10 Most Awesome Fistfights In Movie History
2. Drunken Master II - Wong Vs. John
If anyone knows how to stage a fantastic film fist-fight, with a hint of cheeky playfulness, it's Jackie Chan: a master of action-comedy. There are countless magical Jackie Chan skirmishes to choose from, such as Rumble in the Bronx's arcade/fridge battle and First Strike's inventive use of a ladder.
Yet if we're looking at fists and fists alone, you can't go wrong with Jackie Chan's drunken brawl in Drunken Master II, as he plays the drunken folk hero Wong Fei-hung foiling a British plot to steal Chinese artefacts. Yeah, we're terrible.
Initially, a different actor was meant to play the evil henchman John but got injured beforehand, leading to Jackie Chan's real-life bodyguard, Ken Lo, taking the mantle.
Roger Ebert dubbed the fight as "one of the most remarkably sustained examples of martial arts choreography ever filmed" as the ten-minute melee is relentless in its showcase of neck-breaking strikes and blows. Wong's unorthodox drunken boxing style, hilarious facial expressions, and crazy dynamism complete an incredible fist-fight and performance.
The scene paves the way for some iconic stunts too. Chan took over directing duties after disputing with the director over the final scene, deciding to fall into hot coals not once, but twice, to get a better shot. Fire spitting, red-hot pokers, and brittle box bashes are jus t a few of the insane feats Jackie and Ken have to factor between their explosive free-for-all.