The Magnificent Butcher (林世榮). 1979. Hong Kong. Directed by Yuen Woo-ping. Martial arts direction by Yuen Woo-ping, Sammo Hung. With Sammo Hung, Kwan Tak-hing, Yuen Biao. DCP courtesy Janus Films. In Cantonese; English subtitles. 108 min.
Yuen Woo-ping’s The Magnificent Butcher stars Sammo Hung as Lam Sai-wing, the boisterous disciple of legendary martial-arts master Wong Fei-hung (Kwan Tak-hing), who becomes embroiled in a deadly feud while his teacher is away. Following the remarkable success of Drunken Master (1978), Yuen further developed his exuberant fusion of kung fu and comedy, while giving Hung a defining showcase for his extraordinary agility and impeccable comedic touch. Co-choreographed by Yuen and Hung, the action turns martial-arts virtuosity into physical comedy without sacrificing technical precision. Kwan’s appearance as Wong Fei-hung also provides a memorable meeting of two generations of kung fu cinema.