Tai Chi Master | |
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DVD cover
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Traditional | 太極張三豐 |
Simplified | 太极张三丰 |
Mandarin | Tàijí Zhāng Sānfēng |
Cantonese | Taai3 Gik6 Zeong1 Saam1 Fung1 |
Directed by | Yuen Woo-ping |
Produced by | Jet Li |
Written by | Kim Yip |
Starring |
Jet Li Michelle Yeoh Chin Siu-ho Fennie Yuen Yuen Cheung-yan Lau Shun |
Music by | William Wu |
Cinematography | Tom Lau |
Edited by | Angie Lam |
Production
company |
Eastern Production
|
Distributed by |
Golden Harvest Gala Film Distribution |
Release date
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Running time
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96 minutes |
Country | Hong Kong |
Language | Cantonese |
Box office | HK$12,64,442 |
Tai Chi Boxer | |
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UK DVD cover
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Traditional | 太極拳 |
Simplified | 太极拳 |
Mandarin | Tàijí Quán |
Cantonese | Tai3 Gik6 Kyun4 |
Directed by |
Yuen Woo-ping Zhang Xinyan |
Produced by | Stephen Wong |
Written by | Yuen Woo-ping Sze Yeung-ping |
Starring |
Jacky Wu Christy Chung Sibelle Hu Billy Chow Mark Cheng Lau Shun |
Music by | Bin Lau-lim Tang Siu-lam |
Cinematography | Chau Pak-ling |
Edited by | Zhang Xinyan Koo Chi-wai |
Production
company |
Film Can Production
|
Distributed by | Upland Films Corporate |
Release date
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|
Running time
|
96 minutes |
Country | Hong Kong |
Language | Cantonese |
Box office | HK$742,095 |
Tai Chi Master (Chinese: 太極張三豐), also known as Tai-Chi Master and Twin Warriors, is a 1993 Hong Kong martial arts film directed by Yuen Woo-ping, and produced by Jet Li, who also starred in the film. The film was released in Hong Kong on 18 November 1993.
Junbao and Tienbo grow up together in a Shaolin Temple as monks, studying the martial arts and generally getting into trouble. They are both expelled from the temple after Tienbo almost kills a fellow student who cheats in a fight against him. Aided in their escape by their sympathetic teacher, they receive final instructions regarding the potential paths of their different personalities, with a specific warning given to Tienbo. They both then go into the outside world to find their way in life. Meanwhile, a gang of henchmen are forcibly taking money from a local shop owner. A woman named Miss Li steals the money and returns it. Having noticed the money gone, the henchmen start to fight with Miss Li. Miss Li holds her own during the fight, but soon gets into a bit of trouble due to her being outnumbered. Junbao comes to her aid and defeats the gang. Army reinforcements arrive to break up the fight and so the trio run away to escape capture. At this moment the eunuch governor travels through the town, roughing up the locals as he does so. Tienbo realizes that he wants to be as rich and powerful as the governor, but Miss Li warns him that the governor has "the heart of a viper" and wonders if he could handle this power. Miss Li then shows them to a pub to get food.
Inside the pub, they find a woman named Siu-lin. Siu-lin is searching for her lost husband, during which she supports herself by playing on a sanxian that said husband gave to her as a gift. She finds him inside the pub as the new husband of the governor's niece. The niece starts a battle with Sui Lin where they both seem equal, but the husband hits Siu Lin on her head with a stool causing her to collapse. Junbao helps Siu Lin by defending her against her ex-husband and the niece's guards.
The next day, while Junbao and Tienbo are making money with their amazing kung fu skills, the governor's second in command spots them and is impressed with Tienbo's abilities (and his eagerness to kow-tow to authority.) He offers him to join the army (which he readily accepts) however, Junbao is more reluctant to do so and declines going with Tienbo and so the two go their separate ways. Later, some soldiers come to the pub to collect taxes (which have increased due to the governor’s greedy nature) but Junbao and the rebels (who have stolen great valuables from the governor to give back to the poor) fight and kills them one by one. One soldier escapes alive and starts off towards the army's camp to warn them about the rebels with Junbao in pursuit. Just in front of the army encampment, Tienbo kills the soldier before he warns the rest of the army about the rebels whereabouts. Tienbo warns Junbao to stay clear of the rebels as they'll get him into trouble. Now knowing where the rebels are hiding however, Tienbo takes this unique opportunity to gain a promotion. He sets a trap for Junbao and the rebels by telling them that the army is on patrol and when would be the best time to attack them.