Once Upon a Time in Shanghai

Shanghai, early 1900s. Fortune hunters flock to the big city from all over China. It’s the fittest who survive. Four gang lords hold Shanghai in an iron grip until hard-boiled newcomer Long Qi elbows his way in among them.
Young, totally honest Ma Yongzhen (Philip Ng), blessed with great kung fu talent and a cast-iron right hook, settles in Shanghai and soon attracts the attention of Long Qi. An unexpected friendship develops between them. When Long Qi gets into trouble through his courage and arrogance – both a Japanese spy and the Chinese gang lords are out to get him – Yongzhen can only help, even though he has promised the pretty, inaccessible girl next door (Michelle Hu) that he won’t fight any more.
Once Upon a Time in Shanghai, filmed in glowing black-and-white with a trace of colour, is full of beautifully choreographed martial arts ballets and grandiose emotions. Director Wong is a master not only of the martial arts genre, but also of melodrama.

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