When it comes to naming films that are the golden standard of martial arts, none nearly comes close toEnter the Dragon. The American-Hong Kong co-production rocked the world in 1973 with its bold, flashy, espionage storyline paired with the legendaryBruce Lee’s jaw-dropping action choreography.The iconic kung fu movie, one of the greatest of all time, left a profound impact on cinema and paved the way for another “tournament-style” martial arts flick five years later.
Golden Harvest’sEnter the Dragonis focused on three different fighters who compete on the private island of the notorious crime boss Han (Shih Kien). Similarly, the 1978 Shaw Brothers Studio film,Heroes of the East, takes a jab at the competition element by pitting its protagonist against an intimidating lineup of Japanese martial arts masters.This Shaw Brothers underrated classic, directed byLau Kar-Leungand starringGordon Liu,is an essential watch that offers a refreshing spin on combat, cultural differences, and philosophical respect between different fighting styles.
‘Heroes of the East’ Is a Rare Kung Fu Film That Respectfully Portrays Chinese and Japanese Martial Arts
For fans of Bruce Lee’s electric fighting style,Heroes of the Eastis a close second.Up there with other classics likeThe 36th Chamber of ShaolinandFist of The White Lotus, the Hong Kong film was directed by the renowned Lau Kar-Leung, who ambitiously sought to positively portray Japanese and Chinese martial arts. Unlike the espionage and high-stakes seen inEnter the Dragon, the story presents a more personal conflict rooted in an intercultural marriage.
The film follows Gordon Liu’s character, Ho Tao, a Chinese kung fu student who is arranged to marry Yumiko Kōda (Yuka Mizuno), a Japanese woman trained in her homeland’s martial arts traditions. What begins as a marriage of convenience soon turns into an escalating battle of cultural misunderstandings. For instance, Yumiko challenges Ho Tao’s belief inthe superiority of Chinese kung fu. However, rather than accepting their differences, the couple fight so much that the wife returns to Japan.
In a drunken effort to win her back, the husband writes a challenge letter which states he will admit defeat if any Japanese martial artist can beat him.Thus, triggering an international showdown between Ho Tao and Yumiko’s former instructors who arrive from Japan to test Ho Tao’s skills.Heroes of the Eastbecomes a series of duels where various Chinese and Japanese fighting styles clash, avoiding the typical stereotyping of Japanese characters as villains. Each battle is extraordinarily choreographed and the fights are shown as respectful exchanges rather than battles to the death. The movie even pays homage toBruce Lee’s signature nunchuk fighting style.
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Gordon Liu Is Just as Magnetic as Bruce Lee in ‘Heroes of the East’
Lau Kar-Leung was one of the most influential directors in Hong Kong cinemaknown for his realistic approach to choreography. WithHeroes of the East, he risked making a film that could be seen as unashamedly pro-China, but the outcome was quite the opposite. Lau insisted that none of the fights in the movie end in death — a striking choice given that many films of the era were overtly anti-Japanese. Instead, the film emphasizes discipline and honor, values that rising star Gordon Liu embodied with flying colors.
While Bruce Lee’s magnetic charisma and fighting stamina are unmatched in martial arts cinema, Gordon Liu is an equally eclectic actor who mesmerizes with his effortless fluidity. Liu, who would later gain global fame forThe 36th Chamber of Shaolin,brings a balance of humility to Ho Tao’s kung fu where Bruce Lee has an almost animalistic presence inEnter the Dragon. Liu plays a more restrained, respectful martial artist who approaches each fight as an opportunity to learn and prove his worth. His performance adds depth to the film’s theme of cultural understanding.
Despite its obvious brilliance,Heroes of the Easthas long been overshadowed by more action-heavy martial arts films of its time. Although, the Shaw Brothers classic remains one of the most culturally appropriate and technically impressive kung fu films in the studio’s filmography. It serves as a bridge between the traditional and the old-school style of martial arts and explosive, adrenaline-fueled action. Featuring drunken boxing, ninjutsu, Shaolin techniques,Lau Kar-Leung’s fast-paced directing is consistently phenomenal, every bit as exciting as the next. Tragically underrated, this kung fu masterpiece celebrates martial arts in all forms and is pure kinetic entertainment.
