Watch Boxer Rebellion

Boxer Rebellion is a 1976, martial arts film directed by Chang Cheh and produced by Mona Fong. The movie is set in China, during the Boxer Rebellion in 1900, which was a violent uprising against foreign imperialists and Chinese Christians. The film's cast includes several Shaw Brothers Studio's stalwarts such as Li Hua Li, Sheng Fu, and Ka-Yan Leung.

The storyline is set around two rival martial arts schools, the Ching Wu School and the rival inn side school. The Ching Wu School is founded by a Ming dynasty General, while the inn side school was established by three fighters who are followers and practitioners of the late Qing Dynasty. The two schools, situated near the Foreign Concession, are in hot pursuit of a fugitive who has reportedly been smuggled in by the Europeans.

The two schools have their priorities set- the Ching Wu School is more patriotic, and they are willing to risk anything to save China from the foreign invaders. On the other hand, the inn side school prioritizes their individual situations: they regard the rebellion as the Chinese deposed government and center in order to take advantage of the chaos happening. Between the schools is a fierce competition, and insults are exchanged as they vie for who will gain the upper hand.

The story is told in a somewhat non-linear fashion, with intermittent action scenes that add to the suspense of the main story. The visuals and performances are top-notch, and the martial arts featured are a testament to the skill of the movie's martial artists. The fighting styles are diverse, with techniques ranging from hard-hitting punches to the fluid footwork required for flying kicks.

The action moves at a steady pace, with the first half of the movie being somewhat slow-moving but providing essential background information. The second half is more action-packed as the two rival schools focus on their primary objective: to find the fugitive, which ultimately leads to an epic battle.

Li Hua Li plays Nan Kuan, a member of the Ching Wu School, who is tasked with leading the school to victory in the battleground against the foreign imperialists. His character is well-developed, and it's a delight to watch him on screen. He is a natural leader, an excellent fighter, and has a charming personality. Sheng Fu's character, Erh Kuei, is part of the innside School, and he is a formidable adversary, with more than a few tricks up his sleeve. Ka-Yan Leung's character, Feng Xiwu, is the traitor among the Ching Wu School members who plays a pivotal role in the climax of the movie.

The movie's production design is excellent. The sets are well-made and detailed, and the costume design suits the film's period. The camera work is also quite impressive, with the martial arts scenes being expertly choreographed and captured to maximize their impact.

The soundtrack is another standout aspect of the film, with the score providing the right atmosphere for each scene. The film successfully blends traditional Chinese music with modern elements, which adds to the movie's overall appeal.

In conclusion, Boxer Rebellion is an enjoyable martial arts movie that skillfully navigates its way around the complex period-piece drama that it serves it with. The audience is sure to appreciate the choreography, which is both action-packed and elegant, and the cinematography, which is high-quality throughout the movie. It's worth watching for anyone interested in martial arts movies or historical fiction coming from Asia.

Boxer Rebellion is a 2015 action movie with a runtime of 2 hours and 16 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.2.