The 5: Martial Arts Films That Will Kick Your Ass

This Week on the 5: Martial Arts Movies That You Have to See

There aren’t many things cooler than a martial arts film. The genre has so much great work in it, that it’s almost impossible to see it all. Bruce Lee’s films may be the most well known and celebrated, and with good reason, but there’s so much out there that needs to be seen. We put together  five martial arts films that stand the test of time, and should go on the top of your queue.

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• Killing Machine (1975).  China had Bruce Lee and Japan has Sonny Chiba. A living legend, Chiba made the Killing Machine in 1975. He played a real life martial arts master, Doshin So, who created the art of Shorinji Kempo. It takes places in beat down post World War 2 Japan, where native Japanese are pushed around by Koreans, Americans and anyone else. This doesn’t last for long as Chiba starts a school to teach his form of martial art and doesn’t take shit from anyone.  Ignore the rap music and watch this great scene from Killing Machine on YouTube or scroll below for the video.
• New Fist of Fury (1976).  Before Jackie Chan became known for a martial arts meets comedy style, he was being pushed in China as the new Bruce Lee. New Fist of Fury was his first starring role, it was so early in his career he was using the stage name Sing Lung. Chan fights the Japanese as they’re suppressing the Chinese people and he has to learn Kung Fu to do it. This is a must see for any fan of Jackie Chan’s to see his pure skill in martial arts and how ripped he was back in the day.  Watch the entire movie on YouTube or scroll down below.
• Circle of Iron (1978).   Originally written by Bruce Lee to introduce Eastern philosophy to a western audience. Unfortunately Lee passed away before it could be made. The screenplay was eventually finished and David Carradine was cast to star in the 1978 film. Somewhat of a thinking mans martial arts movie, it got heavy at time in the philosophy of martial arts but it never takes away from the film. Carradine is great as a blind martial arts master guiding another man to a book of wisdom. Christopher Lee and Eli Wallach also show up in the film to add to the great 70s weirdness.  Watch the entire movie on YouTube or scroll down below.
• Shogun Assassin (1980).  You may of never heard of Shogun Assassin, but if you’ve listened to a Wu-Tang Album, you’ll know it immediately. Samples taken from this film are all over GZA’s hip hop classic Liquid Swords. Originally based on the epic Japanese classic Lone Wolf and Cub manga series, Shogun Assassin is two of the Lone Wold stories combined into one film. Roger Corman produced and distributed it in America in 1980. It follows the story of a samurai and his child taking revenge on the evil Yagyu clan who disgraced him. A cult classic if there’s ever been one.  Watch the trailer on YouTube or scroll down to watch it below.
• Ip Man (2008).  The most recent film on this list, Ip Man is a film that was a long time in the making. Based on the life of Yip Man, grandmaster of Wing Chun and master to Bruce lee, Ip man was a huge success in China. It was never released in North America or Europe but absolutely needs to be seen, it’s a instant classic in a time when martial arts films aren’t made like this anymore. Donnie Chen stars as Yip Man, and the guy puts on a show, check out the clip below to see his ridiculous skill.  Watch a great scene on YouTube or scroll down below.

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