Fist of Fury (TV series)

Plot

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Perspective

The series is set in early 20th-century China. Chen Zhen travels to Shanghai with his younger sister Xiaoyan in search of a new life after their hometown is destroyed by bandits.

Shanghai has become an international settlement under the control of foreign powers, while the martial artists' community in Shanghai is divided into many schools competing for the top position. The status reflects the state of China: the Chinese are pursuing their individual goals and fighting among themselves instead of uniting to drive out the overbearing foreign powers and regain sovereignty of their country. Huo Yuanjia, the founder of Jingwu School, is trying hard to influence the other schools to unite under a common purpose of defending China from foreign intrusion.

While earning a living as a coolie and rickshaw puller in Shanghai, Chen saves Qiqiao, a famous singer, from some gangsters and receives an invitation to join the notorious Green Gang. He proves to be the best fighter in the gang and earns the favour of the boss, Cai Liujin. At the same time, he encounters the bandits who killed his family and they are coincidentally the Green Gang's allies. Unable to convince the Green Gang to support him in taking revenge on the bandits, Chen learns a painful lesson to stay away from the gang's illegal activities when the bandits kill his sister too. He leaves the gang after avenging his sister and family.

Chen ultimately joins Jingwu School after feeling impressed with Huo from their earlier encounters. He earns Huo's favour as he demonstrates a good understanding of Jingwu's philosophy, and hones his fighting skills under Huo's guidance. In the meantime, he meets and falls in love with Yumi, the daughter of Takeda Yukio, a Japanese consul. Their relationship is strained because they stand on opposing sides and come from strikingly different backgrounds. Besides, Jingwu School strongly supports the local anti-Japanese movement, much to the Japanese's displeasure. Furthermore, Ishii Hideaki, Yumi's fiancé, has to come to Shanghai with his brother to start a karate dojo in Hongkou District.

Meanwhile, Takeda takes charge of the Black Dragon Society's activities in Shanghai, including sabotaging the Chinese military in preparation for the Japanese to launch an invasion of China. Knowing that Huo, whom the Chinese regard as a hero, must die in order for the Chinese people's morale to be crushed, Takeda sends a spy to infiltrate Jingwu School and secretly poison Huo.

Huo accepts a challenge from Ishii to fight in a leitai match, but collapses halfway and dies from poisoning. Chen remains calm in the face of taunts and insults from Jingwu School's enemies after his master's death, and continues to lead his fellows to resist the Black Dragon Society. All members of Jingwu School ultimately die in the struggle, leaving Chen as the sole survivor.

After discovering that Takeda is planning to release a deadly virus in Shanghai and allow the Japanese to use that as an excuse to invade China, Chen breaks into the Black Dragon Society's base and takes down every fighter who stands in his way. He confronts Takeda and defeats him, but spares his life when Yumi begs him not to kill her father. Takeda commits suicide in humiliation after his defeat; Yumi, who was caught up in the fight and gravely wounded, dies of her injuries after Chen brings her back to Jingwu School.

In the final scene, Jingwu School is surrounded by armed soldiers because the Japanese consulate has ordered Chen's arrest for the murder of Takeda. Chen speaks to the Chinese police inspector, who promises him to ensure Jingwu School's survival, and then charges out with a flying kick at the soldiers as they open fire at him.

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Cast

Donnie Yen as Chen Zhen, the protagonist.
Eddy Ko as Huo Yuanjia, the founder of Jingwu School.
Joey Meng as Yumi, Takeda's daughter and Chen Zhen's love interest.
Kenny Lin-Teruyuki as Ishii Hideaki, Yumi's fiancé who wants to start a karate school in China.
Yeung Chak-lam as Takeda Yukio, a Japanese consul and member of the Black Dragon Society.
Berg Ng as Liu Zhensheng, the most senior of the Jingwu School students.
Eric Wan as Cai Xuefu, Cai Liujin's son who becomes a hanjian.
Leung Yat-ho as Liang Xia, Cai Liujin's bodyguard and Chen Zhen's friend.
Cong Shan as Qiqiao, a singer and Liang Xia's love interest.
Lau Chi-wing as Cai Liujin, the boss of the Green Gang.
Sin Ho-ying as Ishii Hiroshi, Hideaki's brother and the master of the dojo in Hongkou.
Paw Hee-ching as Mrs Takeda, Takeda's wife.
Ng Yuen-chun as Kuki, Ishii Hideaki's sensei.
Mai Kei as Hu En, Takeda's secretary.
Renee Dai as Xiaoyan, Chen Zhen's younger sister.
Bobby Tsang as Ye Dachang, a Jingwu School student.
Lee Mo-king as Ye Dachang's wife
Ng Siu-ching as Ma Xiaoqing, a Jingwu School student.
Stephen Au as the Muay Thai fighter
Cheng Shu-fung as Hong Bao, a bandit chief who murders Chen Zhen's family.
Hung Yan-yan as Hong Fei, Hong Bao's brother.
Philip Keung as Ah-Zhong, a coolie and Chen Zhen's friend.
Ken Lok as Zhang Kexiang, an ally of Jingwu School.
Lo Lieh as Zhang Zongtang, a warlord and Zhang Kexiang's father.
Hon Yee-sang as Cai Jinhu, Cai Liujin's brother and a martial arts master.
Simon Tsui as Uncle Quan, the chairman of the Shanghai Martial Arts Association.
Fung Kwok as Nong Jinsun, a businessman and friend of Huo Yuanjia who co-founded Jingwu School.
Kong To as Mayor Yan, the mayor of Shanghai.
Mak Kei as Inspector Luo, the police inspector.
Leung Kam-yim as Boss Ma, the Teochew-speaking businessman who hired the Muay Thai fighter.
Wai Lit as Fang Gaitian, the vice chairman of the Shanghai Martial Arts Association.
Kon San as Master Jin, a martial arts school master.
Kwan Wai-lun as Zheng Tian, the master of the White Crane School.
Ling Lai-man as Old Feng, the cook at Jingwu School.

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Fist of Fury (TV series)

Plot

Cast

External links

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