Bai ga jai (1981)

Director:

Sammo Hung Kam-Bo

Writers:

Sammo Hung Kam-Bo
Barry Wong
(more)

Release Date:

22 December 1981 (Hong Kong)

Genre:

Action | Comedy

Plot:

A rich man's son (Yuen Biao) believes himself to be the best kung fu fighter in Canton. Unfortunately...

Plot Keywords:

Kung Fu | Martial Arts | Cult Favorite | Father Daughter Relationship | Wing Chun

Awards:

1 win & 2 nominations

Cast

Biao Yuen	...	Leung Chang
Ching-Ying Lam	...	Leung Yee-tai
Sammo Hung Kam-Bo	...	Wong Wah-bo
Frankie Chan	...	Ngai Fei
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Lung Chan	...	Yee Tong-choi
Yau Hau Chan	...	Chang's father
Ching Po Chang	...	Opera troupe manager
Hsi Chang	...	Doctor
Wellson Chin	...	Master Mun
Yuet Sang Chin	...	Chang's Kungfu teacher
Fat Chung	...	Mr Law
Wai-han Ho	...	Twiggy
Hoi Sang Lee	...	Chang's Kungfu teacher
Wen Tai Li	...	Angry Kungfu master
Ching Lin	...	Chang's mother
Yung-chiang Peng
James Tien	...	One-armed Man
Yue Ting	...	Local official
Hsieh Wang	...	Lord Sengge Rinchen (as Hap Wong)
Dick Wei	...	Mr Suen
Pai Wei	...	Au Ru-Kwai
Ma Wu	...	Iron Palm

Directed by
Sammo Hung Kam-Bo

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Sammo Hung Kam-Bo
Barry Wong
Jing Wong

Produced by
Raymond Chow	....	executive producer
Raymond Chow	....	producer
Leonard Ho	....	producer

Original Music by
Frankie Chan
Phil Chen

Cinematography by
Ricky Lau

Film Editing by
Yao Chung Chang

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Leung Chin	....	assistant director
Ricky Lau	....	assistant director

Stunts
Biao Yuen	....	stunt double: Lam Ching Ying
Biao Yuen	....	stunt double: Sammo Hung

Editorial Department
Simon Broderick	....	colorist

Other crew
Billy Chan	....	action choreographer
Sammo Hung Kam-Bo	....	action choreographer
Guy Lai	....	consultant: Wing Chun
Ching-Ying Lam	....	action choreographer
Biao Yuen	....	action choreographer
Biao Yuen	....	double: martial arts and acrobatics

Production Companies

• Golden Harvest Company
• Paragon Films Ltd.

Distributors

• Image Entertainment (1999) (USA) (DVD)
• Tai Seng Video Marketing (1999) (USA) (DVD)
• Universe Laser & Video Co. Ltd. (1999) (Hong Kong) (DVD)
• Mega Star Video Distribution (2000) (Hong Kong) (DVD)
• Tai Seng Video Marketing (2000) (USA) (DVD)
• 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (2004) (USA) (DVD)
• Contender Group (2004) (UK) (DVD)
• Hong Kong Legends (2004) (UK) (DVD)
• Medusa Communications and Marketing (2004) (UK) (DVD)
• Universal Home Video (2005) (Australia) (DVD)
• Sunfilm Entertainment (2008) (Germany) (DVD)

Also Known As:

"The Prodigal Son" - Hong Kong (English title), International (English title)
"Bai jia zi" - Hong Kong (Mandarin title)
"Pull No Punches" -
"Son Ruining the Family" - Hong Kong (Cantonese title) (literal title)
"A Vingança do Filho Pródigo" - Brazil (imdb display title)
"A tékozló fiú" - Hungary (imdb display title)
"El hijo prodigo" - Spain
"O asotos yios" - Greece (DVD title)
"Prodigal Son" - France (DVD title)

MPAA:

Rated R for martial arts violence

Runtime:

USA:100 min | Hong Kong:104 min

Country:

Hong Kong

Language:

Cantonese

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Hong Kong:III | New Zealand:R13 | Singapore:PG | South Korea:15 | UK:18 | USA:R | Australia:R

Company:

Golden Harvest Company

Quotes:

Leung Chang:Yee Tai, tell me the truth. Is my kung fu really that bad?
Leung Yee Tai:It is. You don't even know the basics.

Best Martial Arts film

This is my favourite marital arts film. A brilliant blend of fighting prowess and slapstick humour.

What makes it so good? Well, I admit that doing (a little) Wing Chun makes me a bit biased, but the training sequences are impressive and informative. The choreography is top notch and more than any other martial arts film I've seen, when the punches and kicks land they actually look painful.

It's also funny with the strange slapstick that only Chinese martial arts films can manage. Even the over-the top make-up (bright purple bruises!) adds to the charm. Basically if you like Martial Arts films this is a must-see.