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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.
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The Big BossThe Big Boss
Action and Adventure1971100 minsDirector: Lo Wei
Bruce Lee plays the factory worker who takes on a drug-smuggling gang, in the breakthrough film that catapulted him to cinematic superstardom.
Heroes Shed No TearsHeroes Shed No Tears
Action and Adventure198489 minsDirector: John Woo
Master action director John Woo presents this ferociously violent tale of a group of mercenaries sent to capture a drug baron.
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.
Point BreakPoint Break
Action and Adventure1991122 minsDirector: Kathryn Bigelow
Kathryn Bigelow’s pulse-pounding action thriller and heady bromance, with Keanu Reeves and Patrick Swayze.
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.
Way of the DragonWay of the Dragon
Drama197299 minsDirector: Bruce Lee Siu-lung
Bruce Lee faces off against Chuck Norris in his only completed directorial work, and arguably his most personal film.
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.
HapkidoHapkido
Action and Adventure197298 minsDirector: Huang Feng
Two martial arts schools battle it out in Huang Feng’s action classic (aka Lady Kung Fu), starring long term collaborator and combat master, Angela Mao.
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.
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.
Armour of GodArmour of God
Comedy198699 minsDirector: Jackie Chan
Jackie Chan takes inspiration from Indiana Jones as he becomes embroiled in a dangerous quest to retrieve a lost treasure.
The Street FighterThe Street Fighter
Action and Adventure197491 minsDirector: Shigehiro Ozawa
Legendary martial artist Sonny Chiba stars in this cult karate classic that's revered by Quentino Tarantino.
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.
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.
Fist of FuryFist of Fury
Action and Adventure1972106 minsDirector: Lo Wei
Bruce Lee's second kung fu picture is a gloriously thrilling revenge saga brimming with spectacular fight scenes.
Police StoryPolice Story
Martial arts1985101 minsDirector: Jackie Chan
Jackie Chan's mind-blowing, high-octane extravaganza of death-defying stunts and action comedy.
China O'BrienChina O'Brien
Action and Adventure199191 minsDirector: Robert Clouse
Cynthia Rothrock stars as the tough city cop and martial artist on the trail of a local crime boss, in this action classic from the director of Enter the Dragon.
Project AProject A
Action and Adventure1983106 minsDirector: Jackie Chan
Jackie Chan’s rip-roaring action-adventure about a coastguard hot on the trail of a ruthless band of pirates in late 19th century Hong Kong.
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.