Duel of Fists (1971)
A Shaw Brothers martial arts classic where two long-lost brothers unite their fists against a ruthless crime syndicate.
Duel of Fists - Movie Information
- Original Title: 拳擊
- Release Year: 1971
- Directed by: Chang Cheh
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Action, Drama, Crime
- Runtime: 1h 43m
- Original Language: Chinese
- Spoken Languages: Mandarin
- Release Date (Theatrical): October 1, 1971 (Hong Kong), May 25, 1973 (Germany), July 31, 1974 (France)
- Alternative Titles: Striking Fist (HK), Duel aux poings (FR), Sfagi me karate sto ring tou thanatou (GR), Een vuistvol karate (BE), Duelo de puños (AR)
- Production Companies: Shaw Brothers
- Production Countries: Hong Kong
Duel of Fists - Plot
Two men, one a businessman skilled in Kung Fu, the other a kickboxer discover they are brothers, and together, both in and out of the ring, they must face a crime syndicate. One of the first films to use the martial art of Muay Thai.
Duel of Fists - Trailer
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Duel of Fists - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Chang Cheh
Main Cast
- David Chiang Da-Wei
- Ti Lung
- Ching Li
- Wang Chung
- Chan Sing
- Canong Daech
- Ku Feng
- Pawana Chanajit
- Lee Pang-Fei
- Yau Ming
Writers
- Ni Kuang
Producers
- Runme Shaw
Duel of Fists - FAQs
Was Duel of Fists one of the first Muay Thai films?
Yes, Duel of Fists is widely recognized as one of the earliest films to showcase Muay Thai as a martial art on screen. Released in 1971, it brought Thai kickboxing to international audiences years before the style became a staple of action cinema, making it a genuine landmark in martial arts film history.
Who are the main actors in Duel of Fists?
The film stars David Chiang Da-Wei and Ti Lung as the two long-lost brothers at the heart of the story. They're joined by Ching Li, Wang Chung, Chan Sing, Ku Feng, Canong Daech, Pawana Chanajit, Lee Pang-Fei, and Yau Ming in a strong ensemble cast typical of Shaw Brothers productions.
What is Duel of Fists about?
The film follows two men — a kung fu-trained businessman and a Muay Thai kickboxer — who discover they are long-lost brothers. Together, they take on a dangerous crime syndicate both inside and outside the ring. It blends family drama with hard-hitting martial arts action set against a vivid Bangkok backdrop.
Who directed Duel of Fists?
Duel of Fists was directed by Chang Cheh, one of the most influential filmmakers in Hong Kong cinema history. Known for his bold, masculine action style and frequent collaborations with Shaw Brothers, Chang Cheh helped define the martial arts genre throughout the 1970s with films like The One-Armed Swordsman and Five Deadly Venoms.
When was Duel of Fists released?
Duel of Fists had its original release on October 1, 1971 in Hong Kong. It later reached international audiences, opening in Germany on May 25, 1973, and in France on July 31, 1974, where it was known as Duel aux poings.
Where can you stream Duel of Fists?
You can stream Duel of Fists on Shout! Factory TV with ads, or through the Shout! Factory Amazon Channel. It's also available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, and YouTube, giving you plenty of flexible options to watch this martial arts classic.
What genre is Duel of Fists?
Duel of Fists blends Action, Drama, and Crime into a compelling martial arts package. It's a Shaw Brothers production that combines the kinetic energy of kung fu and Muay Thai fight sequences with a brotherly reunion story and a crime syndicate plot that keeps the tension high throughout.
What are some movies similar to Duel of Fists?
If you enjoyed Duel of Fists, you might also like Martial Arts of Shaolin (1986), True Legend (2010), No Retreat, No Surrender 3: Blood Brothers (1990), and My Kung Fu Master (1978). For more contemporary picks, Master Z: Ip Man Legacy (2018) and Mr. Long (2017) offer a similar blend of martial arts and drama.
More About Duel of Fists
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