Once Upon a Time in China II (re-release) 2001

In the midst of 1895’s tumultuous Qing dynasty, Wong Fei-hung embarks on a journey by train from Foshan to Canton, accompanied by his romantic interest, 13th Aunt, and his apprentice, Leung Foon. The trio’s mission is to attend a seminar on medicine, but they’re not prepared for the chaos that awaits them in Canton. As tensions run high, protests erupt against the signing of the Treaty of Shimonoseki, while the White Lotus Sect, a xenophobic cult, wreaks havoc on the city by targeting Westerners and destroying all things considered foreign to Chinese culture.

As 13th Aunt’s keen eye for photography puts her at risk of capture by the cult, Wong springs into action, fighting off the attackers and saving his love. Meanwhile, back in Canton, a predominantly non-Chinese audience gathers for a seminar on acupuncture, with Wong delivering the lecture while Sun Wen, a Western-trained Chinese doctor, provides expert translation.

However, just as the discussion is getting underway, the White Lotus Sect’s brutal tactics strike again, firing flaming arrows into the building and sending the attendees scrambling. With their lives in danger, Wong, Leung, and Sun make a daring escape. But Wong soon realizes that Canton has become too treacherous for his friends to remain safely by his side. He decides it’s time to bring 13th Aunt and Leung back to Foshan, only to be confronted with the news that the White Lotus Sect is targeting the Tongwen Guan, a school dedicated to teaching Chinese children foreign languages.

Moved by the plight of these young students, Wong, 13th Aunt, and Leung rush to their aid, saving them from certain harm. Though they’ve just escaped danger themselves, Wong’s sense of justice compels him to act once more when the innkeeper refuses to shelter the children, fearing retribution at the hands of the White Lotus Sect. As Wong and his companions prepare to depart, they know that their journey is far from over – and that Canton’s chaos will continue to demand their attention.

As Wong approaches the local government office, he is met with a formidable foe in the form of Nap-lan Yun-seut, a battle-hardened military officer who puts Wong’s staff-wielding skills to the test. Despite impressing Nap-lan with his prowess, Wong’s request for shelter for the children is rebuffed. Meanwhile, Leung and 13th Aunt lead the young ones to the besieged British consulate, where they take refuge alongside Sun Wen, a mysterious individual shrouded in intrigue. Little do they know, however, that the consulate has become a hotbed of revolutionary activity, with Lu Haodong and his cohorts secretly plotting the downfall of the Qing government. As tensions simmer, Nap-lan arrives at the consulate, masquerading as a concerned protector of the consul and cult members, but in reality, he is hell-bent on capturing Lu.

That night, Nap-lan’s true intentions are revealed when he orders his men to disguise themselves as White Lotus Sect members and infiltrate the consulate under the guise of protecting the consul. As the darkness deepens, he seizes the opportunity to hunt down Lu, ultimately eliminating the British consul who has seen through his ruse. In a daring display of deception, Lu dons Leung’s disguise and follows Wong out of the consulate, while Leung takes on Lu’s persona to distract Nap-lan. With the stakes raised, Wong and Lu embark on a perilous journey to confront Priest Gao, the enigmatic leader of the White Lotus Sect.

In a flurry of martial arts action and cunning deception, Wong and his companions engage the cult members in a fierce battle, culminating in a one-on-one showdown with Gao. Though initially triumphant, Wong’s victory is tempered by the revelation that Gao was wearing body armor, leading to an accidental impalement on a statue’s finger. As the dust settles, Wong, Leung, and Lu set their sights on retrieving a crucial book containing the names of revolutionaries from a secret location. However, they are confronted by Nap-lan and his soldiers, resulting in a desperate struggle that claims Lu’s life.

In his final moments, Lu tasks Leung with meeting Sun Wen at the pier and passing him a vital cloth used to wrap the book, thereby ensuring its secrets remain hidden from the Qing government’s prying eyes. As Wong fights valiantly against Nap-lan to buy time, the stage is set for a thrilling climax that will determine the fate of the revolutionaries and the future of China.

As the desperate duo of Wong and Leung attempts to outmaneuver their relentless pursuer Nap-lan, the stakes are raised as the trio becomes entwined in a fierce and unconventional battle. With Wong wielding his trusty bamboo staff and Nap-lan countering with an unorthodox “cloth staff” - a sinuous, twisted length of fabric - the air is thick with tension as each combatant strives to gain the upper hand. The fight takes on a life of its own as Nap-lan cleverly wraps Wong’s neck in his cloth, attempting to strangle him into submission. However, Wong’s determination and cunning ultimately prove too great, as he manages to free himself and exact brutal vengeance by using a sharp splinter from his broken bamboo staff to slit Nap-lan’s throat.

As the first light of dawn begins to creep over the horizon, Wong and Leung finally find themselves at the pier, where they make their final stand. With a burst of hope and defiance, they toss the cloth containing Lu’s revered design for the Blue Sky with a White Sun flag to Sun Wen, who eagerly unrolls it, revealing the iconic emblem that will become the symbol of their rebellion against tyranny and oppression.