Between 1949 and 1960, the Hong Kong film industry produced more than 50 films based on the life of Wong Fei Hung, a Chinese martial artist and folk hero who lived in early twentieth century China.
Some Chinese kung fu movies feature not only unarmed martial arts action, but also sword fights, romance and historical settings. Others, such as the films of Jackie Chan, blend kung fu action with comedy. Still others showcase kung fu fights in gritty crime drama settings.
A series of films that starred a young actor and kung fu expert named Bruce Lee brought international attention to kung fu movies and made Lee a star. Lee's best known film, "Enter the Dragon," was released in 1973, shortly after his death.
Martial arts instructors have pivotal roles in the production of kung fu movies. They choreograph many of the fight scenes and are almost as important as the films' directors.
The folk hero Wong Fei Hung continues to be portrayed in kung fu movies. The epic "Once Upon a Time in China" series in the 1990s starred Jet Li as Wong Fei Hung.
Many kung fu movies were influenced by American westerns. Today, the influence of kung fu movies can be seen in the work of filmmakers such as John Woo and Quentin Tarantino.