The 1970s represent a sovereign period in the linguistic context of martial arts picture . Although these films were being release as early as the 1920s , this decennary effectively put the music genre on the single-valued function and bring mainstream popularity with some of thebest soldierly arts motion-picture show performances of all fourth dimension . The love for warlike artistry movie house continued in the following year , with hit release likeThe Karate Kid , which made such an impact it warranted aKarate Kidsequel40 years by and by .

Without a doubt , the most legendary anatomy of this full stop was Bruce Lee . As a groundbreaker of cinematic martial arts , Lee ’s performances were so great they produced a new sub - genre cognize asBruceploitation filmsthat were aimed at emulating his style . While he is sure as shooting a household name for this 10 and beyond of warriorlike arts movies , there are several more standout carrying into action from the seventies that majorly affected the music genre .

10Chiang Sheng

Five Deadly Venoms (1978)

Five Deadly Venomsis a certified martial fine art cult Greco-Roman from the 1970s . It was a product of and one of thebest motion picture by the Shaw Brothers Studio , the most acclaimed kung fu production society ever . The film follow the account of a kung fu master on the sceptre of decease who send his last student to track down his five previous schoolchild . Chiang Sheng portrays Yang Tieh , the 6th student , who sets off on a military mission to take on students rumored to be evil .

Cast

There are several noteworthy performance in this film , but Sheng ’s is unparalleled . Although it is a flake campy , the stage dancing behind his fighting technique is well done . Above all , it demonstrates his diversity . Throughout the plot , Sheng has to face off against opponents who all employ unlike animal - based fighting style : The Centipede , the Snake , the Scorpio the Scorpion , the Lizard , and the Toad . As such , he has to adjust his panache to account for the helplessness of his enemy , and it ’s reflected in his combat .

9Chuck Norris

The Way Of The Dragon (1972)

Even the quotation of Chuck Norris ' name is powerful enough to hit care into multitude ’s hearts . He is a honest icon of the writing style and a endure legend in the combat humankind . Even with such an realized career , his other performance alongside Bruce Lee is one of his best . Although it was only his second pic , Norris ' role as Colt inThe agency of the Dragonbrought him onto the martial liberal arts scene .

During his career , Bruce Lee run up against five other martial arts stars on the large screen . Here ’s who they were and which movies they were in .

While Lee was the spectacle of this film , Norris ' bearing stomach out , even with his limited screen time . In one of the most famous showdown in cinematic history , Lee ( Tang Lung ) and Norris ( Colt ) go toe to toe in the Coliseum . During their epical showdown , Norris shows off a variety of impressive moves , solidify his legendary execution . The fight was so iconic that there are speculations on whetherNorris and Lee struggle in real life .

bruce lee jackie chan sammo hung

8Lo Lieh

Executioners From Shaolin (1977)

When it comes to martial arts films from the 1970s , Lo Lieh ’s name comes up a lot . Born in Indonesia and bring up in Hong Kong , Lieh spent years sharpening his fight acquisition . While appeared in many feature films around the decade , includingKing Boxer(1972 ) andClan of the White Lotus(1980),Lieh ’s performance inExecutioners from Shaolintakes the cake .

In the film , Lieh portrays Pai Mei , an evil non-Christian priest who in the end face off against Hong Hsi - Kuan ( Chen Kuan - Tai ) . Without a doubt , Lieh ’s best scene takes place in the last moments of the film . During his competitiveness with Kuan - Tai , his nimbus is unmated . It ’s less about the complexity or speed of his proficiency , but but how unvanquishable Lieh seems . For most of the competitiveness , he forecast his opponent ’s relocation and uses them against him . Even when he is grab in the human face , he is n’t fazed .

7David Chiang

The New One-Armed Swordsman (1971)

David Chiang made a name for himself in the sixty and 70sfor his collaboration with the Shaw Brothers Studio . He is a seasoned martial artist , thespian , and manager , who has carve out a large distance in the overall music genre . He is known for many films , but his presence in theOne - Armed Swordsmanfranchisereigns supreme .

Of the various films , Chiang deliver his most iconic carrying out inThe New One - Armed Swordsman , and it assuredly stands out in the world of martial graphics movies .

In the motion picture , Chiang , playing Lei Li , is out for revenge . After losing his arm early in the film , he carry on throughout the plot , only oppose with one manus . While this is a repeated concept , Chiang execute it the dependable . His functioning seems so raw , it would seem as if he is more in force scrap this way . It is particularly impressive with regard to the play stage dancing , and how Chiang carry it out so masterfully .

Jackie-Chan-as-Wong-Fei-Hung-from-Drunken-Master

6Gordon Liu

The 36th Chamber Of Shaolin (1978)

Gordon Liu is consider one of the most ruthless soldierlike arts flick stars . Although he was already illustrious by the closing of the twentieth 100 , he became even more pop when he present Johnny Mo and Master Pai Mei in theKill Billfranchise . Much earlier , in another quislingism with the Shaw Brothers , Liu does n’t hold back inThe thirty-sixth Chamber of Shaolin .

In the film , Liu ’s grapheme is educate by monks in a Shaolin synagogue , and the program program of his proficiency is unflawed . The fight scenery are n’t too drawn out , andLiu ’s performance offers a more holistic presentation of the kung fu manner . The education scenes are especially captivating , demonstrating how his moves read to real battles . It ’s an excellent film overall and Liu ’s mien only have it good .

5Jackie Chan

Drunken Master (1978)

Jackie Chan , a adult male who needs no introduction , play an vigour to the soldierlike arts genrethat few others could . Although he appeared as a stunt double in collaborations alongside Bruce Lee , he did n’t start star in roles until the late 1970s . Undoubtedly , one of his most impressive performances comes from his portrait of Wong Fei Hung inThe Drunken Master . This pic presents an interesting model for the genre , because it ’s comedic , but his performance is stellar .

Jackie Chan ’s sometime - schooltime kung fu filmography is unrivaled , with such classic as Drunken Master , New Fist Of Fury , and Dragon Fist .

As he drinks Sir Tim Rice wine and embodies the fabled drunken fisticuffs style , Chan ’s crazy athleticism shines . His techniques in the film have literal roots in the account of kung fu . The drunken styleis meant to emulate the behavior of a intoxicated individual , emphasise liquidity and pretended movements . Chan sheds lighter on this combat method acting in a risible elbow room , but it does n’t take away from his magnificence . Although it seems impractical , he presents a real threat , making Chan ’s actions all the more genius .

Collage of Willow and Clash of the Titans

4Bruce Lee

Fist Of Fury (1972)

Bruce Lee is truly the pioneer of the martial arts cinematic earth . He effectively usher the formula of kung fu movies into the modern era in an heroic fashion . Although his career was unfortunately short - lived , he delivered several of the genre ’s most telling performances . For representative , Lee ’s greatness inFist of Furyis a combination of his scrap ability and how he is portray in the flick .

Every punch , kick , and elbow Lee throws inFist of Furyfeels realand hearable . His mannerism only add to the experience as he yells during his movements . This was also one of the first films whereLee demonstrated his unmatched nunchuck prowess . The scrap scenery in the dojo capsulise his on - screen door persona the better . As he sway the weapon around his body at high speed , his opponents front upon him in horror , and for good reason .

3Angela Mao

The Angry River (1971)

Angela Mao total from a background of opera performersand first became conversant with soldierly art in a Peking Opera schooling . ConsideringTheAngry Riverwas her first pic , she came out swing , presenting her combat proficiency in an illustrious agency . It might not be her most popular or critically acclaimed film , but her powerful comportment is undeniable .

Angela Mao is the third of eight children , and most of her sept were entertainer for the Peking Opera House .

Her performance in this film is remarkable for several reasons , but perhaps most importantly , it demonstrates a spectacle of blade fighting techniques that had never been realize before . It ’s not just about her combat either , asMao shows stiff emotion during her time on screen inThe Angry River , which is a will to her act ability . While the tempo of this cinema can be a bit odd , Mao sic the taproom high for the warlike fine art moving-picture show actress that would stick to her .

Bruce-Lee-in-Enter-the-Dragon-and-Jimmy-Wang-Yu—The-Hammer-of-God

Custom Image by Yailin Chacon

2Jimmy Wang Yu

The Hammer Of God (1970)

Often considered Bruce Lee ’s rival , Jimmy Wang Yuwas a rock - cold slayer in martial arts cinema . The Hammer of God , also known asThe Chinese Boxer , follows Lei Ming , portray by Wang Yu , as he seeks out the aggressor who vote out his master and destroy his schoolhouse . The Hammer of Godis study one of the good plastic film in the history of martial prowess , and for just rationality .

Considering Wang Yu ’s unpitying style of combat , shown in his one - hit sword attacks inGolden Swallow(1968 ) , he is considerably more tame in this movie . Yet , it does n’t take away from the magnitude of his performance . The cinematography of this movie nicely complements Wang Yu ’s combat scenes . As he flick through the strain and lands strikes against multiple resister at once , the camera follow him in a fashion that makes the natural process feel personable . His ashen masks and gloves make his prototype in the film all the more iconic .

1Bruce Lee

Enter The Dragon (1973)

Although it was his second to last project , Enter the Dragonturned Lee into an international ace . On list of the greatest martial artistic creation movies of all time , this celluloid is often in the number one spot . This would n’t have been the subject had it not been for Lee ’s groundbreaking performance . There are so manynoteworthy fights inEnter The Dragonthat it ’s hard to choose one that prove why this is the most legendary cinematic combat exhibit ever realise .

Lee does everything good in this motion picture . From the tension to the bone - mash contact lens , it find like warlike humanities in its purest shape . The one - of - a - kind fight choreography is the cherry on top . Lee puts on a kung fu clinic , pulling out moves that have never been realise before , while his fight in the elbow room of mirrors tie it all together . It ’s a mere , one - on - one lucifer , but the acting and scene make it a peculiar and immersive experience . Lee ’s part inEnter the Dragonis everything a martial arts public presentation should be .

embark the Dragon is a pop soldierly creative person movie starring Bruce Lee . The 1973 film focuses on a Shaolin martial artist who infiltrates an opium lord ’s fortress by pretend to be interested in a fighting tournament . Robert Clouse directed the film , which co - starred John Saxon , Jim Kelly , and Ahna Capri .

Cast Placeholder Image

Headshot Of Bruce Lee

Angela Mao in The Angry River

enter the dragon poster

Enter the Dragon is a popular martial artist movie starring Bruce Lee. The 1973 film focuses on a Shaolin martial artist who infiltrates an opium lord’s fortress by pretending to be interested in a fighting tournament. Robert Clouse directed the film, which co-starred John Saxon, Jim Kelly, and Ahna Capri.

Movies