The Man with the Iron Fists

"You can't spell Kung Fu without F and U!"

2012 1h 36m EN

😐

5.5

MID

★5.5TMDB · 1,258

Action

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

In feudal China, a blacksmith who makes weapons for a small village is put in the position where he must defend himself and his fellow villagers.

“You can't spell Kung Fu without F and U!”

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Where to watch · US

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Cast

RZA
Blacksmith
Russell Crowe
Jack Knife
Pam Grier
Jane
Dave Bautista
Brass Body
Lucy Liu
Madame Blossom
Jamie Chung
Lady Silk
Cung Le
Bronze Lion
Zhu Zhu
Chi Chi

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: RZA
Writers: RZA, RZA, Eli Roth
Languages: English, Cantonese, Mandarin
Countries: China, Hong Kong, United States of America

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 8

ERA

Did you know

Released 14 years ago.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

WORLD

Did you know

Dialogue crosses 3 languages: English, Cantonese, Mandarin.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

WORLD

Did you know

International production across 3 countries: China, Hong Kong, United States of America.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 8

CINEMA

Did you know

Part of the "The Man with the Iron Fists Collection" — so the characters or world continue elsewhere.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by RZA, shot by Chan Chi-Ying. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by RZA. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Joe D'Augustine shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

CAST

Did you know

RZA and Russell Crowe and Pam Grier carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

RZA directs. Chan Chi-Ying behind the camera. RZA scores. Joe D'Augustine cuts. Runs lean at under 100 minutes. Profitable at the box office. Produced in China, Hong Kong, United States of America. Dialogue in English, Cantonese, Mandarin.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

1Released 14 years ago.
2Dialogue crosses 3 languages: English, Cantonese, Mandarin.
3International production across 3 countries: China, Hong Kong, United States of America.
4Part of the "The Man with the Iron Fists Collection" — so the characters or world continue elsewhere.
5Directed by RZA, shot by Chan Chi-Ying. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
6Original score by RZA. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
7Editor Joe D'Augustine shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
8RZA and Russell Crowe and Pam Grier carry the top of the cast.
9Marketing tagline: "You can't spell Kung Fu without F and U!".
10IMDB entry: tt1258972 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
11Released under 10 different titles around the world.

The technical file

Cinematography: Chan Chi-Ying
Original score: RZA
Editing: Joe D'Augustine
Production design: Drew Boughton
Costume design: Thomas Chong
Makeup / hair: Greg Nicotero
Sound: Jonathan Wales
Runtime: 96 min · 1h 36m
Aspect ratio (typical): 1.37:1 (Academy)
Status: Released
Budget: $15,000,000
Box office: $20,546,518
Return: 137% of budget
Original language: EN
Certification (US): R
IMDB: The Man with the Iron Fists (2012)

Part of

The Man with the Iron Fists Collection

The films are set in 19th century China, the story follows a series of lone warriors who are forced to unite to defeat a common foe and save their home of Jungle Village. An emancipated slave from America who becomes the blacksmith channels an ancient energy to turn himself into a living weapon. His name is Thaddeus Henry Smith and he becomes the man with the iron fists!