The Bare-Footed Kid
| The Bare-Footed Kid | |||||||||||
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 DVD cover | |||||||||||
| Chinese name | |||||||||||
| Traditional Chinese | 赤腳小子 | ||||||||||
| Simplified Chinese | 赤脚小子 | ||||||||||
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| Directed by | Johnnie To | ||||||||||
| Screenplay by | Yau Nai-hoi | ||||||||||
| Story by | Sandy Shaw | ||||||||||
| Produced by | Mona Fong | ||||||||||
| Starring | Aaron Kwok Maggie Cheung Ti Lung Jacklyn Wu | ||||||||||
| Cinematography | Horace Wong | ||||||||||
| Edited by | Wong Wing-ming | ||||||||||
| Music by | William Wu | ||||||||||
Production company | Cosmopolitan Film | ||||||||||
| Distributed by | Newport Entertainment | ||||||||||
Release date |
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Running time | 86 minutes | ||||||||||
| Country | Hong Kong | ||||||||||
| Language | Cantonese | ||||||||||
| Box office | HK$3,973,198 | ||||||||||
The Bare-Footed Kid (released in the Philippines as Professional Fighter) is a 1993 Hong Kong martial arts film directed by Johnnie To and starring Aaron Kwok, Maggie Cheung, Ti Lung and Jacklyn Wu. The film is a remake of the 1975 film, Disciples of Shaolin, which was directed by Chang Cheh.[1][2]
Plot
[edit]After the death of his father, the poor and illiterate Kwan Fung-yiu (Aaron Kwok) goes out to the provincial capital to seek refuge from Tuen Ching-wan (Ti Lung), a friend of his deceased father, and works in a dye factory, the "Four Seasons Weaver". The political situation in the capital is tense. With his superior identity as a Manchurian, Hak Wo-po (Kenneth Tsang), owner of the "Tin Lung Spinner", dominates the city and set up a gambling den where he sends his workers to fight with workers of "Four Seasons Weave". The newly appointed magistrate Yuen Tin-yau (Cheung Siu-fai) and his instructor Mr. Wah (Paul Chun) want to eradicate Hak, but they do not have enough evidence to bring him to justice. Later, Tin-yau meets Pak Siu-kwan (Maggie Cheung), the owner of "Four Seasons Weaver" and Wah's daughter Lin (Jacklyn Wu). Then it was revealed that Tuen was a fugitive who changed his name and hid in the dye factory to avoid arrest and developed affection towards Pak. Fung-yiu and Lin also develops a mutual bond after an incident.
"Tin Lung Spinners" had always been inferior to "Four Seasons Weaver". Feeling vengeful, Hak sets "Four Seasons Weave" on fire to vent his anger. Fung-yiu, who is witless, dazed and confused, gets up to the fighting arena, and was lured by Hak where he kills his friend's father. Fung-yiu had fallen further and further into a quagmire of confusion. He also reveals Tuen's past identity as a killer and Tuen is wanted by officials. Yuen Tin-yau's discerning eyes can tell greatness from Fung-yiu, and they work together to defeat the "Dragon Place". However, Tuen was ambushed by Hak where he swallowed poison and shot to death by millions of arrows. Fung-yiu hurried off to save Tuen, but it was too late by then.
Cast
[edit]- Aaron Kwok as Kwan Fung-yiu
- Ti Lung as Tuen Ching-wan
- Maggie Cheung as Pak Siu-kwan
- Jacklyn Wu as Wah Wong-lin
- Paul Chun as Mr. Wah
- Kenneth Tsang as Hak Wo-po
- Cheung Siu-fai as Magistrate Yuen Tin-yau
- Wong Yat-fei as Kuei
- Tin Ching as Pak's worker
- Wong San as Pak's indebted worker
- Chu Tit-wo as Hung Chun-tin
- Benny Lai as City guard
- Johnny Cheng as City guard
- Yuen Ling-to as Pui
- Cheng Ka-sang as Hak's bodyguard
- Leung Kai-chi as Weaver at Tin Lung Spinners
- Hau Woon-ling as Sam Ku, woman leading bridal march
- Jacky Cheung Chun-hung as Magistrate Yuen's aide
- So Wai-nam as Magistrate Yuen's aide
- Kent Chow as Magistrate Yuen's aide
- Kong Miu-deng as Hak's thug
- Mak Wai-cheung as Hak's thug
- Huang Kai-sen as Hak's thug
- Chan Min-leung as Chan
- Chan Man-hiu as Shoes vendor
- Ng Wui as Cow owner
- Kam Lau as Shop owner
- San Tak-kan as Boat passenger
- Kai Cheung-lung as Boatman
- Adam Chan
- Kwan Yung
- Jameson Lam
Music
[edit]Theme song
[edit]- "The Expression After Speaking" (留下句號的面容)
- Composer: William Wu
- Lyricist: Siu Mei
- Singer: Aaron Kwok
Insert theme
[edit]- "Wait for Your Return" (等你回來)
- Composer: William Wu
- Lyricist: Siu Mei
- Singer: Cass Phang
Release
[edit]The Bare-Footed Kid was released in Hong Kong on 3 April 1993. In the Philippines, the film was released as Professional Fighter by South Cinema Films on 21 April 1994, with actor Aaron Kwok credited as "Alexander Fu Sheng Jr."[3]
Critical response
[edit]The Bare-Footed Kid received generally positive reviews. Ard Vijn of Twitch Film writes "it's not a classic by any means but it's a fun movie that definitely has its moments. Fans of either Aaron Kwok, Ti Lung or Maggie Cheung won't be disappointed."[4] Mark Polland of Kung Fu Cinema rated it 4 out of 5 stars and writes The Bare-Footed Kid is a thoughtful kung fu film with an unusually strong story that winningly delivers a message that strength and fighting ability are useless without morality and sound judgment.[2] Andrew Saroch of Far East Films also rated film 4 out of 5 stars and writes "while not as good as Disciples of Shaolin, Bare-Footed Kid is an excellent film and like its inspiration, operates of a number of levels."[1]
Box office
[edit]The film grossed HK$3,973,198 at the Hong Kong box office during its theatrical run from 3 to 14 April 1993.[citation needed]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b "Far East Films - Reviews - The Bare-Footed Kid".
- ^ a b "REVIEW: Bare-Footed Kid, The (1993)".
- ^ "Grand Opening Today!". Manila Standard. Kamahalan Publishing Corp. 21 April 1994. p. 21. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
Directed by LIU CHIA LIANG -One of the Greatest Action Directors of SHAOLIN KUNG-FU Movies
- ^ "THE BARE-FOOTED KID DVD-review".