Subscription
Art of Action
Throwing you into the explosive world of action stunt-work.
Early action films, such as the stunt-filled works of Buster Keaton, introduced audiences to chase sequences, protagonists in peril and literal cliffhangers, and would have a great influence on directors that would follow. In the BFI's nationwide season we will be throwing you into the explosive world of action stunt-work; from these early pioneers to the boundary-pushing films of Hong Kong through to today’s new wave of action stars. Experience the genre through the ages with a selection of cult classics to lesser-known gems from around the world.
With the advent of computer generated effects, action films have evolved radically and while audiences may think that a lot can and is done digitally, the likes of Jackie Chan, Michele Yeoh and Keanu Reeves have dedicated themselves to doing ‘action for real’ to give audiences unparalleled thrills.
Police StoryPolice Story
Martial arts1985101 minsDirector: Jackie Chan
Jackie Chan's mind-blowing, high-octane extravaganza of death-defying stunts and action comedy.
Run Lola RunRun Lola Run
Drama199880 minsDirector: Tom Tykwer
Tom Tykwer’s breathtaking time-loop thriller, with a terrific Franka Potente as the titular runner attempting to save her boyfriend.
A Touch of ZenA Touch of Zen
Action and Adventure1971179 minsDirector: King Hu
King Hu's epic swordplay saga combines ghost story, martial arts mastery and Buddhist mythology to stunning, hypnotic effect.
Crouching Tiger, Hidden DragonCrouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
Martial arts2000120 minsDirector: Ang Lee
Ang Lee’s exquisitely choreographed Oscar-winning epic, starring Chow Yun-fat, Michelle Yeoh and Ziyi Zhang on a quest to recover a stolen sword.
Eastern CondorsEastern Condors
Crime198798 minsDirector: Sammo Hung Kam-bo
Sammo Hung directs and stars in this high-kicking tribute to The Dirty Dozen, which sees ten convicts offered amnesty if the undertake a deadly mission behind enemy lines in Vietnam to destroy a top-secret munitions dump
Seven SamuraiSeven Samurai
Drama1954207 minsDirector: Akira Kurosawa
Farmers hire a band of samurai to defend them against marauding bandits in Kurosawa’s influential epic, a touchstone for action movies ever since.
Battleship PotemkinBattleship Potemkin
Historical drama192569 minsSilentDirector: Sergei M. Eisenstein
A fixture in the critical canon almost since its premiere, Eisenstein’s film about a 1905 naval mutiny was revolutionary in both form and content.
Leonor Will Never DieLeonor Will Never Die
Drama202299 minsDirector: Martika Ramirez Escobar
As she lays in a coma, Leonor becomes the hero of her own story in this gleeful celebration of pulpy Filipino action films.
Sherlock Jr.Sherlock Jr.
Comedy192445 minsDirector: Buster Keaton
Buster Keaton's superb, sophisticated silent comedy in which he dreams himself into the movie he's watching, in order to win back his girl.
Kajaki: The True StoryKajaki: The True Story
War2014108 minsDirector: Paul Katis
A unit of British paratroopers in Afghanistan become caught in a minefield, unable to move or help their injured colleagues, in this unbearably tense thriller.