Watch The Shadow Boxing

The Shadow Boxing is a 1979 martial arts film from Hong Kong, directed by Yueng Kuen, and features a stellar cast including Yue Wong, Cecilia Wong, and Chia-Hui Liu. The film follows the story of Ah Choi (Yue Wong), a young man who dreams of becoming a great martial artist like his father (Kwan Tak-hing), who left him when he was a child to pursue his art. Ah Choi is taken under the wing of his father's friend, Uncle Liang (Yuen Siu-tien), who teaches him the art of Shaolin boxing. Ah Choi grows to be a skilled fighter, but he struggles with the constraints placed upon him as a young man in a conservative society.

The film is set in the early 1900s during the late Qing dynasty in China. We are introduced to Ah Choi during his teen years, struggling with his newfound martial arts abilities and his social status. He is looked down upon by his peers, who believe he isn't worthy of their praise, but he persists in his quest to become a great fighter. He trains with Uncle Liang, who teaches him the principles of Shaolin boxing, such as the importance of discipline, patience, and humility.

Ah Choi's training is not easy, and he is often challenged by other fighters who want to test his skills. However, he remains focused on his goal of becoming a great fighter and continues to train hard. Along the way, Ah Choi meets two women who will play a pivotal role in his life. The first is Lily (Cecilia Wong), a beautiful girl who works at a local teahouse. Ah Choi falls in love with Lily but knows that he cannot be with her due to their different social standings. The second is a young girl (Michelle Yim) who is being held captive by a local gang. Ah Choi rescues her, and they become friends.

As the story progresses, Ah Choi encounters a group of fighters who belong to the rival White Lotus sect. They are violent and aggressive and have been terrorizing the community. Ah Choi battles them and proves to be a formidable opponent. The White Lotus members are so impressed with his skills that they invite him to join their group.

Ah Choi is conflicted by this offer. He knows that the White Lotus is a dangerous group that uses violence to achieve their goals. He also knows that Uncle Liang would be disappointed if he joined the White Lotus. Ah Choi must make a decision that will impact the rest of his life.

The Shadow Boxing is a beautiful film that explores the themes of honor, loyalty, and perseverance. Ah Choi struggles with his identity, torn between his desire to become a great fighter and his love for Lily, whom he cannot be with due to his social status. The film also touches on the theme of tradition versus modernity. Ah Choi's father left him to pursue his art, which was not respected by society. Ah Choi, however, wants to make a mark for himself in the world, despite the constraints placed upon him by the conservative society in which he lives.

The action scenes in the film are top-notch and showcase the incredible martial arts skills of the cast. Chia-Hui Liu, who plays a senior Shaolin monk, also known as San Te, delivers an impressive performance during the fight scenes. The film's fight scenes are choreographed by renowned martial arts choreographer Yuen Woo-ping, who has worked on numerous other kung-fu films in Hong Kong.

The Shadow Boxing is a classic kung-fu film that has stood the test of time. The film explores complex themes and features some stunning action sequences. The cast is superb, and each actor delivers a nuanced performance that adds depth to the story. The film's climactic final fight scene is one of the best in kung-fu film history and will leave viewers on the edge of their seats. Overall, The Shadow Boxing is a must-see for any kung-fu film enthusiast.

The Shadow Boxing is a 1979 action movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 36 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.7.