Introduction
I consider myself a martial artist, and I try to acknowledge both parts of that identify. Martial. Artist. The martial techniques are important, but I also appreciate the art behind the movement. The story that it can tell. I appreciate those that make me stop and remember the dual aspect of being a martial artist. I can think of two people that have excelled at presenting the art, the story, of martial techniques to a general audience. I wrote about one of them last month, and I am honored this month to write about Yuen Woo-Ping.
Foundations of a Sword Master
Yuen Woo-Ping was born in 1945, in China, into a well-known martial arts family. His father, Yuen Siu-tien, was a martial arts film actor who studied in the Peking Opera style and worked with famous actors like Jackie Chan. The influence of his father, who was also his teacher, can be seen in Yuen Woo-Ping’s discipline and rhythm. His ability to tell a story through movement allowed him to excel as both a director and action choreographer.
Transforming Swordplay in Cinema
Early Sword Work in Hong Kong Cinema
Yuen Woo-Ping received his first directorial credit in the film Snake in the Eagle’s Shadow (1978), which starred Jackie Chan. It was, however, the film Iron Monkey (1993), starring Donnie Yen, that allowed him to reach a global market. While Iron Monkey (1993) is not a “sword movie”, it does include fight sequences demonstrating the jian and the dao, and displays Yuen Woo-Ping’s philosophy of the sword as narrative expression and not just for combat. This philosophy continues to develop through his later films.
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny
Twenty-three years later, Yuen Woo-Ping directed a movie that influenced my understanding of the role of the sword in film, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny (2016). You can read my review of that film here, but for this article, I want to focus on Yuen Woo-Ping and his influence on the fight choreography. The wirework in this film, and in the original Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000) for which Yuen Woo-Ping was also the fight choreographer, are classic examples of his work. These films demonstrate his ability to incorporate poetic movements into a fight scene. He utilizes long take sword sequences as a storytelling device, emphasizing the importance of the sword, Green Destiny, and the emotional stakes of each fights. In addition to directing and choreographing the sword fights, Yuen Woo-Ping also trained Natasha Liu Bordizzo, who starred as Snow Vase, in Wudang sword for the film.
In a cinematic landscape filled with films incorporating quick cutaways during sword fights, the works of Yuen Woo-Ping stand out.
Global Influence: Bridging East and West
After global successes such as Iron Monkey (1993) and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000), Yuen Woo-Ping was hired to bring his unique fight choreography to Hollywood. He was the fight choreographer for the first three The Matrix movies (The Matrix (1999), The Matrix Reloaded (2003), and The Matrix Revolutions (2003)), which starred Keanu Reeves. Keanu Reeves had his directorial debut with Man of Tai Chi (2013) in which Yuen Woo-Ping has an uncredited acting role and served as the action director along with Tiger Chen and the stunt group 8711. Yuen Woo-Ping was also part of the Kill Bill franchise (Kill Bill: Volume 1 (2003) and Kill Bill: Volume 2 (2004)), working with Tetsuro Shimaguchi to train Uma Thurman and others for their fight scenes.
Legacy of a Modern Sword Master
Yuen Woo-Ping’s impact on how the depiction of the sword in film has had a global impact. His “Hong Kong style” is respected by top filmmakers, actors, and stunt crews. His unique style is recognizable for its use of the sword as a character, as an integral part of the story, and not just a tool. In the movie Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny (2016), Yu Shu-Lien, played by Michelle Yeoh, says, “It is said that a swordsman’s name will last for twenty years beyond his passing. But I believe that some names will live forever.” It is these words that make me think we will always remember the sword stories of people like Bob Anderson and Yuen Woo-Ping.
- Yuen Woo-Ping: Shaping Narratives One Sword Stroke at a Time - December 11, 2025
- Bob Anderson: Modern Day Sword Master - November 24, 2025
- Skeletons, Students, and Spirits: Halloween Lessons in The Karate Kid and Cobra Kai - October 29, 2025
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