This film was done without special effects or wires. Most of the actors also trained in Martial Arts, not just fighting for the movies.
This was done as another making of the character behind Fist of Fury that Bruce Lee starred in. This film, although good for its time, lacked any depth, and the fighting was choreographed to show simple basic fighting methods.
Fist of Legends star was from JingWu (Chin Woo, Jing Mo), and studied Traditional Chinese Martial Arts, Bruce Lee never did, and dedicated a tombstone to the death of TCMA. Jet Li has an extensive background in TCMA.
The only exposure that Bruce Lee had to TCMA and Jing Mo, was the private match from Jing Mo member Grandmaster Wong Jack Man, resulting in Lees later death.
The film, Fist of Legend; was about honour and respect. When Wong Jack Man went to shake Bruce Lees hand at the beginning of the match, as is always done; Lee attacked his eyes instead; changing this competition to a deadly assault. Bruce Lee knew nothing about respect or honour.
Exceptional interviews with actors and director on DVD.
Shows what is in common at the highest level of Martial Arts.
There were Japanese Martial Artists and many Japanese actors in a Chinese film about the Japanese occupation. This is due to the well rounded approach of the film, showing both the bad and good in nationalistic movements.
This has many other lessons about ending prejudice, and fighting it in a manner that stops it, rather than generating a backlash reaction.
This is not to say that the different styles should join schools, rather respect each other, and learn from every encounter. To adapt, rather than stonewall, or being dogmatic; is using intelligence and heart.
When Chen is arrested and placed on trial for allegedly murdering Akutagawa; several “witnesses” provide false and conflicting accounts of the murder. The court refuses to accept testimony from any Chinese defense witnesses claiming bias towards Chen. Mitsuko arrives and testifies that Chen is innocent because he spent the night with her, and the court accepts her false testimony because she is Japanese.
Chen is exonerated, but his apparent relationship with Mitsuko ruins his reputation, as the Chinese view it as an act of treachery. Huo Ting’en and the senior Jingwu members demand that Chen either leaves Mitsuko or leaves the school, and Huo uses the opportunity to settle his personal vendetta against Chen by challenging Chen to a fight. Chen defeats Huo
One of the best films ever made, a literary and Martial Arts classic.