The Bare-Footed Kid

Last updated

The Bare-Footed Kid
TheBare-FootedKid.jpg
DVD cover
Chinese name
Traditional Chinese 赤腳小子
Simplified Chinese 赤脚小子
Directed by Johnnie To
Screenplay by Yau Nai-hoi
Story bySandy Shaw
Produced by Mona Fong
Starring Aaron Kwok
Maggie Cheung
Ti Lung
Jacklyn Wu
CinematographyHorace Wong
Edited byWong Wing-ming
Music byWilliam Wu
Production
company
Cosmopolitan Film
Distributed byNewport Entertainment
Release date
3 April 1993 (1993-04-03)
Running time
90 minutes
CountryHong Kong
Language Cantonese
Box officeHK$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]

Contents

Plot

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

Music

Theme song

Insert theme

Release

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

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

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

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bronze Bauhinia Star</span> Hong Kong service award

The Bronze Bauhinia Star is the lowest rank in Order of the Bauhinia Star in Hong Kong, created in 1997 to replace the British honours system of the Order of the British Empire after the transfer of sovereignty to People's Republic of China and the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR).

A list of awards given to members of the Hong Kong Civil Service:

<i>Journey to the West</i> (1996 TV series) Hong Kong fantasy television series

Journey to the West is a Hong Kong television series adapted from the 16th-century novel of the same title. Starring Dicky Cheung, Kwong Wah, Wayne Lai and Evergreen Mak, the series was produced by TVB and was first broadcast on TVB Jade in Hong Kong in November 1996. A sequel, Journey to the West II, was broadcast in 1998, but the role of the Monkey King was played by Benny Chan instead, due to contract problems between Dicky Cheung and TVB. Cheung later reprised the role in another television series The Monkey King: Quest for the Sutra (2002), which was broadcast on TVB but not produced by the station.

<i>The Legend of the Condor Heroes</i> (1994 TV series) Hong Kong TV series or program

The Legend of the Condor Heroes is a Hong Kong television series adapted from Louis Cha's novel of the same title. The series was first broadcast on TVB Jade in 1994.

<i>The Duke of Mount Deer</i> (1984 Hong Kong TV series) Hong Kong TV series or program

The Duke of Mount Deer is a Hong Kong television series adapted from Louis Cha's novel The Deer and the Cauldron, produced by TVB and starring Andy Lau and Tony Leung. It was first aired on TVB Jade in from 9 July to 31 August 1984.

<i>The Legend of the Book and the Sword</i> (1987 TV series) Hong Kong TV series or program

The Legend of the Book and Sword is a Hong Kong television series adapted from Louis Cha's novel The Book and the Sword. The series was first aired on TVB in Hong Kong in 1987.

<i>The Condor Heroes Return</i> Hong Kong TV series or program

The Condor Heroes Return is a Hong Kong television series loosely based on the stories of two characters in Louis Cha's novel The Legend of the Condor Heroes. The series was released overseas in October 1993 before broadcasting on TVB Jade in Hong Kong in March 1994.

<i>The Condor Heroes 95</i> Hong Kong TV series or program

The Condor Heroes 95 is a Hong Kong television series adapted from Louis Cha's novel The Return of the Condor Heroes. It was first broadcast on TVB Jade in Hong Kong in 1995. Many of the cast from The Legend of the Condor Heroes (1994) reprised their roles in this series, such as Lau Dan and Wayne Lai. In addition, Jason Pai reprised his breakthrough role as Kwok Ching, whom he previously portrayed in The Legend of the Condor Heroes (1976) and The Return of the Condor Heroes (1976).

<i>New Heavenly Sword and Dragon Sabre</i> Hong Kong TV series or program

New Heavenly Sword and Dragon Sabre is a Hong Kong television series adapted from Louis Cha's novel The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber. The series was first broadcast on TVB Jade in Hong Kong in 1986.

<i>State of Divinity</i> (1996 TV series) Hong Kong TV series or program

State of Divinity is a Hong Kong television series adapted from Louis Cha's novel The Smiling, Proud Wanderer. It was first broadcast on TVB in Hong Kong in 1996.

<i>Crimson Sabre</i> Hong Kong TV series or program

Crimson Sabre is a Hong Kong television series adapted from Louis Cha's novel Sword Stained with Royal Blood. The series was first broadcast on TVB in Hong Kong in 2000.

<i>Gods of Honour</i> Hong Kong television series

Gods of Honour is a Hong Kong television series adapted from the 16th-century novel Fengshen Bang, a Chinese vernacular classic written by Xu Zhonglin and Lu Xixing. The series was first aired on TVB Jade in Hong Kong in 2001. It starred Benny Chan, Chin Kar-lok, Irene Wan, Michelle Ye, Dickson Lee, Yuen Wah, Kingdom Yuen and Winnie Yeung in the lead roles.

<i>The Mystery of the Condor Hero</i> Hong Kong TV series or program

The Mystery of the Condor Hero is a Hong Kong television series adapted from Louis Cha's novel The Legend of the Condor Heroes. It was first broadcast on TVB Jade in Hong Kong in 1993.

<i>The Return of the Condor Heroes</i> (1976 TV series) Hong Kong TV series or program

The Return of the Condor Heroes is a Hong Kong television series adapted from Louis Cha's novel of the same title. It was first broadcast on CTV in 1976 in Hong Kong.

<i>The Legend of the Condor Heroes</i> (1976 TV series) Hong Kong TV series or program

The Legend of the Condor Heroes is a Hong Kong television series adapted from Louis Cha's novel of the same title. The series was first broadcast on CTV in Hong Kong in 1976.

<i>The Duke of Mount Deer</i> (1998 TV series) Hong Kong television series

The Duke of Mount Deer is a Hong Kong television series adapted from Louis Cha's novel The Deer and the Cauldron. It was first aired on TVB in Hong Kong in 1998.

<i>Wars of Bribery</i> Hong Kong TV series or program

Wars of Bribery is a 1996 Hong Kong crime television series produced by TVB that aired on its channel TVB Jade from 10 June to 5 July 1996. This drama is also that final series that stars Aaron Kwok and Athena Chu filmed for the television station.

<i>Man from Guangdong</i> 1991 Hong Kong martial arts television series

Man from Guangdong is a 1991 Hong Kong martial arts television series produced by TVB and tells the story of Leung Kan, portrayed by Aaron Kwok, the fictitious son of famed martial artist Leung Foon, whom was a favored disciple of folk hero Wong Fei-hung, portrayed by Shih Kien. Shih, who portrayed Wong in the series, was known for portraying antagonists in a series of Wong Fei-hung-related films during the 1940s to 1970s, while the series also features Sai Gwa-Pau reprising his role as "Buckteeth So" from the aforementioned series of films.

References

  1. 1 2 "Far East Films - Reviews - The Bare-Footed Kid".
  2. 1 2 "REVIEW: Bare-Footed Kid, The (1993)".
  3. ↑ "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
  4. ↑ "THE BARE-FOOTED KID DVD-review".
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.