Once Upon a Time in China V
Encyclopedia
Once Upon a Time in China V is a 1994 Hong Kong martial arts action film written and directed by Tsui Hark
. The film is the fifth installment in the Once Upon a Time in China film series, with Vincent Zhao
reprising his role as Chinese folk hero Wong Fei-hung, since taking over the character from Jet Li
in Once Upon a Time in China IV
. The film also saw the return of Rosamund Kwan
as 13th Aunt, who was absent in the fourth film.
occupy Beijing
, the collapse of the Qing Dynasty
is imminent. Wong Fei-hung and his companions return to Fat-san
in southern China and prepare to move to Hong Kong
(then a British colony
). In the meantime, Wong Fei-hung develops a love triangle
with 13th Aunt and 14th Aunt.
When they arrive at the port town, they see that the town is in a desolate state, as the governor had left with all the government funds, leaving the local army garrison without any money or food. The situation worsens with the presence of pirates, who terrorize the coast and cut off the sea route. Wong and his companions decide to form a local crime prevention force to deal with the threats, leading to three confrontations with the pirates and eventual victory for the protagonists. Wong Fei-hung and his family decide to settle in Hong Kong to help the local government maintain peace and security.
, the fifth in the series performed poorly at the Hong Kong box office, grossing only HK$4,902,426.
Tsui Hark
Tsui Hark , born Tsui Man-kong, is a Hong Kong New Wave film director and producer. He is viewed as a major figure in the Golden Age of Hong Kong cinema .-Early life:...
. The film is the fifth installment in the Once Upon a Time in China film series, with Vincent Zhao
Vincent Zhao
Vincent Zhao Wenzhuo , sometimes credited as Chiu Man-cheuk, is a Chinese actor and martial artist. Zhao is best known playing the role of Chinese folk hero Wong Fei-hung in the Once Upon a Time in China film and television series.-Early life:Zhao was born in Harbin, Heilongjiang, China, as the...
reprising his role as Chinese folk hero Wong Fei-hung, since taking over the character from Jet Li
Jet Li
The fame gained by his sports winnings led to a career as a martial arts film star, beginning in mainland China and then continuing into Hong Kong. Li acquired his screen name in 1982 in the Philippines when a publicity company thought his real name was too hard to pronounce...
in Once Upon a Time in China IV
Once Upon a Time in China IV
Once Upon a Time in China IV is a 1993 Hong Kong martial arts action film directed by Yuen Bun and produced by Tsui Hark. The film is the fourth installment the Once Upon a Time in China series...
. The film also saw the return of Rosamund Kwan
Rosamund Kwan
Rosamund Kwan Chi-lam is a Chinese actress born in Hong Kong with ancestry in Shenyang, Liaoning in China on her father's side and from Shanghai on her mother's side. She is the daughter of Shaw Brothers star Kwan Shan and actress Cheung Bing Sai...
as 13th Aunt, who was absent in the fourth film.
Plot
After the armies of the Eight-Nation AllianceEight-Nation Alliance
The Eight-Nation Alliance was an alliance of Austria-Hungary, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States whose military forces intervened in China to suppress the anti-foreign Boxers and relieve the siege of the diplomatic legations in Beijing .- Events :The...
occupy Beijing
Beijing
Beijing , also known as Peking , is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center, and home to the headquarters for most of China's...
, the collapse of the Qing Dynasty
Qing Dynasty
The Qing Dynasty was the last dynasty of China, ruling from 1644 to 1912 with a brief, abortive restoration in 1917. It was preceded by the Ming Dynasty and followed by the Republic of China....
is imminent. Wong Fei-hung and his companions return to Fat-san
Foshan
Foshan is a city in central Guangdong province in southern China. The prefectural area under the city's jurisdiction over an area of about 3,840 km² and a population of 5.4 million of which 1.1 million reside in the city proper ....
in southern China and prepare to move to Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
(then a British colony
British Empire
The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom. It originated with the overseas colonies and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. At its height, it was the...
). In the meantime, Wong Fei-hung develops a love triangle
Love triangle
A love triangle is usually a romantic relationship involving three people. While it can refer to two people independently romantically linked with a third, it usually implies that each of the three people has some kind of relationship to the other two...
with 13th Aunt and 14th Aunt.
When they arrive at the port town, they see that the town is in a desolate state, as the governor had left with all the government funds, leaving the local army garrison without any money or food. The situation worsens with the presence of pirates, who terrorize the coast and cut off the sea route. Wong and his companions decide to form a local crime prevention force to deal with the threats, leading to three confrontations with the pirates and eventual victory for the protagonists. Wong Fei-hung and his family decide to settle in Hong Kong to help the local government maintain peace and security.
Cast
- Vincent ZhaoVincent ZhaoVincent Zhao Wenzhuo , sometimes credited as Chiu Man-cheuk, is a Chinese actor and martial artist. Zhao is best known playing the role of Chinese folk hero Wong Fei-hung in the Once Upon a Time in China film and television series.-Early life:Zhao was born in Harbin, Heilongjiang, China, as the...
as Wong Fei-hung - Rosamund KwanRosamund KwanRosamund Kwan Chi-lam is a Chinese actress born in Hong Kong with ancestry in Shenyang, Liaoning in China on her father's side and from Shanghai on her mother's side. She is the daughter of Shaw Brothers star Kwan Shan and actress Cheung Bing Sai...
as "13th Aunt" Siu-kwan - Max Mok as Leung Foon
- Kent ChengKent ChengKent Cheng Jak-si is a Hong Kong film and television actor. He has won twice the best actor award in the Hong Kong Film Awards.-Biography:...
as "Porky" Wing - Roger KwokRoger KwokRoger Kwok Chun-on is Hong Kong television actor who works on the TV station TVB. Kwok was born in Hong Kong and his native family roots are in Zhongshan, Guangdong...
as "Bucktooth" So - Hung Yan-yan as Clubfoot
- Jean Wang as 14th Aunt
- Lau Shun as Wong Kei-ying
- Tam Bing-man as Boss
- Yee Tin-hung as Devil Cheung
- Elaine Lui as "Single-eyed" Ying
- Zhang TielinZhang TielinZhang Tielin , sometimes credited as Cheung Tit-lam, is a Chinese actor and film director best known for his role as the Qianlong Emperor in the Princess Pearl television series. He took up British citizenship in 1997.-Biography:...
as Chief constable - Stephen Tung as Junior Cheung
- Dion LamDion LamDion Lam Dik-On is a Hong Kong action choreographer and actor.- Filmography :*The Hangman *Energetic 21 *Crazy Blood *Mistaken Identity *The Killer *Ghost Ballroom *Angel Enforcers...
as Flying Monkey - Sam Hoh as pirate
- Lau Siu-ming as pirate
- James WongWong JimJames Wong Jim was a Cantopop lyricist and writer based primarily in Hong Kong. He was also a well known in Asia as a columnist, actor, film director, screenwriter and talk show hosts. He took part in creative directing positions within the entertainment industry in Hong Kong...
- Kong Foo-keung
- Tanigaki Kenji
- Lam Kwok-git
- Cheung Chun-hung
- Ho Chi-moo
Box office
Despite receiving more positive reviews than Once Upon a Time in China IVOnce Upon a Time in China IV
Once Upon a Time in China IV is a 1993 Hong Kong martial arts action film directed by Yuen Bun and produced by Tsui Hark. The film is the fourth installment the Once Upon a Time in China series...
, the fifth in the series performed poorly at the Hong Kong box office, grossing only HK$4,902,426.