The Bare-Footed Kid

The Bare-Footed Kid

DVD cover
Traditional 赤腳小子
Simplified 赤脚小子
Mandarin Chì Jiǎo Xiǎo Zi
Cantonese Cek3 Geok3 Siu2 Zi2
Directed by Johnnie To
Produced by Mona Fong
Screenplay by Yau Nai-hoi
Story by Sandy Shaw
Starring Aaron Kwok
Maggie Cheung
Ti Lung
Jacklyn Wu
Music by William Wu
Cinematography Horace Wong
Edited by Wong Wing-ming
Production
company
Cosmopolitan Film
Distributed by Newport Entertainment
Release dates
 3 April 1993 (1993-04-03)
Running time
 90 minutes
Country Hong Kong
Language Cantonese
Box office HK$3,973,198

The Bare-Footed Kid is a 1993 Hong Kong martial arts film directed by Johnnie To and starring Aaron Kwok, Maggie Cheung, Ti Lung and Jacklyn Wu. The film is a remake of the 1977 film Disciples of Shaolin which was directed by Chang Cheh.[1][2]

Plot

After the death of his father, the poor and illiterate Kwan Fung-yiu (Aaron Kwok) goes out to the provincial capital to seek refuge from Tuen Ching-wan (Ti Lung), a friend of his deceased father, and works in a dye factory, the "Four Seasons Weaver". The political situation in the capital is tense. With his superior identity as a Manchurian, Hak Wo-po (Kenneth Tsang, owner of the "Tin Lung Spinner", dominates the city and set up a gambling den where he sends his workers to fight with workers of "Four Seasons Weave". The newly appointed magistrate Yuen Tin-yau (Cheung Siu-fai) and his instructor Mr. Wah (Paul Chun) want to eradicate Hak, but they do not have enough evidence to bring him to justice. Later, Tin-yau meets Pak Siu-kwan (Maggie Cheung), the owner of "Four Seasons Weaver" and Wah's daughter Lin (Jacklyn Wu). Then it was revealed that Tuen was a fugitive who changed his name and hid in the dye factory to avoid arrest and developed affection towards Pak. Fung-yiu and Lin also develops a mutual bond after an incident.

"Tin Lung Spinners" had always been inferior to "Four Seasons Weaver". Feeling vengeful, Hak sets "Four Seasons Weave" on fire to vent his anger. Fung-yiu, who is witless, dazed and confused, gets up to the fighting arena, and was lured by Hak where he kills his friend's father. Fung-yiu had fallen further and further into a quagmire of confusion. He also reveals Tuen's past identity as a killer and Tuen is wanted by officials. Fortunately, Yuen Tin-yau's discerning eyes can tell greatness from Fung-yiu, and they work together to defeat the "Dragon Place". However, Tuen was unfortunately ambushed by Hak where he swallowed poison and shot to death by millions of arrows. Fung-yiu hurried off to save Tuen, but it was too late by then.

Cast

Music

Theme song

Insert theme

Reception

Critical

The Bare-Footed Kid received generally positive reviews. Ard Vijn of Twitch Film writes "it's not a classic by any means but it's a fun movie that definitely has its moments. Fans of either Aaron Kwok, Ti Lung or Maggie Cheung won't be disappointed."[3] Mark Polland of Kung Fu Cinema rated it 4 out of 5 stars and writes The Bare-Footed Kid is a thoughtful kung fu film with an unusually strong story that winningly delivers a message that strength and fighting ability are useless without morality and sound judgment.[2] Andrew Saroch of Far East Films also rated film 4 out of 5 stars and writes "while not as good as Disciples of Shaolin, Bare-Footed Kid is an excellent film and like its inspiration, operates of a number of levels."[1]

Box office

The film grossed HK$3,973,198 at the Hong Kong box office during its theatrical run from 3 to 14 April 1993.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Far East Films - Reviews - The Bare-Footed Kid".
  2. 1 2 "REVIEW: Bare-Footed Kid, The (1993)".
  3. ↑ "THE BARE-FOOTED KID DVD-review".
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