Fearless (2006)
“Huo Yuan Jia”
“Jet Li’s Fearless”
Action, Biography, Drama |
Fearless is a Chinese-Hong Kong martial arts film directed by Ronny Yu and starring Jet Li. It is loosely based on the life of Huo Yuanjia, a Chinese martial artist who challenged foreign fighters in highly publicized events, restoring pride and nationalism to China at a time when Western imperialism and Japanese manipulation were eroding the country in the final years of the Qing Dynasty before the birth of the Republic of China. Li stated in an interview that the film was his last wushu martial arts epic, a point also made in the film’s television promotions and other publicity.
Fearless was released on 26 January 2006 in Hong Kong, on 23 June 2006 in the United Kingdom, and on 22 September 2006 in the United States.
The film begins with Huo Yuanjia fighting and defeating three Westerners: a British boxer, a Belgian lancer, and a Spanish fencer. While waiting for the fourth match to begin, Huo remembers his father Huo Endi teaching martial arts. The story is then told in an extended flashback. Watching his father fight, the young Yuanjia wants to participate, but his father is concerned about his asthma.
Yuanjia sees his father in a match with Zhao, who dishonorably won by retaliating when Huo Endi held back a fatal blow. Humiliated by his father’s defeat, Huo Yuanjia vows to regain the Huo family’s honor and pride. He practices martial arts behind his father’s back. As time goes by, Huo Yuanjia defeats several opponents (including Zhao’s son) and becomes a famous martial artist in Tianjin. As he becomes successful, he grows arrogant and ruthless towards his opponents, unlike his late father who advocated showing mercy to opponents. This also leads to Huo gaining many followers and getting himself into financial trouble by spending his family’s money on drinking and partying.
Director: Ronny Yu
Writers: Chris Chow, Richard Epcar, Chi-long To
Stars: Jet Li, Li Sun, Yong Dong, Yun Qu, Ailing Xu, Collin Chou, Hee Ching Paw
Cast:
| Jet Li | … | Huo Yuanjia |
| Li Sun | … | Moon |
| Yong Dong | … | Nong Jinsun |
| Yun Qu | … | Grandma |
| Ailing Xu | … | Jade |
| Collin Chou | … | Yuanjia’s Father |
| Hee Ching Paw | … | Yuanjia’s Mother |
| Nathan Jones | … | Hercules O’Brien |
| Shidô Nakamura | … | Anno Tanaka |
| Brandon Rhea | … | Belgian Fighter |
| Anthony De Longis | … | Spanish Swordman |
| Jean Claude Leuyer | … | English Boxer |
| Zhi-Hui Chen | … | Master Chin |
| Jacky Heung | … | Master Chin’s Godson |
| Zhigang Zhao | … | Zhou’s Father |
| Masato Harada | … | Mita |
| Jon T. Benn | … | American Businessman |
| John Paisley | … | English Businessman |
| Graeme Ford | … | English Businessman |
| Samantha Buck | … | Journalist |
| Mike Leeder | … | Fight Referee |
| Jun Li | … | Judge |
| Jason C. Lin | … | Presenter |
| Fusheng Chen | … | Xu Dashan |
| Yong Cheng | … | Twin Brother: Tall |
| Shaohang Guo | … | Master Braid |
| Ju He | … | Town Idiot |
| Sirong He | … | Master Chin’s wife |
| Chao Li | … | Swordsman |
| Licheng Liu | … | Ah-Qiang |
| Jing Ma | … | Yuangia’s Disciple |
| Scott Ma | … | Zhou |
| Yin Ma | … | Master Chin’s daughter |
| Dave Mallow | … | Nong Jinsun (voice) |
| Philippe Millieret | … | French Businessman |
| Yi Qian | … | Westener? |
| Jian Shi | … | Twin Brother: Short |
| Shuo Song | … | Yuangia’s Disciple |
| Leqiu Sun | … | Accountant |
| Leung Ting | … | Lai |
| Qi Wang | … | Gui |
| Binghua Wei | … | Yuangia’s Disciple |
| Dashen Xu | … | Fusheng Chen |
| Yonghai Xu | … | Yuangia’s Disciple |
| Sean Eden Yi | … | Zhensheng Liu (as Shixiong Yi) |
| Tieying Zhao | … | Yuangia’s Disciple |
| Shiming Zheng | … | Xia Xiang (intro) |
| Somrak Khamsing | … | Muaythai (uncredited) |
| Drago Lazetich | … | British Boxer (uncredited) |
| Ian Powers | … | Bellboy (uncredited) |
| Michelle Yeoh | … | Miss Yang (uncredited) |
Sources: imdb & wikipedia