Again, China, circa 1900, is under attack by the invading Japanese. This time the Ping Pai Boxing Institute is raided by the Judo experts from Japan. The violence depicted in this film is merciless, and the villain, James Nam, is depicted as most treacherous, looting, raping, killing, and all for the most eagerly awaited show down that carries on far too long.

Director Chang Yi Hu sets this film as somewhat a companion piece to Cheng Chang Ho's King Boxer, and most of the actors are in both films. The Shaw Studios once again provide nice set pieces, and the camera work is pretty above average. The fight choreography, by Liang Shao Sung, is a bit sub-Shaw standard. The production could have benefited from Tang Chai's excellent work or even Liu Chia Liang. Thunderbolt Fist's title is a bit misleading also, seeing the hero train with this deadly technique, only to defeat the enemy with a death move that has to be seen to be believed! Upon my initial viewing of this film, I found myself rewinding just to make certain I did see what has to be the most violent come-uppance a Japanese villain has ever met!

If you enjoy The Chinese vs Japanese theme in Kung Fu lore, check out Thunderbolt Fist, you'll get quite a 'KICK' out of it!!!!

The documentary starts off with a statement that Lee, like so many stars, had a fatal flaw, which ultimately lead to his demise. We revisit his childhood film career, with highlights that bring us up to date on his adult career. When this begins we're treated to re-enactments from our old friend Bruce Li's shipshod, imitation filmclips. My guess here is with all the unauthorized information, licensing for authentic Lee film material was likely denied. We're given instead interviews with distant friends, co-stars, and for the first time, the very physicians who revived Lee after his near fatal May '73 collapse. Quite surprisingly these men were never interviewed prior to this documentary. Lee's use of cannabis, specificly hashish, autopsy reports, and final hours, even after he expired, are chronologized.

Another highlight of this gem is interviews, on cam, with Brandon, his son, prior to his death. Brandon appears to have a charismatic appeal maybe his dad never had, and is a truly tragic figure in his own right. Many hardcore Lee fans may not take to DBM:COTD. However, keep in mind there's more truth here that leaves a bad taste simply because the information wasn't released in '73, when time could have eventually smoothed the edges; and likely, the " King Of Kung Fu's " legacy may have been judged slightly differently. For content only, poor production values...

There was something about Wang Yu--no fighting skills, same arrogant attitude each film, no personality--but I dig the dude's movies. In this one he kicks arse!!!!!

The production values are very low budget, and the settings come directly from "The One Armed Boxer", most likely filmed back to back.

The low values set the stage for more fist to fist combat, featuring knives, furniture, lime, and the abuse of a kid that sets the culture back a century or two...

A lot of the same actors from OAB turn up as well.

We get the feeling that Yung Cheng was a badass, and started fights because he loved fighting, and fighting for those who couldn't or wouldn't. This leads to his famous encounters with axes!

The soundtrack plays in my head long after viewing this film every time, because it plays every time a fight takes place, which is about every five minutes.

Hey, I don't know why I like his films, but Wang Yu was cool--I guess in the same way Charles Bronsan was cool, and we don't know why we like his films either, right? Right??

For starters, I'm a lifelong admirer of the Martial Arts film, my dad introducing my brothers and I to these films when we were all 5, 8,& 9 years old. We were enchanted with the eastern way of fighting, even if most films incorrectly depicted real kung fu.

Jet Li's performance in Fearless is an example of an artist expanding his horizons with him having a few western films under his belt, and having worked with a few A-list stars has really paid off for him. In my opinion, if he had not made, Danny the Dog, his performance here might have suffered.

Hua Yuan Cha, the founder of Ching Wu Boxing school of Martial Arts, was a man with a unique vision, at a time when the Chinese were downtrodden, and viewed as a weak race of mankind. With his physical skill, he managed to inspire his fellow countrymen to hone their bodies and use their fighting prowess to protect their country against hostile aggressors, as well as maintaining great physical health and exercise, combining all of the known combative arts of the Chinese people, and teaching his people to not make aggression toward fellow men. The true meaning of Martial Arts.

Jet Li, who is now the same age as master Hua when the master died, delivers an acting performance by a Kung Fu film star that hasn't been seen before now, and will probably not be credited for it, however, Fearless is now at the top of my list as the best Martial Arts film ever. Ever, period. It's not about the choreography, by the great Yuen Wo Ping, production values, or settings, which are all very nice. It's the spirit of the story, and the film itself. If he were to never make another MA epic, this is the one film I've waited on since the promise of what may come died years ago with Bruce Lee.

I choose not to write an in depth commentary on the film, however, take note I try to be as sincere with my take on these films as possible. As much as I enjoy these films, I do not give 5 star reviews often, and as I've stated earlier, this is a film that represents the BEST of this genre and all it has to offer.

Hats off to Ronny Yu, Jet Li, Yuen Wo Ping, and all who contributed to this fine production. Fearless is a film that anyone with even the slightest interests in Martial Arts and MA films in particular, should check out and enjoy it for the spirit of a man known as Hua Yuan Cha.

The action by Tang Chia, and Liu Chia Liang is very precise in its depiction of the Shaolin styles from that era. Many originally thought the scenes to be too crafty and "stylish", however, this is the true way those fist forms are performed. Each fighter performs to their natural capabilities, Chen Kuan Tai especially showing strength behind every punch, grasp, and kick.

These men also seemed so comfortable playing each character, no wonder they were brought back for future sequels, resuming the roles.

Not much room for women here as the "brotherhood" came first and foremost!

"Men From The Monastery" is a traditional, classic film from an era before the acrobatics of JC, and WP, and loaded with the type of charismatic performances that producers today would kill for.