Once Upon a Time in China III • 黃飛鴻之三：獅王爭霸 • Wong Fei-hung (1993)

Once Upon a Time in China III (1993), also released as Wong Fei Hung III: Si Wong Jaang Ba and Huang Fei Hong Zhi San: Shi Wang Zheng Ba (黃飛鴻之三：獅王爭霸 / 黄飞鸿之三：狮王争霸), is a Hong Kong martial arts film directed by Tsui Hark. Starring Jet Li, Rosamund Kwan, Max Mok, Xiong Xinxin, Lau Shun, and John Wakefield, the third film in the legendary Once Upon a Time in China series sends Wong Fei-hung to Beijing for a spectacular Lion Dance competition that becomes entangled in martial arts rivalries and an assassination plot.

STORY OVERVIEW

Wong Fei-hung travels to Beijing with 13th Aunt and his student Leung Foon to visit his father, Wong Kei-ying. Their arrival coincides with an Imperial Lion Dance competition organized to promote Chinese martial arts and national pride, bringing rival schools and fighters together from across the country.

The competition quickly turns dangerous when Wong discovers that powerful martial artists are using the tournament for their own ambitions. With an assassination plot unfolding around the event, Wong must protect his father, confront dangerous opponents, and prevent the competition from becoming a deadly political battle. 

MARTIAL ARTS HIGHLIGHTS

Once Upon a Time in China III is famous for its spectacular Lion Dance sequences, including acrobatic battles fought across towering wooden poles. The film combines Hung Gar-inspired kung fu, lion dancing, weapons, wire-assisted action, and large-scale choreography, with martial arts direction by Yuen Bun.

WHY COLLECTORS PICK IT

Collectors remember Once Upon a Time in China III for Jet Li's commanding performance as Wong Fei-hung, the chemistry between Li and Rosamund Kwan, and some of the most memorable Lion Dance action ever filmed. The cast also includes Max Mok, Xiong Xinxin, Lau Shun, and John Wakefield. 

HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Released in 1993, Once Upon a Time in China III became one of the best-known entries in Tsui Hark's Wong Fei-hung series. Its elaborate Lion Dance competition and martial arts choreography remain among the defining action sequences of 1990s Hong Kong cinema. 

• Verified AKAs:
  • Once Upon a Time in China III – International English title
  • Once Upon a Time in China 3 – Alternate English title
  • Wong Fei Hung III: Si Wong Jaang Ba – Alternate English title
  • Wong Fei Hung Ji Saam: Si Wong Zaang Baa – Cantonese romanization
  • Huang Fei Hong Zhi San: Shi Wang Zheng Ba – Mandarin Pinyin
  • 黃飛鴻之三：獅王爭霸 – Traditional Chinese title
  • 黄飞鸿之三：狮王争霸 – Simplified Chinese title
• Studio: Film Workshop, Golden Harvest
• Director: Tsui Hark
• Writers: Tsui Hark, Cheung Tan, Chan Tin-suen
• Producers: Tsui Hark, Ng See-yuen
• Action Director: Yuen Bun
• Starring: Jet Li, Rosamund Kwan, Max Mok, Xiong Xinxin, Lau Shun, John Wakefield
• Format: DVD
• Language: Cantonese, Mandarin, English
• Running Time: 105 Minutes
• Country: Hong Kong
• Release Year: 1993

Carefully researched and prepared for collectors of classic martial arts cinema by ClassicKungFuMovies.com.