Four Riders (1972)
A Shaw Brothers martial arts classic in which four elite fighters take on a criminal empire in the shadow of the Korean War.
Four Riders - Movie Information
- Original Title: 四騎士
- Release Year: 1972
- Directed by: Chang Cheh
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Action, Drama, Crime
- Runtime: 1h 53m
- Original Language: Chinese
- Spoken Languages: Italian, Mandarin, English
- Release Date (Theatrical): December 22, 1972 (Hong Kong), April 18, 1974 (United Kingdom - 18), April 28, 1975 (Germany - 16), October 23, 1974 (France)
- Alternative Titles: Os Quatro Valentes do Kung Fu (BR), Strike 4 Revenge (US), Hellfighters of the East (UK), Si qi shi (HK)
- Production Companies: Shaw Brothers
- Production Countries: Hong Kong
Four Riders - Plot
Four highly skilled fighters unite to take on a ruthless criminal gang, battling corruption, murder, and injustice in the wake of the Korean War.
Four Riders - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the action unfold:
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Four Riders - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Chang Cheh
Main Cast
- David Chiang Da-Wei
- Ti Lung
- Chen Kuan-Tai
- Wang Chung
- Lily Li
- Yasuaki Kurata
- Ching Li
- Andre Marquis
- Tina Chin Fei
- Liu Gang
Writers
- Chang Cheh
- Ni Kuang
Producers
- Runme Shaw
Four Riders - FAQs
Where can you watch Four Riders online?
Four Riders is available to rent or buy digitally through Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, and YouTube. It is not currently available on major subscription streaming services, so digital rental or purchase remains the most accessible viewing option.
Is Four Riders based on a true story?
Four Riders is not based on a specific true story. It is an original screenplay by director Chang Cheh and writer Ni Kuang. However, the film uses the Korean War as a historical backdrop, grounding its fictional tale of crime, corruption, and martial justice in a real geopolitical setting.
Who are the main actors in Four Riders?
The film stars David Chiang Da-Wei as Chin Yi, Ti Lung as Feng Hsieh, Chen Kuan-Tai as Li Wei-shi, and Wang Chung as Kao Ying-han. Supporting roles are filled by Lily Li, Yasuaki Kurata, Ching Li, and Andre Marquis as the villain Boss Hawke.
What is Four Riders about?
Four Riders follows four elite fighters who join forces to dismantle a powerful criminal syndicate involved in drug smuggling and murder in the aftermath of the Korean War. Directed by Chang Cheh for Shaw Brothers, the film blends intense martial arts action with themes of brotherhood, loyalty, and moral justice.
Who directed Four Riders?
Four Riders was directed by Chang Cheh, one of Hong Kong cinema's most celebrated and prolific filmmakers. Known for his masculine, blood-soaked action epics at Shaw Brothers, Chang Cheh helped define the martial arts genre throughout the 1970s with films like The One-Armed Swordsman and Five Deadly Venoms.
How long is Four Riders?
Four Riders has a runtime of 1 hour and 53 minutes (113 minutes). For a Shaw Brothers martial arts film of its era, this is a notably substantial running time, allowing Chang Cheh to develop both the action sequences and the ensemble character dynamics at a measured pace.
Was Four Riders banned or censored anywhere?
Four Riders carries a notable history as a banned film in certain territories. It received an 18 certificate in the United Kingdom upon its April 1974 release, reflecting the era's strict censorship standards around martial arts violence. The film's frank depictions of brutality and drug smuggling drew regulatory scrutiny across multiple markets.
What are similar films to Four Riders?
Fans of Four Riders may enjoy Immortal Warriors (1978), The Gold Hunters (1981), Ip Man: Kung Fu Master (2019), Story in the Temple Red Lily (1976), and The Sword and Knife (Conclusion) (1968). These films share a similar blend of martial arts action, ensemble casts, and period-set crime narratives.
More About Four Riders
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