Half a Loaf of Kung Fu
| Half a Loaf of Kung Fu | |
|---|---|
 Original Hong Kong poster | |
| Directed by | Chen Chi-hwa |
| Written by | Jacky Chan Tang Ming-chi |
| Produced by | Lo Wei Hsu Li-hwa |
| Starring | Jacky Chan Dean Shek James Tien Doris Lung Wu Ma |
| Cinematography | Chen Chin-kui |
| Edited by | Leong Wing-chan |
| Music by | Frankie Chan Tomita Isao |
| Distributed by | Lo Wei Motion Picture Company |
Release date |
|
Running time | 98 minutes |
| Country | Hong Kong |
| Language | Mandarin |
| Box office | HK$1,526,871.50 |
Half a Loaf of Kung Fu (Chinese: 一招半式闖江湖) is a 1978 Hong Kong martial arts film directed by Chen Chi-hwa, and written by Jacky Chan, who also starred in the lead role. The film co-stars Dean Shek and James Tien. The film was released in the Hong Kong on 1 July 1978.
The story takes place in olden day China. Chan plays a traveling acrobat named Jiang who bumbles his way into a job at the mansion. After breaking house rules and upsetting the evil witch living in the guest room, Jiang comes across two kung fu masters dueling in the woods. He manages to escape without notice, and brings along the dead loser of the duel. He collects the reward and goes in search of a kung fu teacher. After several teachers don't work out Chan inlists the teachings of a beggar who is a kung fu master. He then goes on a journey with the beautiful princess to find the special Jade plant. "Half a Loaf" is a light hearted comedy/action movie known in its tongue-in-cheek sense of humor. The movie plays fun at melodramatic kung fu movies coming out of Hong Kong in the 70s. The movie opens with a bunch of short clips of near silent scenarios that show off Jackie's kung fu skills and tell all facial expressions and visual humor.
Plot
Chan plays a bumbling long haired acrobat named Jiang who really wants to practice kung fu. He finds an advertisement for work at the Mansion as a body guard. Jiang doesn't get the body guard position, but cons his way into a job using his kung fu skills, and gets himself into the middle of some shady business. He is told not to go near the "guest room" where the special guest is staying. A fellow employee tells Jiang that there is an evil witch who lives in the guest room and is not to be disturbed. Jiang of course is caught spying on her and is run off the land. He then encounters two kung fu masters fighting in the woods. He watches one kill the other, and when he leaves Jiang takes the body into town to collect the reward. Using the money from the reward, Jiang tries to fulfill his kung fu dreams and find a master. He is suddenly attacked by the crazy witch and is about to lose until a mystery master shows up and beats her. The master turns out to be a bum, and teaches Jiang kung fu. He then goes on a journey with a princess to find a special jade plant.
Cast
- Jacky Chan
- Chin Kang
- Dean Shek
- James Tien
- Doris Lung
- Kao Kuang
- Wang Yao
- Hoh Gong
- Wu Ma (uncredited)
- Yeung Lit
- Woo Hon Cheung
- Peng Kong
See also
References
- Chan, Jackie with Jeff Lang. I am Jackie Chan: my life in action. New York: Ballantine, p. 222 and pp. 228–235.
- Thomas, Brian. Videohound's Dragon: Asian Action and Cult Films. Detroit: Visible Ink Press, p. 294.
External links
- Half a Loaf of Kung Fu at Hong Kong Cinemagic
- Half a Loaf of Kung Fu at IMDb
- Half a Loaf of Kung Fu at AllMovie
- http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/half-a-loaf-of-kung-fu/