Cynthia Rothrock is a cult martial arts star who needs no introduction. Whether it be as a foreigner in a Hong Kong actioner, or as a female in a male-dominated Hollywood action flick, Cynthia was kicking ass long before the phrase “female led action film” became a marketable buzz word.
If you’re here, chances are you know all there is to know about her, so we decided to skip the same old interview questions and ask her what her “Top 10 Martial Arts Films of All Time” are. And her opinion counts because she’s Cynthia fucking Rothrock. Enjoy!
1) Snake in the Eagles Shadow (dir. Yuen Woo Ping, 1978)
“This was the first martial art film that I have seen. My teacher brought me to Chinatown to watch this film and right then and there I fell in love with the Snake movements of Kung Fu. I was also introduced to the films of Jackie Chan who then became my inspiration to use regular objects to fight with as Kung Fu Weapons.”
2) Enter the Dragon (dir. Robert Clouse, 1973)
“This was my introduction to Bruce Lee. I loved his screen charisma and fighting method. He is the one and only for sure.”
3) Way of the Dragon (dir. Bruce Lee, 1972)
“This was the first time I saw a movie where I actually knew someone, Chuck Norris. To think a martial art competitor was now an action star. I will never forget the iconic fight scene between Chuck and Bruce in the Colosseum in Rome.”
4) Ip Man (dir. Wilson Yip, 2008)
“Loved how my friend Donnie Yen portrayed the Wing Chun master Ip Man. The fight scenes were great and the movie was shot well.”
5) Drunken Master (dir. Yuen Woo Ping, 1978)
“I love the old Hong Kong period films. When I was first signed to do Yes Madam with Michelle Yeoh, I was disappointed it wasn’t a period film. I loved the way Jackie used the Drunken-style of Kung Fu in this comedy, funny yes but the action was great.”
6) The 36 Chambers of Shaolin (dir. Lau Kar-Leung, 1978)
“I loved the authenticy of training at the renown Shaolin Temple. I have trained there twice and it brings back fond memories of Shaolin Temple training.”
7) Ong-Bak (dir. Prachya Pinkaew, 1978)
“This was the first time I was introduced to Tony Jaa. I was blown away by his martial art skills and physicality.”
8) Zu: Warriors from the Magic Mountain (dir. Tsui Hark, 1978)
“I have always been a fan of Tsui Hark’s work. When I first saw this movie I loved how he combined martial arts with fantasy. I always wanted to do a fantasy film after seeing this.”
9) Kingsman: The Secret Service (dir. Matthew Vaughn, 2014)
“Okay, these last two films are more modern films – not that I would consider martial art movies – but I loved the action in this. I was quite surprised with the scene in the church with Colin Firth. I thought the director did an awesome job.”
10) The Raid (dir. Gareth Evans, 2011)
“There was some really bad ass action in this one. Love the fight scenes brutality and execution of moves.”
Thanks again for Cynthia Rothrock for taking the time to give us her list. We look forward to seeing her in Black Creek, an upcoming western/martial arts action movie, and currently the 3rd most successfully funded action film ‘OF ALL TIME’!
To stay up to date on her latest projects, visit Cynthia’s official Facebook page or official Website. For your viewing pleasure, here are Trailers to some of our favorite Cynthia Rothrock movies:
It’s always interesting to gain an insight into the favorite martial arts flicks from those that actually star in them, and Ms. Rothrock certainly doesn’t disappoint in that regard! What stood out to me the most was the lack of entries featuring those big kung-fu genre icons who she’s starred alongside – no Sammo Hung, no Yuen Biao, and no Conan Lee (ok, maybe his absence is forgivable!). Still, anyone that puts 2 Bruce Lee movies in their top 10 clearly hasn’t seen enough kung-fu cinema! 😛
Haha. Top Tens can be hard. And just like favorite dinners and desserts, they can change at a whim. I probably change my top ten every month!
Who cares, lets get your guys’ top 10!!! If you tell me yours, I’ll tell you mine!
Fist of Fury
Ip Man 3
Ong Bak 2
Drunken Master 2
Fist of Legend
Martial Club
Encounters of the Spooky Kind
The Raid
The Prodigal Son
Furious Slaughter (judge me, but for me this one is the best basher from Jimmy Wang Yu! haha… )
Not bad. I’d judge you more for Fist of Legend than ANY basher. 😉 Great list.
What’s wrong about “Fist of Legend”?
Nothing wrong with it =) I find it to be overrated. Just my opinion though.
Maybe I haven’t seen enough kung-fu cinema, but here’s my list:
(list not based solely on writing, fight choreography, acting, budget, soundtrack or any specific versions. It’s based simply on re-watchability and entertainment value as a whole)
The Big Boss
Redbelt
Drunken Master
Police Story
Black Belt (the Shunichi Nagasaki flick, not the Don “The Dragon” Wilson flick)
Kill Bill Vol. 1
Five Element Ninjas
One Armed Swordsman
Return of the One Armed Swordsman
No Retreat No Surrender II: Raging Thunder
Top 10? I can do Top 30 of it, and it will be quite difficult for me. But I’ll try (in no particular order):
Project A
Drunken master
Eastern condors
Prodigal son
Five Superfighters
Magnificent butcher
The Raid
Once upon a time in China 2
SPL
Crippled Avengers
So many left out, unfortunately, but with that limited number, couldn’t have done better.
Top 10 is tough, but that’s the challenge. =) You have a few in there that rarely make the list.
As I’ve mentioned before, Top Tens are harder than they look, but I can attempt one. My criteria is based around re-watchability, a variety in the martial arts, and if the plot and acting are also enjoyable. Again, it might change next month.
Drunken Master II
Fist of Legend
In The Line of Duty 4
The Night Comes For Us
Tom Yum Goong
Clash
Pedicab Driver
Undisputed III
Drive (1997)
The Five Deadly Venoms
I gotta give The Night Comes For Us another watch. I can almost say I liked it better than both Raid films combined. The true test is its 2nd watch! I’m seeing it a lot on peoples’ lists.
I love Iko’s work with Gareth. Just when I thought it couldn’t get better for him, Timo unleashed this cinematic beast that’s almost as much of a horror film as it is a martial arts film. I had to choose this one as my Iko Uwais pick.
My humble Top 10
Tai Chi Master
Once Upon A Time In China 2
Iron Monkey
The Master Strikes
Shaolin Temple (Jet Li)
Snake In The Eagles Shadow
SPL 2
Fist of Fury
Dragon Princess (I know it’s Karate, but still…)
The Young Master
Thank you for your time
I always thought YOUNG MASTER was better than Drunken Master II, especially that crazy end fight with Hwang In-shik.
The Young Master works as a feel good movie and has also Yuen Biao!
The Grandmaster
Born Invincible
The Final Master
Owl’s Castle
The Raid
The Prodigal son
The Buddhist fist
True Legend
The Man from Nowhere
Shaolin
Dragon (Donnie Yen)
Totally forgot about Dragon aka Wuxia. One of Donnie Yen’s best, for sure.
Absolutely. Dragon/Wu Xia!!
Dragon aka Wuxia is “oddly beautiful”. Great pick.
Way of the Dragon, Bloodsport, The Raid 2, John Wick, Best of the Best, Deadly Venoms, Ong Bak, King of the Kickboxers, Project A II, Drive
Enter the dragon?
Way of the dragon?
Kingsman: The secret service?
Dear Cynthia, get a cane and a dog! 😉