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{{short description|1989 Hong Kong martial arts film directed by Tsui Hark}}
{{Infobox Film
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2014}}
| name = The Master
{{Use Hong Kong English|date=January 2014}}
{{Infobox film
| name = The Master
| image = TheMasterPoster.jpg
| image = TheMasterPoster.jpg
| image_size =
| caption = Poster ad for ''The Master'' home video
| caption = Poster ad for ''The Master'' home video
| director = [[Tsui Hark]]
| director = [[Tsui Hark]]
| producer = Tsui Hark
| producer = Tsui Hark
| writer = Tsui Hark<br />Lam Kei-to<br />Lau Tai-muk
| screenplay = Lam Kei-to<br />Lau Tai-muk
| narrator =
| story = Tsui Hark
| starring = [[Jet Li]]<br />[[Yuen Wah]]<br />Crystal Kwok<br />[[Jerry Trimble]]<br />Anne Rickets
| starring = [[Jet Li]]<br />[[Yuen Wah]]<br />Crystal Kwok<br />[[Jerry Trimble]]<br />Anne Rickets
| music = Tang Siu Lam
| music = Tang Siu-lam
| cinematography = Chan Jun Git<br />[[Paul Edwards (cinematographer)|Paul Edwards]]
| cinematography = Joe Chan<br />Paul Edwards
| editing = Kam Ma<br />[[Marco Mak]]<br />Peter Cheung
| editing = Kam Ma<br />[[Marco Mak]]
| distributor = [[Golden Harvest]]<br />Paragon Films
| studio = [[Orange Sky Golden Harvest|Golden Harvest]]<br />Wa Nga Films<br />[[Film Workshop]]
| distributor = Golden Harvest
| released = {{start date|1989|5|26|df=y}}
| released = {{Film date|1992|5|28|df=y}}
| runtime = 92 minutes
| runtime = 92 minutes
| country = {{film Hong Kong}}
| country = Hong Kong
| language = [[Cantonese]]<br>[[English language|English]]
| language = Cantonese<br>English
| budget =
| budget =
| preceded_by =
| gross = HK$8,096,542
| followed_by =
| website =
}}
}}

{{Chinese|title=The Master|t=龍行天下|s=龙行天下|p=Lóng Xíng Tián Xià|j=Lung4 Hang4 Tin1 Haa6}}
{{Chinese|title=The Master|t=龍行天下|s=龙行天下|p=Lóng Xíng Tián Xià|j=Lung4 Hang4 Tin1 Haa6}}
'''''The Master''''' ([[traditional Chinese]]: 龍行天下) is a 1992 Hong Kong [[martial arts film]] written, produced and directed by [[Tsui Hark]], and starring [[Jet Li]], [[Yuen Wah]], Crystal Kwok and [[Jerry Trimble]]. The project was filmed in 1989, but it was not released until 1992 when the success of ''[[Once Upon a Time in China]]'' made Li a major action star.

'''''The Master''''' ({{zh|t=龍行天下}}) is a [[Hong Kong films of 1989|1989]] [[Cinema of Hong Kong|Hong Kong]] [[martial arts film|martial arts]] [[Hong Kong action cinema|action]] [[comedy film]] written, produced and directed by [[Tsui Hark]] and also written by Lam Kei-to and Lau Tai-muk, starring [[Jet Li]], [[Yuen Wah]] and [[Jerry Trimble]]. The project was released in Hong Kong in 1989, but it was not released in the West until after the success of ''[[Once Upon a Time in China]]'' in 1992.


==Plot==
==Plot==
The story begins in [[Los Angeles]], with a fight between Uncle Tak ([[Yuen Wah]]) and Johnny ([[Jerry Trimble]]), destroying Tak's store in the process. Tak loses and tries to escape, but Anna (Anne Rickets) miraculously comes to save him.
The story occurs in [[Los Angeles]], where a fight between Master Tak ([[Yuen Wah]]) and Johnny ([[Jerry Trimble]]) destroys Tak's herbal medicine store. Johnny is prevented from killing Tak when Anna (Anne Rickets) comes to save him. During his recovery he stays in Anna's camper van. Anna is both a janitor and a student from a gymnastics school but was banned from competing and attending for physically attacking a fellow classmate. As a result, Anna ends up being fired by her coach, who is already fed up with Anna's bad behaviour.


Jet ([[Jet Li]]) arrives by bus. He takes a taxi driven by a friendly Jamaican man. Three thieves take his rucksack, and he chases them through the streets on foot while they drive. He catches them and they see his fighting skills, and they subsequently beg him to be his master. They take Jet to their home but they meet with a dangerous gang. Jet steps in and defends the buddies, but their home is set on fire.
Jet ([[Jet Li]]) arrives from Hong Kong on the airport bus. When he arrives at Tak's store to resume as Tak's Kung Fu student, he finds the store shuttered and three thieves steal his bag. He chases their car on foot through the streets and eventually catches them. The thieves are so impressed with Jet's physical skills they beg him to be their master. They take Jet to their home (an abandoned [[City and town halls|municipal building]]) but they are attacked by a larger gang. Jet reluctantly steps in to defend his new friends, but their home is set on fire.


Meanwhile, Johnny and his gang are closing down kung fu schools and making a name for themselves. Jet meets May (Crystal Kwok), and also meets Johnny in a carpark, quickly learning what Johnny's goal is. Unfortunately, Anna and Jet's friends get beaten up, so Jet trains his friends to defend themselves.
Johnny and his gang are closing down kung fu schools and making a name for themselves. Jet meets May (Crystal Kwok), a bank worker responsible for the loan on Tak's store - but neither knows where Master Tak is. Jet finds himself in the middle of a robbery at a carpark. He finds himself fighting beside Johnny, but Johnny recognizes him from one of Tak's pictures and makes it clear he intends to kill both Jet and Tak. Anna and Jet's friends get beaten up, so Jet trains his friends to defend themselves. Jet is eventually re-united with Tak, but Tak claims he is no longer interested in either teaching Kung Fu or doing herbal medicine.


Jet and his friends go to Tak's store and prepares to deal with Johnny's gang. The three friends put their newly found skills into practice whilst Jet fights the gang. Jet and Johnny fight outside the store until the police step in.
Jet and his friends go to Tak's store and prepare to deal with Johnny's gang. The three friends put their newfound skills into practice fighting four members of Johnny's gang. Jet and Johnny fight outside the store until the police step in.


Jet and Tak have a final strain on their relationship. Downbeat, Jet decides to take a bus to the airport, intending on returning to Hong Kong. On his way, he is attacked by a dreadlocked man armed with a shotgun out. The man fires, killing the bus driver, as May follows the bus with her car. In the meantime, Tak and the three friends make their way to a rooftop for a final duel with Johnny's gang.
Jet and Tak argue, and Jet decides to return to Hong Kong. On the airport bus he is attacked by two dreadlocked men armed with a [[shotgun]] who were at the carpark. Jet manages to defeat the men and regain control of the bus despite a shotgun blast killing the driver. May has been following the bus in her car, possibly intending to express romantic interest in Jet. In the meantime, Tak and the three friends make their way to a rooftop where Johnny and his gang are holding Anna hostage.


After the bus incident, Jet and May go to Tak's store to find a note and a will. They quickly make their way to the rooftop, and Jet makes a surprise attack on Johnny's gang. He again fights with Johnny, while Tak and his friends save Anna from danger.
Jet and May go to Tak's store to find a note and a will. They quickly make their way to the rooftop of a tall building where Tak has disabled 15 or 20 of Johnny's men but is beginning to tire due to his age. Jet takes over for his master and fights Johnny while Tak and the friends defeat the rest of the gang and rescue Anna. After an intense fight Jet manages to kick Johnny off a hanging wire to his death.


Anna goes on her trip with the gymnastics class for the competition, implying her ban was lifted. Jet boards the airport bus, once again intending to go to Hong Kong. To his surprise he finds May there as well; planning to go with him for a holiday, but the three friends and Master Tak drive up beside the bus: Master Tak has stolen Jet's passport; so he cannot leave. Jet and the others laugh at May's misfortune of traveling alone but she in anger and frustration shoves her ticket in Jet's mouth as the credits roll.
During the fight, Jet and Johnny drop down, smashing a gas pipe. Just as Jet thinks the fight is over, Johnny kicks a switch that, causing them to move to the building edge. Jet grabs a rope and just as he is about to fall to his death, Tak, Anna, May and his three friends save him as the rope breaks.


==Cast==
==Cast==
* [[Jet Li]] as Jet, who arrives from Hong Kong to meet Uncle Tak and becomes Tak's student
* [[Jet Li]] - Jet
* [[Yuen Wah]] - Chan Hou Tak / Uncle Tak
* [[Yuen Wah]] as Chan Hou-tak / Uncle Tak, Chinese immigrants who open herbal shop in LA and master to Jet
* Crystal Kwok - May
* Crystal Kwok as May, a bank officer who give loan to Tak
* [[Jerry Trimble]] - Johnny
* [[Jerry Trimble]] as Johnny, owner of a martial arts studio and the main antagonist
* Rueben Gonzáles - Cito
* Rueben Gonzáles as Cito
* Guy Fadollone - Ruben
* Guy Fadollone as Ruben
* Derek Annunciation - Mouse
* Derek Annunciation as Mouse
* Michael Burke - Oscar
* Michael Burke as Oscar
* Camille Carrigan - Jeannie
* Camille Carrigan as Jeannie
* Wayne Post - Jimmy
* Wayne Post as Jimmy
* [[George Cheung]] - Paul
* [[George Cheung]] as Paul
* Pamela J. Anderson - coach
* Pamela J. Anderson as coach
* [[Steven Ho]] - Johnny's student
* [[Steven Ho (martial artist)|Steven Ho]] as Johnny's student
* To Wai Wo - martial arts teacher
* To Wai-wo as martial arts teacher
* Cheung Ching - Clerk of International Publication
* Cheung Ching as Clerk of International Publication
* [[Billy Blanks]] - thug
* [[Billy Blanks]] as Black Thug (uncredited)
* [[Glen Chin]] - taxi driver
* [[Glen Chin]] as taxi driver
* Anne Rickets - Anna
* Anne Rickets as Anna
* [[Corey Yuen]]
* [[Michael McConnohie]] as Johnny (Miramax dubbed version)


==US Version==
==US version==
[[Miramax]]'s North American version of ''The Master'', which was distributed on home video and DVD, was dubbed in English, and the dubbing often strayed heavily from the original dialogue.
[[Miramax]]'s North American version of ''The Master'', which was distributed on home video and DVD, was dubbed in English and the dubbing often strayed heavily from the original dialogue.
Four minutes of cuts were made, including:
Four minutes of cuts were made, including:


Line 72: Line 73:


==Reception==
==Reception==
Upon initial release, ''The Master'' was not particularly successful. In his audio commentary for the [[Hong Kong Legends]] DVD release, [[Bey Logan]] gives possible explanations why, citing characters' ridiculous behaviour and contrived situations. He explains that the characters' motivations are unclear - there is no clear reason why Johnny and his gang repeatedly go to Uncle Tak's store to intimidate him, and close down other kung fu schools. Also, if the bus driver is shot by the dreadlocked man with a shotgun, why does this bus keeps moving while the action is still going.
Upon initial release, ''The Master'' was not particularly successful. In his audio commentary for the [[Hong Kong Legends]] DVD release, Bey Logan gives possible explanations why, citing characters' ridiculous behaviour and contrived situations. He explains that the characters' motivations are unclear - there is no clear reason why Johnny and his gang repeatedly go to Uncle Tak's store to intimidate him, and close down other kung fu schools. Also, if the bus driver is shot by the dreadlocked man with a shotgun, why does the bus keep moving while the action is still going? Lastly, the Hong Kong film crew does not have the same luxury as the American film crew which led to certain scenes that did not work well.


Despite the flawed plot, the film did give signs of what was to come from Jet Li's appearances in films with modern settings. Li's actions style in ''The Master'' was an early example of what was to come in his Hollywood ''[[Romeo Must Die]]'' and ''[[Cradle 2 the Grave]]''.
Despite the flawed plot, the film did give signs of what was to come from Jet Li's appearances in films with modern settings. Li's action style in ''The Master'' was an early example of what was to come in his Hollywood films ''[[Romeo Must Die]]'' and ''[[Cradle 2 the Grave]]''.<ref name="TheMaster">{{cite video | title = ''The Master'', Audio commentary Bey Logan (DVD featurette) | medium = DVD | publisher = [[Hong Kong Legends]], UK | orig-year = 1989 |year=2001 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.thespinningimage.co.uk/cultfilms/displaycultfilm.asp?reviewid=1200|title = Master, the Review (1989)}}</ref>
<ref name="TheMaster">{{cite video | title = ''The Master'', Audio commentary Bey Logan (DVD featurette) | medium = DVD | publisher = [[Hong Kong Legends]], UK | date = 1989 (film), 2001 (DVD)}}</ref><ref>http://www.thespinningimage.co.uk/cultfilms/displaycultfilm.asp?reviewid=1200</ref>


==Box office==
==Box office==
''The Master'' earned a weak HK $8,096,542 in Hong Kong.
''The Master'' earned a weak HK$8,096,542 in Hong Kong.


==DVD release==
==Home media==
On March 28, 2005, DVD was released in [[Hong Kong Legends]] at [[United Kingdom|UK]] in [[DVD region code|Region 2]].
On 28 March 2005, DVD was released by [[Hong Kong Legends]] in the United Kingdom in [[DVD region code#2|Region 2]]. Four months later, The Jet Li Collection DVD was released on 25 July 2005 at 2 disc set including [[Hitman (1998 film)|Hitman]].

Four months later, The Jet Li Collection DVD were released on July 25, 2005 at 2 disc set including [[Hitman (1998 film)|Hitman]].


==References==
==References==
Line 89: Line 87:


==External links==
==External links==
* {{imdb title|id=0097775|title=The Master}}
* {{IMDb title|0097775|The Master}}
* {{Rotten Tomatoes|huang_fei_hong_jiu_er_zhi_long_xing_tian_xia_1989}}
* {{Amg movie|154072|The Master}}


{{Tsui Hark}}
{{Tsui Hark}}
{{CinemaofHongKong}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Master, The}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Master, The}}
[[Category:Hong Kong films]]
[[Category:1992 films]]
[[Category:1989 films]]
[[Category:1992 martial arts films]]
[[Category:1980s action films]]
[[Category:1990s Cantonese-language films]]
[[Category:1980s comedy films]]
[[Category:Hong Kong action films]]
[[Category:Cantonese-language films]]
[[Category:Action comedy films]]
[[Category:Martial arts films]]
[[Category:Martial arts comedy films]]
[[Category:Films directed by Tsui Hark]]
[[Category:Films directed by Tsui Hark]]
[[Category:Films set in Los Angeles, California]]
[[Category:Films set in Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Films shot in Los Angeles]]

[[Category:Golden Harvest films]]
[[hu:Mesterek (film)]]
[[Category:Hong Kong martial arts films]]
[[pl:Mistrz (film 1989)]]
[[Category:Kung fu films]]
[[zh:龍行天下]]
[[Category:Mixed martial arts films]]
[[Category:1990s Hong Kong films]]
[[Category:Foreign films set in the United States]]

Latest revision as of 10:37, 22 December 2024

The Master
Poster ad for The Master home video
Directed byTsui Hark
Screenplay byLam Kei-to
Lau Tai-muk
Story byTsui Hark
Produced byTsui Hark
StarringJet Li
Yuen Wah
Crystal Kwok
Jerry Trimble
Anne Rickets
CinematographyJoe Chan
Paul Edwards
Edited byKam Ma
Marco Mak
Music byTang Siu-lam
Production
companies
Distributed byGolden Harvest
Release date
  • 28 May 1992 (1992-05-28)
Running time
92 minutes
CountryHong Kong
LanguagesCantonese
English
Box officeHK$8,096,542
The Master
Traditional Chinese龍行天下
Simplified Chinese龙行天下
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinLóng Xíng Tián Xià
Yue: Cantonese
JyutpingLung4 Hang4 Tin1 Haa6

The Master (traditional Chinese: 龍行天下) is a 1992 Hong Kong martial arts film written, produced and directed by Tsui Hark, and starring Jet Li, Yuen Wah, Crystal Kwok and Jerry Trimble. The project was filmed in 1989, but it was not released until 1992 when the success of Once Upon a Time in China made Li a major action star.

Plot

[edit]

The story occurs in Los Angeles, where a fight between Master Tak (Yuen Wah) and Johnny (Jerry Trimble) destroys Tak's herbal medicine store. Johnny is prevented from killing Tak when Anna (Anne Rickets) comes to save him. During his recovery he stays in Anna's camper van. Anna is both a janitor and a student from a gymnastics school but was banned from competing and attending for physically attacking a fellow classmate. As a result, Anna ends up being fired by her coach, who is already fed up with Anna's bad behaviour.

Jet (Jet Li) arrives from Hong Kong on the airport bus. When he arrives at Tak's store to resume as Tak's Kung Fu student, he finds the store shuttered and three thieves steal his bag. He chases their car on foot through the streets and eventually catches them. The thieves are so impressed with Jet's physical skills they beg him to be their master. They take Jet to their home (an abandoned municipal building) but they are attacked by a larger gang. Jet reluctantly steps in to defend his new friends, but their home is set on fire.

Johnny and his gang are closing down kung fu schools and making a name for themselves. Jet meets May (Crystal Kwok), a bank worker responsible for the loan on Tak's store - but neither knows where Master Tak is. Jet finds himself in the middle of a robbery at a carpark. He finds himself fighting beside Johnny, but Johnny recognizes him from one of Tak's pictures and makes it clear he intends to kill both Jet and Tak. Anna and Jet's friends get beaten up, so Jet trains his friends to defend themselves. Jet is eventually re-united with Tak, but Tak claims he is no longer interested in either teaching Kung Fu or doing herbal medicine.

Jet and his friends go to Tak's store and prepare to deal with Johnny's gang. The three friends put their newfound skills into practice fighting four members of Johnny's gang. Jet and Johnny fight outside the store until the police step in.

Jet and Tak argue, and Jet decides to return to Hong Kong. On the airport bus he is attacked by two dreadlocked men armed with a shotgun who were at the carpark. Jet manages to defeat the men and regain control of the bus despite a shotgun blast killing the driver. May has been following the bus in her car, possibly intending to express romantic interest in Jet. In the meantime, Tak and the three friends make their way to a rooftop where Johnny and his gang are holding Anna hostage.

Jet and May go to Tak's store to find a note and a will. They quickly make their way to the rooftop of a tall building where Tak has disabled 15 or 20 of Johnny's men but is beginning to tire due to his age. Jet takes over for his master and fights Johnny while Tak and the friends defeat the rest of the gang and rescue Anna. After an intense fight Jet manages to kick Johnny off a hanging wire to his death.

Anna goes on her trip with the gymnastics class for the competition, implying her ban was lifted. Jet boards the airport bus, once again intending to go to Hong Kong. To his surprise he finds May there as well; planning to go with him for a holiday, but the three friends and Master Tak drive up beside the bus: Master Tak has stolen Jet's passport; so he cannot leave. Jet and the others laugh at May's misfortune of traveling alone but she in anger and frustration shoves her ticket in Jet's mouth as the credits roll.

Cast

[edit]
  • Jet Li as Jet, who arrives from Hong Kong to meet Uncle Tak and becomes Tak's student
  • Yuen Wah as Chan Hou-tak / Uncle Tak, Chinese immigrants who open herbal shop in LA and master to Jet
  • Crystal Kwok as May, a bank officer who give loan to Tak
  • Jerry Trimble as Johnny, owner of a martial arts studio and the main antagonist
  • Rueben Gonzáles as Cito
  • Guy Fadollone as Ruben
  • Derek Annunciation as Mouse
  • Michael Burke as Oscar
  • Camille Carrigan as Jeannie
  • Wayne Post as Jimmy
  • George Cheung as Paul
  • Pamela J. Anderson as coach
  • Steven Ho as Johnny's student
  • To Wai-wo as martial arts teacher
  • Cheung Ching as Clerk of International Publication
  • Billy Blanks as Black Thug (uncredited)
  • Glen Chin as taxi driver
  • Anne Rickets as Anna
  • Corey Yuen
  • Michael McConnohie as Johnny (Miramax dubbed version)

US version

[edit]

Miramax's North American version of The Master, which was distributed on home video and DVD, was dubbed in English and the dubbing often strayed heavily from the original dialogue. Four minutes of cuts were made, including:

  • The opening scene, in which Anna fights a gymnastics student.
  • A scene of Anna being banned from gymnastics school.
  • A scene of Jet walking through Los Angeles is cut slightly. Also, acoustic guitar music replaces the original, more somber score, changing the intentions of the scene significantly.
  • A scene in which Jet, after the clinic is raided, finds Anna beaten up.

Reception

[edit]

Upon initial release, The Master was not particularly successful. In his audio commentary for the Hong Kong Legends DVD release, Bey Logan gives possible explanations why, citing characters' ridiculous behaviour and contrived situations. He explains that the characters' motivations are unclear - there is no clear reason why Johnny and his gang repeatedly go to Uncle Tak's store to intimidate him, and close down other kung fu schools. Also, if the bus driver is shot by the dreadlocked man with a shotgun, why does the bus keep moving while the action is still going? Lastly, the Hong Kong film crew does not have the same luxury as the American film crew which led to certain scenes that did not work well.

Despite the flawed plot, the film did give signs of what was to come from Jet Li's appearances in films with modern settings. Li's action style in The Master was an early example of what was to come in his Hollywood films Romeo Must Die and Cradle 2 the Grave.[1][2]

Box office

[edit]

The Master earned a weak HK$8,096,542 in Hong Kong.

Home media

[edit]

On 28 March 2005, DVD was released by Hong Kong Legends in the United Kingdom in Region 2. Four months later, The Jet Li Collection DVD was released on 25 July 2005 at 2 disc set including Hitman.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ The Master, Audio commentary Bey Logan (DVD featurette) (DVD). Hong Kong Legends, UK. 2001 [1989].
  2. ^ "Master, the Review (1989)".
[edit]