Once Upon a Time in China Review (1991) — 80% Celluloid Score
Directed by Tsui Hark · 1991 ·
Once Upon a Time in China (1991) earns a 80% Celluloid Score — Recommended. Recommended — recommended by most critics and audiences.Critics and audiences are closely aligned on this one.
Averaged from five public sources (critic, audience, Metascore, Letterboxd, IMDb). See how we calculate scores.
Five-source breakdown
Theatrical release Where to watch
Not confirmed on any major streaming platform yet — check local listings.
Why this score?
- Majority of critics rated it fresh (88%).
- General viewers mostly liked it (86%).
- Metascore is generally favorable (78/100).
- Celluloid Score 80% averages all five public rating sources — our own composite, not a third-party trademark score.
Best for
- Viewers who want a well-regarded action, drama pick
Not ideal for
Scores reflect data indexed at build time. Component sources are shown on this page; Celluloid Score is our composite, not a third-party trademark. Scoring policy
Is Once Upon a Time in China worth watching?
Yes — Once Upon a Time in China earns a 80% Celluloid Score. Recommended — recommended by most critics and audiences.
Critics Consensus
Tsui Hark and Jet Li rebuild Wong Fei-hung as a national symbol, with wirework used for argument rather than spectacle.
Celluloid Critics Consensus
Critics and audiences are closely aligned on this one.
What is Once Upon a Time in China about?
In late 19th-century Canton, legendary hero Wong Fei-Hung battles foreign forces' (English, French and American) plundering of China. When Aunt Yee returns from America totally westernised, Wong assumes the role of protector. This proves difficult when his martial arts school and local militia become involved in fierce battles with foreign and local governments. As violence escalates, even Aunt Yee has to question her new western ideals, but is it possible to fight guns with Kung Fu?
Critic Reviews
Once Upon a Time in China (1991) Review
★★★½☆
Tsui Hark's Once Upon a Time in China (1991) remains a defining Action landmark from Hong Kong, with scores that still shape how audiences discover the title.
Strongly recommended — holds up for new and returning viewers.
Reader takes
No reader takes published yet — be the first helpful voice.
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