessential
warrior.
In the movies, the samurai
is depicted in many ways,
but the classic style,
the supreme confidence
to survive against
the great odds
that invariably test
his fighting ability,
are always there.
Here!
The samurai is coming!
Howard:
The samurai,
much like the gunfighters
of the Old West,
roamed the land,
their honor intact,
their razor-like swords
ever-ready.
Man:
Don't come any closer.
( sword swooshing )
( groans )
Stay right there.
I'll chop
if you don't.
( screams )
( shouts )
-
( wood clatters )
- ( screams )
Howard:
Not all martial artists
are soldiers of fortune.
Some seek out injustice
for noble or spiritual reasons,
and some for what
is a common theme
of the martial arts movie--
revenge.
And what do
you
want?
You killed my father
at Yi Wu village
over 20 years ago.
What?
You bastards
are all bloody murderers.
( sword swooshing )
( swords swooshing )
( blades clanking )
Howard:
In the film
"The Dragon Princess,"
Sue Shiomi,
one of the leading women
in the martial arts movies,
is thrown into the battlefield
of the martial arts
after her father
is brutally beaten
by a group of rival warriors.
I swear...
I'll avenge you.
I promise.
On my life.
Howard:
After her father's death,
she becomes the sole heir
to restore his honor.
In this scene, she uses
cunning resourcefulness
as she confronts
one of her father's murderers,
a blind but vicious warrior.
( bells jingling )
( wind whistling )
( jingling intensifies )
( screams )
( jingling continues )
( jingling stops )
( screams )
( nunchakus whooshing )
( both shout )
( groaning )
( music plays )
Howard:
To develop the
extraordinary control
of mind and body,
the martial artist
must commit to years
of conditioning
and training.
Starting with the basic
eye-hand coordination,
the martial artist
learns to center
and focus his energy so that
it can be used for movement.
( music continues )
( music ends )
Howard:
The physical traits
of a kung fu master
are different from those
of a samurai or a ninja.
Each develop strengths from
a different part of the body,
and each utilize different
breathing methods
and movement exercises
known as
katas.
( teacher grunting )
Howard:
Each form has
a universal goal--
the need
for total concentration
and precision timing,
the very attributes
that underline
the well-conditioned,
well-disciplined athlete.
( slow music plays )
( sword rattles )
( grunts )
( all grunt )
( grunting, screaming )
Howard:
From the
rigorous training sessions
to feats of strength,
men and women
all over the world,
whether they be
martial artists or not,
are constantly testing
their mind and body control.
In an exhibition hall
in China,
men and women display
some of their talents.
( music plays )
Howard:
Perhaps one aspect
of the martial arts
that most people
bring to mind is the ability
to break objects,
a cinderblock
with a chop of the fists
or a two-inch-thick board
with the butt of the forehead,
just about anything with just
about any part of the body.
And here again
is Togo the Great,
master of karate.
( dramatic music plays )
( grunts )
( applause )
Show host:
...turns their hand
into almost an ax or a hatchet.
The edge of the hand
is calloused and hard.
This is a granite rock,
not any prop rock at all.
-( applause )
-Look at that.
This is painful to watch.
Even the toes
are used as a weapon.
( grunts )
( applause )
And that slashing side
of the hand.
( applause )
Of course force enough
to break a man's neck.
And now two boards
in thickness.
The fist is a battering ram.
( applause )
Even the head.
The training, almost...
battering ram here.
Watch.
( grunts )
( applause )
Togo the Great
giving a live demonstration
from an early TV show,
and it was television
that really introduced
the martial arts
to the mainstream
American audience.
Though the martial artist
was used in supporting roles
with not much opportunity
to showcase his ability,
an audience, however small,
had begun to take notice.
From the simple notion
that a man could break a board
with his bare fist
to the breathtaking displays
of showmanship,
the martial artist embodies
precision and power.
Their seemingly effortless
flips and leaps you watch
are the results of years
of training and conditioning.
They are both skilled martial
artists and incredible acrobats,
capable of feats that would test
the world's best gymnasts.
Like the skyhook
of a Kareem Abdul Jabbar
or the leap of Nureyev,
the martial artist
has his own style,
his own signature.
No better has this poetry
in motion and exemplified
than in the movies.
( music plays )
Howard:
From the solid foundation
of traditional
martial art forms,
the movies gave birth to these
wonderful permutations,
these supercharged feats
of motion,
but at the same time,
tradition was to be tested
by yet another change.
( yelps )
Howard;
The notion
of the typically soft-spoken,
subservient woman was to end.
The dramatic presence
of women
in the martial arts
had arrived.
( "Karate Man" by
Crack Master Bones plays )
♪ Living in the world
of the silver screen ♪
♪ Sitting in a wall seat
where I can hardly be seen ♪
♪ Checking out the action
before me ♪
♪ It's the bald-head Mo
versus Lee number three ♪
♪ When the show was over,
I'm on the street ♪
♪ Hit the Mickey D's
and get something to eat ♪
♪ The place is filled
to the brim ♪
♪ I ain't scared at all,
I ain't worried about them ♪
♪ I'm Karate Man,
hi-yah! ♪
♪ ( grunting )
Men:
( echoing )
♪ Karate Man!
♪ Karate Man!
♪ Karate Man!
♪ I get in a jam,
I stand my ground ♪
♪ And not saying a word,
and not making a sound ♪
♪ Surrounded by numbers
many more than me, ♪
♪ I'm like Kwai Chang Caine
on my color TV ♪
♪ A blur of motion,
a painful yell ♪
♪ A pinpoint punch
packing power like a nail ♪
♪ On pressure points
and broken bones ♪
♪ Half of which were all
my own ♪
♪ Karate Man
♪ Hah!
♪ ( grunting )
( echoing )
♪ Karate Man!
( echoing )
♪ Karate Man!
( song fades )
Howard:
Lacking
in the muscular development
that the men possessed,
women often used
more ballet-like movements
in their fight sequences.
( yipping, grunting )
Howard:
One thing
was certain, though--
women were capable fighters,
able to take on
the great challenges.
They also personified many
aspects of the martial arts--
the beautiful but deadly,
the graceful leaping.
And the crushing force
of a fist.
Damn you!
( groans )
Women were a welcomed addition
to the martial art film.
Weapons--
the martial artist
has a wide variety
in his arsenal.
Here, Carter Wong,
Grand Master
of yan ji pai style
and one of his students
display a routine
with double hooks
and butterfly knives.
( shouts )
( grunting )
( exhales forcefully )
Howard:
Martial art weapons
range from the simple
to the exotic.
Take for example
the simple wooden pole.
With the right technique,
it can be a lethal weapon.
( painful grunting )
I'm...
I'm so sorry.
You bloody
old fool!
( groans )
Get him!
( grunting, groaning )
( pole swooshing )
Howard:
With its alluring beauty,
the fan
is another deceptive weapon.
Having steel rods
in its ribbing,
one well-placed blow
could render a man unconscious.
Here, Carter Wong,
the Grand Master
of the yan ji pai style,
displays his graceful ability
with weaponry.
( music plays )
The traditional use of weapons
is yet another example
of the martial arts that have
spring boarded into the movies.
Weapons have been incorporated
into fantastic expressions
of grace and action,
and supercharged scenes
of kinetic energy
are testimonies
to the martial artist's power
and creative intensity.
The martial art movie
is similar to the Western
or the adventure film
in so much to say
that there are films,
and then there are classics,
those memorable moments when
one man stands against another,
when our hero is either
victorious or immortalized
in his brave pursuit
of justice, honor,
and often love.
But like so many films,
different aspects of action
are woven into the plots
to create yet another dimension
of excitement.
Today, some of the
martial art films being produced
use chase scenes,
gimmicks, and often comedy.
These mixtures are far
from a traditional approach
but one that is
by no means less exciting.
( men shouting )
Get him!
Come on!
- Sir, run!
-Look out!
-Get him!
-Come on!
-Hey!
-Hey!
Stop him!
( yells )
Howard:
What would an action movie be
without gimmicks and comedy
to help set up the fighting
and stunts?
The martial art movie
has both.
( yells )
( whimpering )
Huh?
( whimpering )
What happened?
You couldn't
do it.
Take it down
and have a look
at it.
( laughter )
Oh, it's hot.
Howard:
Here, Bruce Lei
shows us his comedic style,
which, as you'll see,
takes nothing away
from his fighting ability.
You there.
Huh?
Where are you from?
Well, where do you think?
Huh?
What's that?
I just asked you
where you come from.
Stupid fool.
Stupid fool?
Only a stupid fool would
call someone a stupid fool.
Are you an imbecile?
I find that
very insulting!
Do you want
to die?
Sir, do you
wanna fight?
I'll gladly fight you.
- Come on then!
- Wah!
( chuckles softly )
( grunting )
Christ, that's hot!
Yeah, that's really hot!
( grunting, groaning )
( grunting )
Ah! Ow!
( whimpering )
( yells )
Ohh!
( both shouting,
grunting )
Goodbye.
Huh? Hey! Hey!
Untie me!
Hey! Hey!
Untie me first!
Bye!
Come back!
Hey! Hey!
Hey!
Hey, come back!
( cane tapping )
Howard:
Whether it be
comedy or suspense,
the artful use of deception,
or a tense cat-and-mouse game,
the martial artist
must stand ready,
his reflexes sharp,
his fighting fierce.
Though there are numerable
one-on-one confrontations
in the martial arts,
often,
the warrior finds himself
up against great odds.
One-on-one
is hardly a challenge
for the martial arts warrior.
It takes five, six,
and sometimes more opponents
to test his abilities.
Huh?
( blades swooshing )
You coward.
( vocalizing )
( music plays )
She's just gone to bed.
Don't worry.
Howard:
Jimmy Wang Yu,
perhaps the biggest martial
arts movie star
before Bruce Lee
came onto the scene.
In this film, he faces
seemingly insurmountable odds.
Portraying
a one-time karate champion
who now refuses
to fight anymore,
he falls in love with a woman
who comes to him for help,
help that would avenge
her father's murder.
Come on!
Though he is taunted
and often tested,
he cannot fight.
Why don't you help us?
We fight for justice.
Before my father died,
he asked me
not to kill
anymore.
I must
remember this.
Howard:
But when violence
comes to his own home,
his own mother,
the warrior rises up in him.
It's me!
Mother!
Howard:
There will be no stopping
Jimmy Wang Yu
until he avenges
his mother's death.
Someone will have to pay,
whether it's one man...
or a hundred.
Man: He's surrounded.
He's finished.
Hey, listen!
He's the one boss
wants to get!
Don't let him get away!
Come on!
( all shouting and grunting )
You killed my mother!
You'll pay with your blood!
Both:
Ahhhh!
( whimpering )
( groaning )
( music plays )
Well, one thing
about the martial arts
I guess we can all agree on
is that they're pretty amazing.
Those men and women
who hold tradition in one hand
and showmanship in the other,
for them,
no challenge is too great,
no feat too amazing.
So the next time you think
about the martial arts,
your mind may wander from
grandmasters to movie stars,
from the serious
to the fantastic,
but hopefully,
the one impression
that the "Amazing Masters
of the Martial Arts"
leaves you with is fun,
that irresistible urge
to grin and say,
"Hey, I like this."
( dance beat plays )
( dance beat fades )
( suspenseful music plays )
( dance beat plays )
Man talking to the beat:
Now they came from a land
from long ago.
And they used their hands
in deadly blows.
Some people call it karate.
Some call it kung fu.
The art of motion,
the masters.
With blazing fists of fury
and death-defying leaps,
the martial arts masters
did superhuman feats.
Ah, they right the wrongs,
the samurai,
the ninjas,
karate warriors.
With swords and stars,
flips and kicks,
they slice through the air
with their bag of tricks
Now there's the dragon,
the tiger,
the snake, and the claw,
the cobra, the mantis,
the five fingers of death.
Don't mess with no ninja.
It's no contest.
Now they came
from a land long ago.
And they used their hands
in deadly blows.
It has many names,
but it's all the same.
It's action-packed,
and that's the name
of the game.
Don't mess with no ninja.
It's no contest.
It's no contest.
No contest.
No contest.
( music continues )
( blades zinging )
( slow music plays )
The martial arts,
the balance of mind and body,
the art of motion,
strength, discipline.
How old do you think
the martial arts are?
40, 50, 100 years old?
How about as far back
as the year 200 BC?
And the martial arts were
not only practiced by Chinese
and Japanese cultures,
but even by the Romans.
It was in the year 400 BC
that a fight was described
as being won by one blow,
a blow from a man who used
a spear-like hand
to penetrate the side
of his opponent.
That style of fighting
may have very well been
the beginning of what we
now call karate,
just one of many styles
of martial arts.
It was in the late 1920s,
a mere 20 years or so
after the birth of the cinema,
that the martial arts
found their way up
onto the silver screen
in a film entitled
"The Burning of the Red Lotus."
In the years to follow,
literally millions of feet
of celluloid have been devoted
to the martial arts,
films as diverse
as a samurai
roving the wastelands
of an ancient China,
or the sweeping canvas
of a period film
replete with elaborate costumes
and ornate sets.
Now at first,
traditional styles of fighting
were pretty much what you saw
onscreen,
but in time,
a wonderful permutation
that included elements of ballet
and incredible acrobatic stunts,
complete with intricate
and precisely timed movements.
It wasn't long before
the martial arts movie
was off and running with
its exaggerated sound effects,
its larger-than-life heroes,
the martial arts movie
has become
an intoxicating mixture
of excitement and action.
Action-- perhaps
the most important element
in all these films,
those blazing fists of fury,
those spinning,
chopping dynamos that at times
seem to define gravity.
Whether it's the swift sword
of a samurai
or the cunning stalk of ninja,
the martial art movie
has plenty of action.
So sit back and let us take you
on a ride,
a ride with
the "Amazing Masters
of the Martial Arts."
( snarling )
( screams )
( music plays )
( screaming, grunting )
( music plays )
( yells )
( grunts )
( music plays )
( music ends )
( wind howling )
( creaking )
( dog barking )
Howard:
The one element
of the martial arts film
that separates it
from almost all others
is the importance
of one's fighting ability.
The fascination
is almost primordial.
The warrior,
sometimes a man with no past,
a man with no name,
finds himself in a situation
whereby he must fight
against great odds
having only to rely on
his own spiritual
and physical abilities
to survive
and endure the obstacles
that lie ahead.
In this film,
Sonny Chiba is one such man,
one such karate warrior.
Are you a tramp?
Why don't you and I
be friends, huh? Hmm?
No.
Aw, now, kid.
Come on, kid.
Get the kid!
( man screams )
( glass shatters )
Howard:
With his rough and tough
street-brawling
style of fighting,
Sonny Chiba is certainly
the essence
of the karate warrior.
( skidding )
Hey! Watch out!
Where'd you learn
to drive?
Howard:
The samurai,
a sword-toting fighter
steeped in Japanese tradition,
perhaps the quintessential
warrior.
In the movies, the samurai
is depicted in many ways,
but the classic style,
the supreme confidence
to survive against
the great odds
that invariably test
his fighting ability,
are always there.
Here!
The samurai is coming!
Howard:
The samurai,
much like the gunfighters
of the Old West,
roamed the land,
their honor intact,
their razor-like swords
ever-ready.
Man:
Don't come any closer.
( sword swooshing )
( groans )
Stay right there.
I'll chop
if you don't.
( screams )
( shouts )
-
( wood clatters )
- ( screams )
Howard:
Not all martial artists
are soldiers of fortune.
Some seek out injustice
for noble or spiritual reasons,
and some for what
is a common theme
of the martial arts movie--
revenge.
And what do
you
want?
You killed my father
at Yi Wu village
over 20 years ago.
What?
You bastards
are all bloody murderers.
( sword swooshing )
( swords swooshing )
( blades clanking )
Howard:
In the film
"The Dragon Princess,"
Sue Shiomi,
one of the leading women
in the martial arts movies,
is thrown into the battlefield
of the martial arts
after her father
is brutally beaten
by a group of rival warriors.
I swear...
I'll avenge you.
I promise.
On my life.
Howard:
After her father's death,
she becomes the sole heir
to restore his honor.
In this scene, she uses
cunning resourcefulness
as she confronts
one of her father's murderers,
a blind but vicious warrior.
( bells jingling )
( wind whistling )
( jingling intensifies )
( screams )
( jingling continues )
( jingling stops )
( screams )
( nunchakus whooshing )
( both shout )
( groaning )
( music plays )
Howard:
To develop the
extraordinary control
of mind and body,
the martial artist
must commit to years
of conditioning
and training.
Starting with the basic
eye-hand coordination,
the martial artist
learns to center
and focus his energy so that
it can be used for movement.
( music continues )
( music ends )
Howard:
The physical traits
of a kung fu master
are different from those
of a samurai or a ninja.
Each develop strengths from
a different part of the body,
and each utilize different
breathing methods
and movement exercises
known as
katas.
( teacher grunting )
Howard:
Each form has
a universal goal--
the need
for total concentration
and precision timing,
the very attributes
that underline
the well-conditioned,
well-disciplined athlete.
( slow music plays )
( sword rattles )
( grunts )
( all grunt )
( grunting, screaming )
Howard:
From the
rigorous training sessions
to feats of strength,
men and women
all over the world,
whether they be
martial artists or not,
are constantly testing
their mind and body control.
In an exhibition hall
in China,
men and women display
some of their talents.
( music plays )
Howard:
Perhaps one aspect
of the martial arts
that most people
bring to mind is the ability
to break objects,
a cinderblock
with a chop of the fists
or a two-inch-thick board
with the butt of the forehead,
just about anything with just
about any part of the body.
And here again
is Togo the Great,
master of karate.
( dramatic music plays )
( grunts )
( applause )
Show host:
...turns their hand
into almost an ax or a hatchet.
The edge of the hand
is calloused and hard.
This is a granite rock,
not any prop rock at all.
-( applause )
-Look at that.
This is painful to watch.
Even the toes
are used as a weapon.
( grunts )
( applause )
And that slashing side
of the hand.
( applause )
Of course force enough
to break a man's neck.
And now two boards
in thickness.
The fist is a battering ram.
( applause )
Even the head.
The training, almost...
battering ram here.
Watch.
( grunts )
( applause )
Togo the Great
giving a live demonstration
from an early TV show,
and it was television
that really introduced
the martial arts
to the mainstream
American audience.
Though the martial artist
was used in supporting roles
with not much opportunity
to showcase his ability,
an audience, however small,
had begun to take notice.
From the simple notion
that a man could break a board
with his bare fist
to the breathtaking displays
of showmanship,
the martial artist embodies
precision and power.
Their seemingly effortless
flips and leaps you watch
are the results of years
of training and conditioning.
They are both skilled martial
artists and incredible acrobats,
capable of feats that would test
the world's best gymnasts.
Like the skyhook
of a Kareem Abdul Jabbar
or the leap of Nureyev,
the martial artist
has his own style,
his own signature.
No better has this poetry
in motion and exemplified
than in the movies.
( music plays )
Howard:
From the solid foundation
of traditional
martial art forms,
the movies gave birth to these
wonderful permutations,
these supercharged feats
of motion,
but at the same time,
tradition was to be tested
by yet another change.
( yelps )
Howard;
The notion
of the typically soft-spoken,
subservient woman was to end.
The dramatic presence
of women
in the martial arts
had arrived.
( "Karate Man" by
Crack Master Bones plays )
♪ Living in the world
of the silver screen ♪
♪ Sitting in a wall seat
where I can hardly be seen ♪
♪ Checking out the action
before me ♪
♪ It's the bald-head Mo
versus Lee number three ♪
♪ When the show was over,
I'm on the street ♪
♪ Hit the Mickey D's
and get something to eat ♪
♪ The place is filled
to the brim ♪
♪ I ain't scared at all,
I ain't worried about them ♪
♪ I'm Karate Man,
hi-yah! ♪
♪ ( grunting )
Men:
( echoing )
♪ Karate Man!
♪ Karate Man!
♪ Karate Man!
♪ I get in a jam,
I stand my ground ♪
♪ And not saying a word,
and not making a sound ♪
♪ Surrounded by numbers
many more than me, ♪
♪ I'm like Kwai Chang Caine
on my color TV ♪
♪ A blur of motion,
a painful yell ♪
♪ A pinpoint punch
packing power like a nail ♪
♪ On pressure points
and broken bones ♪
♪ Half of which were all
my own ♪
♪ Karate Man
♪ Hah!
♪ ( grunting )
( echoing )
♪ Karate Man!
( echoing )
♪ Karate Man!
( song fades )
Howard:
Lacking
in the muscular development
that the men possessed,
women often used
more ballet-like movements
in their fight sequences.
( yipping, grunting )
Howard:
One thing
was certain, though--
women were capable fighters,
able to take on
the great challenges.
They also personified many
aspects of the martial arts--
the beautiful but deadly,
the graceful leaping.
And the crushing force
of a fist.
Damn you!
( groans )
Women were a welcomed addition
to the martial art film.
Weapons--
the martial artist
has a wide variety
in his arsenal.
Here, Carter Wong,
Grand Master
of yan ji pai style
and one of his students
display a routine
with double hooks
and butterfly knives.
( shouts )
( grunting )
( exhales forcefully )
Howard:
Martial art weapons
range from the simple
to the exotic.
Take for example
the simple wooden pole.
With the right technique,
it can be a lethal weapon.
( painful grunting )
I'm...
I'm so sorry.
You bloody
old fool!
( groans )
Get him!
( grunting, groaning )
( pole swooshing )
Howard:
With its alluring beauty,
the fan
is another deceptive weapon.
Having steel rods
in its ribbing,
one well-placed blow
could render a man unconscious.
Here, Carter Wong,
the Grand Master
of the yan ji pai style,
displays his graceful ability
with weaponry.
( music plays )
The traditional use of weapons
is yet another example
of the martial arts that have
spring boarded into the movies.
Weapons have been incorporated
into fantastic expressions
of grace and action,
and supercharged scenes
of kinetic energy
are testimonies
to the martial artist's power
and creative intensity.
The martial art movie
is similar to the Western
or the adventure film
in so much to say
that there are films,
and then there are classics,
those memorable moments when
one man stands against another,
when our hero is either
victorious or immortalized
in his brave pursuit
of justice, honor,
and often love.
But like so many films,
different aspects of action
are woven into the plots
to create yet another dimension
of excitement.
Today, some of the
martial art films being produced
use chase scenes,
gimmicks, and often comedy.
These mixtures are far
from a traditional approach
but one that is
by no means less exciting.
( men shouting )
Get him!
Come on!
- Sir, run!
-Look out!
-Get him!
-Come on!
-Hey!
-Hey!
Stop him!
( yells )
Howard:
What would an action movie be
without gimmicks and comedy
to help set up the fighting
and stunts?
The martial art movie
has both.
( yells )
( whimpering )
Huh?
( whimpering )
What happened?
You couldn't
do it.
Take it down
and have a look
at it.
( laughter )
Oh, it's hot.
Howard:
Here, Bruce Lei
shows us his comedic style,
which, as you'll see,
takes nothing away
from his fighting ability.
You there.
Huh?
Where are you from?
Well, where do you think?
Huh?
What's that?
I just asked you
where you come from.
Stupid fool.
Stupid fool?
Only a stupid fool would
call someone a stupid fool.
Are you an imbecile?
I find that
very insulting!
Do you want
to die?
Sir, do you
wanna fight?
I'll gladly fight you.
- Come on then!
- Wah!
( chuckles softly )
( grunting )
Christ, that's hot!
Yeah, that's really hot!
( grunting, groaning )
( grunting )
Ah! Ow!
( whimpering )
( yells )
Ohh!
( both shouting,
grunting )
Goodbye.
Huh? Hey! Hey!
Untie me!
Hey! Hey!
Untie me first!
Bye!
Come back!
Hey! Hey!
Hey!
Hey, come back!
( cane tapping )
Howard:
Whether it be
comedy or suspense,
the artful use of deception,
or a tense cat-and-mouse game,
the martial artist
must stand ready,
his reflexes sharp,
his fighting fierce.
Though there are numerable
one-on-one confrontations
in the martial arts,
often,
the warrior finds himself
up against great odds.
One-on-one
is hardly a challenge
for the martial arts warrior.
It takes five, six,
and sometimes more opponents
to test his abilities.
Huh?
( blades swooshing )
You coward.
( vocalizing )
( music plays )
She's just gone to bed.
Don't worry.
Howard:
Jimmy Wang Yu,
perhaps the biggest martial
arts movie star
before Bruce Lee
came onto the scene.
In this film, he faces
seemingly insurmountable odds.
Portraying
a one-time karate champion
who now refuses
to fight anymore,
he falls in love with a woman
who comes to him for help,
help that would avenge
her father's murder.
Come on!
Though he is taunted
and often tested,
he cannot fight.
Why don't you help us?
We fight for justice.
Before my father died,
he asked me
not to kill
anymore.
I must
remember this.
Howard:
But when violence
comes to his own home,
his own mother,
the warrior rises up in him.
It's me!
Mother!
Howard:
There will be no stopping
Jimmy Wang Yu
until he avenges
his mother's death.
Someone will have to pay,
whether it's one man...
or a hundred.
Man: He's surrounded.
He's finished.
Hey, listen!
He's the one boss
wants to get!
Don't let him get away!
Come on!
( all shouting and grunting )
You killed my mother!
You'll pay with your blood!
Both:
Ahhhh!
( whimpering )
( groaning )
( music plays )
Well, one thing
about the martial arts
I guess we can all agree on
is that they're pretty amazing.
Those men and women
who hold tradition in one hand
and showmanship in the other,
for them,
no challenge is too great,
no feat too amazing.
So the next time you think
about the martial arts,
your mind may wander from
grandmasters to movie stars,
from the serious
to the fantastic,
but hopefully,
the one impression
that the "Amazing Masters
of the Martial Arts"
leaves you with is fun,
that irresistible urge
to grin and say,
"Hey, I like this."
( dance beat plays )
( dance beat fades )
( suspenseful music plays )
( dance beat plays )
Man talking to the beat:
Now they came from a land
from long ago.
And they used their hands
in deadly blows.
Some people call it karate.
Some call it kung fu.
The art of motion,
the masters.
With blazing fists of fury
and death-defying leaps,
the martial arts masters
did superhuman feats.
Ah, they right the wrongs,
the samurai,
the ninjas,
karate warriors.
With swords and stars,
flips and kicks,
they slice through the air
with their bag of tricks
Now there's the dragon,
the tiger,
the snake, and the claw,
the cobra, the mantis,
the five fingers of death.
Don't mess with no ninja.
It's no contest.
Now they came
from a land long ago.
And they used their hands
in deadly blows.
It has many names,
but it's all the same.
It's action-packed,
and that's the name
of the game.
Don't mess with no ninja.
It's no contest.
It's no contest.
No contest.
No contest.
( music continues )