Five Fingers of Death
Five Fingers of Death is a 1972 film from Hong Kong, directed by Jeong Chang-hwa, running 116 minutes. reelscum files it under martial arts.
- Year
- 1972 · 1970s films
- Country
- Hong Kong
- Runtime
- 116 min
- Director
- Jeong Chang-hwa
- Updated
- 29 Oct 2026
- Obscurity
- cult (37/100)
- Also known as
- 5 Fingers of Death · Hand of Death · King Boxer: Five Fingers of Death
Defined in the glossary: Martial arts
The one that broke kung fu in America, months before Bruce Lee did.
The film that broke kung fu in America, months before Bruce Lee. A humble student trains for a martial-arts tournament while rival schools scheme and maim, and the film's iron-palm technique, signalled by red-glowing hands and a warbling sound cue, became instantly iconic.
Its US release was a surprise smash that kicked off the whole American kung fu craze, and the tournament structure and revenge plot set the template for dozens of imitators. Quentin Tarantino borrowed the sound cue for Kill Bill.
Historically pivotal, and a solid Shaw Brothers picture in its own right.
Trailer
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