Once Upon a Time in China IV • 黃飛鴻之四：王者之風 • Wong Fei-hung (1993)

Once Upon a Time in China IV (1993), also released as Wong Fei Hung Ji Sei: Wong Je Ji Fung and Huang Fei Hong Zhi Si: Wang Zhe Zhi Feng (黃飛鴻之四：王者之風 / 黄飞鸿之四：王者之风), is a Hong Kong martial arts film directed by Yuen Bun. Starring Vincent Zhao, Jean Wang, Max Mok, Xiong Xinxin, Billy Chow, and Chin Kar-lok, the fourth film in the Once Upon a Time in China series introduces Vincent Zhao as Wong Fei-hung and centers on a spectacular international Lion Dance competition. The film combines traditional kung fu, acrobatics, and fierce battles involving the Red Lantern Society and foreign challengers.

STORY OVERVIEW

In 1900, Wong Fei-hung is drawn into an international Lion Dance competition after Chinese officials fear that foreign challengers will defeat the nation's best fighters. Wong is asked to represent China, but events quickly become more dangerous when the competition becomes entangled with political unrest and the violent Red Lantern Society.

As foreign fighters and nationalist extremists clash, Wong finds himself caught between opposing sides. While trying to protect innocent people and prevent further bloodshed, he must face skilled martial artists in a series of increasingly dangerous encounters that lead back to the Lion Dance competition.

MARTIAL ARTS HIGHLIGHTS

Once Upon a Time in China IV is packed with kung fu action, acrobatics, weapon fighting, and elaborate Lion Dance sequences. The film is particularly remembered for its gravity-defying battles above the arena floor, including a spectacular fight staged across collapsing wooden poles. Yuen Bun serves as both director and martial arts choreographer, giving the film a faster and more action-heavy style than the earlier entries. 

WHY COLLECTORS PICK IT

Collectors value Once Upon a Time in China IV as Vincent Zhao's first appearance as Wong Fei-hung after taking over the role from Jet Li. His athletic martial arts background is put to full use, while Jean Wang, Max Mok, Xiong Xinxin, Billy Chow, and Chin Kar-lok add a strong supporting cast of familiar Hong Kong performers. 

HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Released in 1993, Once Upon a Time in China IV marked a major change for the series, introducing both a new director and a new lead actor. Yuen Bun made his directorial debut with the film, while Vincent Zhao succeeded Jet Li as Wong Fei-hung. Produced by Tsui Hark and Ng See-yuen, it continued one of Hong Kong cinema's best-known martial arts franchises. 

• Verified AKAs:
  • Once Upon a Time in China IV – International English title
  • Once Upon a Time in China 4 – Alternate English title
  • Wong Fei Hung IV: Wong Je Ji Fung – Alternate English title
  • Wong Fei Hung Ji Sei: Wong Je Ji Fung – Cantonese romanization
  • Huang Fei Hong Zhi Si: Wang Zhe Zhi Feng – Mandarin Pinyin
  • 黃飛鴻之四：王者之風 – Traditional Chinese title
  • 黄飞鸿之四：王者之风 – Simplified Chinese title
• Studio: Film Workshop, Paragon Films Ltd.
• Director: Yuen Bun
• Writers: Tsui Hark, Elsa Tang
• Producers: Tsui Hark, Ng See-yuen
• Action Director: Yuen Bun
• Starring: Vincent Zhao, Jean Wang, Max Mok, Xiong Xinxin, Billy Chow, Chin Kar-lok
• Format: DVD
• Language: Cantonese, Mandarin, English, German
• Running Time: 101 Minutes
• Country: Hong Kong, China
• Release Year: 1993

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