Kung Fu: The Movie

Kung Fu: The Movie is a 1986 made-for-television film and the first in a series of sequels which continued the story of the Shaolin monk, Kwai Chang Caine, first introduced in the 1972–1975 television series Kung Fu. The role of Caine is resumed by David Carradine. The role of his son, Chung Wang, is portrayed by Brandon Lee in his acting debut. The film aired on Brandon's 21st birthday on February 1, 1986. The role of Master Po is also resumed by Keye Luke and The Manchu is portrayed by Mako (Makoto Iwamatsu/岩松松村　信). In the film, the show's hero, Kwai Chang Caine (Carradine), is forced to fight his hitherto unknown son, Chung Wang (Lee).[1]

Kung Fu: The Movie
GenreAdventure
Western
Written byDurrell Royce Crays
Directed byRichard Lang
StarringDavid Carradine
Music byLalo Schifrin
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
Executive producerPaul R. Picard
ProducersSkip Ward
David Carradine (co-producer)
Skip Schoolnik (associate producer)
Production locationsStage 26, Warner Brothers Burbank Studios - 4000 Warner Boulevard, Burbank, California
Walt Disney's Golden Oak Ranch - 19802 Placerita Canyon Road, Newhall, California
Warner Brothers Ranch, Verdugo Ave. and Pass Avenue, Burbank, California
CinematographyRobert Seaman
EditorSkip Schoolnik
Running time93 minutes
Production companiesLou Step Productions
Warner Bros. Television
DistributorWarner Bros. Television Distribution
Release
Original networkCBS
Picture formatColor
Audio formatStereo
Original release
  • February 1, 1986 (1986-02-01)
Chronology
Preceded byKung Fu (1972–75)
Followed by

Production

The feature-length television movie had David Carradine returning as the lead Kwai Chang Caine.[2] The casting of Caine's son took place in 1985, while working as a script reader in Los Angeles. Brandon, the son martial arts movie star Bruce Lee, was approached by casting director Lynn Stalmaster for the role of Chung Wang and successfully auditioned for his first credited acting role in Kung Fu: The Movie.[3] Brandon's common collaborator Jeff Imada who worked on the set said that due to the martial arts nature of the film it had no appeal to him who wanted to be introduced as an actor and not Bruce Lee's son, however he was talked into doing it.[4] Brandon later said that he felt there was some justice in being cast for this role in his first feature, since the TV show's pilot had been conceived for his father.[5]

Kung Fu: The Movie first aired on ABC on February 1, 1986, Lee's 21st birthday.[6]

References
  1. Erickson, Hal. "Synopsis". AllMovie. Retrieved 2019-06-17.
  2. Crockett, Lana (January 30, 1986). "Carradine re-creates Kung Fu". Green Bay Press-Gazette: 21 – via Newspapers.
  3. Lipton, Michael A. (September 7, 1992). "Son of Bruce Breaks Loose". People. Retrieved 2019-04-23.
  4. Baiss, Bridget (2004). "Finding Eric Draven". The Crow: The Story Behind the Film. London: Titan Books. p. 43. ISBN 978-1-78116-184-5.CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  5. Hicks, Chris (July 24, 1992). "Brandon Lee follows in his dad's shoes, but he hopes to win respect as an actor in his own right". Deseret News. Retrieved 2019-04-22.
  6. "Enter the Son of the Dragon: Bruce Lee's Only Boy, Brandon, Gets No Kick from Kung Fu". People. February 3, 1986. Retrieved 2018-10-07.

Further reading
  • Pilato, Herbie J (1993). The Kung Fu Book of Caine: The Complete Guide to TV's First Mystical Eastern Western. Boston: Charles A. Tuttle. ISBN 0-8048-1826-6.


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