Best movies like The 72 Desperate Rebels

A unique, carefully handpicked, selection of the best movies like The 72 Desperate Rebels Starring Pai Ying, Chan Sing, Wei Tzu-Yun, Tsung Hua, and more. If you liked The 72 Desperate Rebels then you may also like: One Armed Swordsman Against Nine Killers, Red Cliff, Reign of Assassins, The Assassin, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and many more popular movies featured on this list. You can further filter the list even more or get a random selection from the list of similar movies, to make your selection even easier.

This movie has a sword eating lama, a bell trap formation with big bell wielding belles, people dressed in multi-color ku klux klan outfits and Chen Sing.Set in the Ming Dynasty, an infamous pirate finds 72 martial arts experts from all over China to help him battle the imperial government. Includes breathtaking kung fu fighting and plenty of ninja action.

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Know any good movies to watch like The 72 Desperate Rebels 1978. With a similar plot or stoyline. Suggest it.

One Armed Swordsman Against Nine Killers

Watch WANG YU as a one-armed savior battling the local goons in this martial arts classic. He has some rather amazing moves up his sleeve.

Red Cliff

In 208 A.D., in the final days of the Han Dynasty, shrewd Prime Minster Cao convinced the fickle Emperor Han the only way to unite all of China was to declare war on the kingdoms of Xu in the west and East Wu in the south. Thus began a military campaign of unprecedented scale. Left with no other hope for survival, the kingdoms of Xu and East Wu formed an unlikely alliance.

Reign of Assassins

Set in ancient China, Zeng Jing is a skilled assassin who finds herself in possession of a mystical Buddhist monk's remains. She begins a quest to return the remains to its rightful resting place, and thus places herself in mortal danger because a team of assassins is in a deadly pursuit to possess the remains which holds an ancient power-wielding secret.

The Assassin

A female assassin receives a dangerous mission to kill a political leader in eighth-century China.

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon

Two warriors in pursuit of a stolen sword and a notorious fugitive are led to an impetuous, physically-skilled, teenage nobleman's daughter, who is at a crossroads in her life.

Gymkata

U.S. agents send a gymnastic martial artist to secure a missile-base site in the savage country of Parmistan.

Curse of the Golden Flower

During China's Tang dynasty the emperor has taken the princess of a neighboring province as his wife. She has borne him two sons and raised his eldest. Now his control over his dominion is complete, including the royal family itself.

Mulan

When the Emperor of China issues a decree that one man per family must serve in the Imperial Chinese Army to defend the country from Huns, Hua Mulan, the eldest daughter of an honored warrior, steps in to take the place of her ailing father. She is spirited, determined and quick on her feet. Disguised as a man by the name of Hua Jun, she is tested every step of the way and must harness her innermost strength and embrace her true potential.

House of Flying Daggers

In 9th century China, a corrupt government wages war against a rebel army called the Flying Daggers. A romantic warrior breaks a beautiful rebel out of prison to help her rejoin her fellows, but things are not what they seem.

Fearless

Huo Yuan Jia became the most famous martial arts fighter in all of China at the turn of the 20th Century. Huo faced personal tragedy but ultimately fought his way out of darkness, defining the true spirit of martial arts and also inspiring his nation. The son of a great fighter who didn't wish for his child to follow in his footsteps, Huo resolves to teach himself how to fight - and win.

Return of the Chinese Boxer

In wake of the First Sino-Japanese War 1894-1895, a group of Japanese warlords calculate that the best way to prepare an invasion of the rest of China from their southern Manchuria staging ground.

The Real Bruce Lee

The Real Bruce Lee is a martial arts documentary. It begins with a brief biography of Bruce Lee, and shows scenes from four of his childhood films, Bad Boy, Orphan Sam, Kid Cheung, and The Carnival, each sepia-toned and dubbed to English. Next, there is a three-minute highlight reel of Lee imitator Bruce Li. Finally, there is a feature-length film starring Lee imitator Dragon Lee, which is obviously modeled after Bruce Lee's Fist of Fury.

Mafia vs. Ninja

Sewage workers Jack and Charlie get involved in an international Asian gang war when Jack helps the boss of a Shanghai gang against one of his rebellious underlings. This underling then strikes a deal with the Japanese Yakuza in the hopes of toppling his boss and become the leader of Shanghai himself. When the Yakuza assassinate the Shanghai boss, Jack pledges to avenge his new friend's death. As he seeks out those ultimately responsible, he does battle with a variety of ninjas and mercenaries from around the world.

A Touch of Zen

Ku Shen Chai, an artist in his early 30s, still lives with his mother, but he is suddenly shaken by the arrival of Yang Hui-ching, a mysterious princess on the run. Yang brings Ku into her circle of protectors, including a nameless monk whose spiritual guidance transforms him into a valiant fighter.

True Legend

Su Qi-Er, a wealthy man living during the Qing Dynasty who loses his fortune and reputation as a result of a conspiracy against him. After being forced out onto the streets, Su dedicates his life to martial arts and reemerges as a patriotic hero known as the "King of Beggars."

American Samurai

When a father passes on the traditional family sword to one of his two adopted sons, the other--in a fit of jealous rage--joins a yakuza drug smuggling mob. When the other son decides to find him and set things straight, things don't seem to go as smoothly as he planned, and a misunderstanding leads the stepbrothers into a Turkish arena to battle swordsmen from around the world.

Snake-Crane Secret

Snake and Crane Secret is a fast paced martial arts action film about a familys battle for survival. A family tries to uphold their honor while keeping their Sacred Kung Fu book from getting into the wrong hands. A tale of deceit mistrust and traditional values unfolds along with spectacular fight sequences necessary to keep the Snake Crane Secret.

The Crippled Masters

Two men, one a lowly peon and the other a dutiful nobleman, are betrayed by their master and crippled for life-- One left with no arms and the other with paralyzed legs. Despite their obvious disadvantages, they strive to seek revenge against their evil master. The two men endeavor to track down the fabled Eight Jade Horses, said to hold the key to special martial arts techniques.

Hero of the Wild

A regional champion martial artist that moonlights as an honour-bound assassin, Tu Ta Shen, solidifies his reputation by challenging top fighters en route to the other champion, Nan Pa Tien, in order to unify both titles. Along the way he defeats a man who's shame in defeat drives him to suicide. Before he dies, recognizing Tu Ta Shen honour, he asks Tu Ta Shen to defeat a group of Manchu supporters led by none other that Nan Pa Tien. The dying mans son, Sa Woo, tries to kill Tu Ta Shen but is easily outmatched. Tu Ta Shen offer to teach Sa Yoo enough so that he can take revenge for his father. The two set out together; One to fulfill a promise to a dying man, one to keep a promise of revenge.

The Invincible Armour

Hwang Jang Lee is a corrupt Ming guard who frames John Liu for murder. A wanted fugitive, John hides out with a teen who is an expert in the infamous Iron Armor technique, a technique that means the expert can withstand anything. However, Hwang is an expert in it as well as the Eagle Claw's. Can John stop Hwang before it's too late?

Lucky Seven

Seven child martial arts experts try to return a stolen diamond to its rightful owner.

18 Bronzemen

During the Manchurian invasion of China, the son of the Ming Dynasty General takes refuge in the Shaolin Temple to learn martial arts, so that he may seek revenge for his dead father. But he must first endure the rigorous test of the temple's legendary 18 Bronzemen.

Ninja Hunter

The plot centres around Wu Tang villain, Abbot White, who wants to destroy the Shaolin monks and become supreme martial artist. In order to do so, he teams up with a clan of Ninjas, led by three masters – gold lamé ninja, white mustachioed ninja and black ninja – and succeeds in destroying the Shaolin temple and most of its inhabitants. However, there are some survivors. It is their job to pass on the knowledge of the Shaolin finger jab to a new generation, who must defeat the ninjas and Abbott White if peace and order is to be restored.

The One Armed Swordsmen

The martial world is now awash in one-armed knights, who aren't inclined to make any permanent alliances among themselves.

Shaolin Master and the Kid

A government law officer is dispatched to bring his brother's killers to justice. On his bloody mission, untold assassins are thrown at him, but to no avail. One by one they are done away with in a most militant style.

Shaolin Invincibles

Two sword-wielding sisters seek revenge against the villains who murdered their family. But these are no ordinary villains — they’re wizards with giant, elasticized tongues who use black magic to control... kung fu gorillas!

Deadly Life of a Ninja

A businessman and his sister-in-law are targeted for assassination by a band of evil ninjas and their vicious leader (Yasuaki Kurata). The ninjas are committing bizarre murders all over the city, and the police can't seem to pick up their trail -- so they call in ninja hunter and Kendo master Mr. Chow (Kuan Tai Chen). To take down the silent killers, Mr. Chow will have to fight against incredible odds in this campy ninja classic.

The Chinese Stuntman

The Chinese Stuntman was a Bruceploitation film released in 1981. Bruce Li (who also directs) plays an insurance salesman who ends up working as a stuntman on a Hong Kong movie.

The Deadly Silver Spear

Silver Spear (Jimmy Wang Yu) is a deadly Kung Fu bounty hunter who has been hired to kill three martial arts experts. When the white-haired super-warrior known as The Old Hermit hears about this, he sends some of his own men to put a stop to it. But these newcomers are no match for the mighty bounty hunter, so The Old Hermit sends more, and more, and more, succeeding only in whipping up the raging martial arts maelstrom that is Silver Spear.

Mean Streets of Kung-Fu

Featuring plenty of high-kicking, fist-flying action, a martial arts classic from the vaults of Hong Kong cinema. Summoning his skills to defeat a troublesome local thug, a martial arts student (Barry Chan) emerges victorious. But when his enemy retaliates by trying to rape a female classmate, it's definitely time for a rematch. Chan Wai Lau and Liu Ping co-star.

Shaolin Temple Against Lama

The red cloth lamas are on the attack, so Shaolin send a young boxer to Tibet to learn Lama Kung Fu and seek advice from the high lama. Massive battles ensue as martrial chaos strikes the region. More manis fighting styles from the Robert Tai asylum of martial arts! Starring Alexander Lo Rei, Alan Hsu, Lucifer Lee, William Yen Directed by William Chang Note: This is NOT the same film as Shaolin vs. Lama (1983).

Moonlight Sword and Jade Lion

Tyrone Shu directs Lung Chun, Wang Tao, and Angela Mao in the historically set martial arts film Moonlight Sword & Jade Lion. During the Sung Dynasty, Mao plays a martial arts expert who finds herself involved in a variety of political intrigues. "Feisty ace martial artist Chu Siew Yen promises her teacher that she will find his missing brother. During her search Chu also tries to discover the identity of the person who killed her parents. Of course, accomplishing said tasks proves easier said than done as Chu faces opposition from many people she encounters on the way to uncovering the truth." Written by Woodyanders

Shaolin Invincible Sticks

Lu Tai Yeh (Chang Yi) is a stick fighter who uses his deadly “Tzu Wu” stick to make mince meat of his opponents. Lu Tai Yeh, along with his two sidekicks (Fung Long & Cheng Ching) just about closes down all the gyms in Northern China. Never satisfied, Lu and his men travel down south to clean up the region and take out all gyms and fighters who think they may be good with the stick. Lu’s plan is running without a hitch until he meets a new upstart, Ku Yung (Wang Tao), who plans on fighting Lu to take back the family heirloom - a Tzu Wu stick - and regain the honor of his family.

Ninja: The Battalion

Four Chinese germ warfare scientists are kidnapped by a Japanese organisation.

Mantis Combat

When a once infamous criminal decides to give up his lifestyle and return the many treasures he has stolen to their rightful owners; he is promptly murdered by his partners in crime. To avenge his death is his son, with the deadly "mantis fist".

Fearless Fighters

When To Pa, a member of the prestigious Eagle Claw Clan, commands his followers to carry out a mutinous robbery against the Almighty Imperial Lightning Whip, the victim's children are shaken by his disloyalty. With the help of one of To Pa's former minions, who's grown disillusioned with his leader's unconscionable actions, they organize a battle to avenge their father.

Dressed to Fight

It's all action, all the time, in this seldom-seen kung fu extravaganza starring Tien Peng, who's all dressed up with somewhere to go: He's on his way to kick some butt! In the vaunted tradition of grind-house Hong Kong action flicks, this film features breathtaking thrilling battles and martial arts moves that have to be seen to be believed (and then you still won't believe them!).

Six Intellectuals

Six Top martial art masters battle it out for supremacy in the much troubled martial world.

Shaolin vs. Ninja

A Japanese Prince proposes to the Shaolin abbot that a contest between Ching and Japanese martials arts should be held at the Shaolin Temple. However this is just a front for a more villainous plot to overthrow Shaolin and then China herself. Without doubt some of the best choreography to come out of the Orient and crack up as Japanese Bushido experts take on the very best of Shaolin kung fu

Ninja In The Deadly Trap

During the Ming Dynasty, as Japanese pirates wreak havoc along the Chinese coast, laying waste to entire towns, a band of ninjas start appearing and target the Chinese military commander, General Chi. The Master of the Three Arts (who possesses a book illustrating various ninja techniques) is the only one who can combat this new enemy, so he pledges that his students will join Chi's army in their fight to wipe out the killers.

A Sword Renounced

Also known as The Blind Swordsman's Revenge, this is Zatoichi Versus The Flying Guillotine (1972). Zatoichi is "born Wu Ching Hui, he was kidnapped by pirates as a youth and taken to Japan, where he learned his cane sword skills. He appears to be widely known in China by his Japanese name, but as the film opens he is just returning to China to look up his long-lost brother, Tieh Hou. To his dismay, he learns that the brother has been killed in a sword duel with one Chu Yen Jieh. The grief-stricken prodigal blubbers in mourning and vows revenge."

Incredible Kung Fu Mission

When a comrade is captured by a hostile warlord, five martial arts masters confront the villain's foot soldiers, valiantly battling through their resistance until they come face to face with the warlord himself.

War of the Shaolin Temple

Set during the Sung Dynasty, patriotic monks of the Shaolin Temple fight against foreign invasion.

Secret of the Shaolin Poles

Legendary Chinese rebel Fong Sai Yuk (Fei Meng) takes on the Manchu dynasty in this high-octane martial arts actioner. After killing one of the governor's thugs, Fong must not only elude authorities, but also face a deadly assassin. Discovering the governor has murdered his two kung fu brothers, Fong vows to take on the corrupt leader. The film includes a slew of awe-inspiring battles using lethal Shaolin poles.

Gold Constables

A large quantity of gold is stolen from the government, so undercover martial arts constables do there detective work to find out the culprits and the whereabouts of the bullion. Awesome fight scenes, choreographed by Hwang Kwo Chu, with a lot of innovative weapon work.

The Fist That Kills

Martial arts action with a ninja prince trying to overcome the odds and gain hid rightful place on the throne.

Boxers of Loyalty and Righteousness

Warlord Yu Ming gained great power for himself. Anyone he suspected of disloyalty was jailed or murdered. He himself was a notorious killer, having personally betrayed his friend General Yip and then slaughtered his entire family. But the General's son escaped to tell the tale, and spent a lifetime learning all the martial arts, with the sole aim of one day killing his evil enemy Yu Ming. Only first he must lure him away from his private army of thugs and gangster.

The Clutch of Power

A rogue swordsman known as "Soul of the Sword" kills the father of a young Kung Fu expert, who teams up with a Drunken Monk to put an end to Soul of the Sword’s reign of terror, and thwart the Mongol invasion.

Little Rascals with Kung-Fu

A old ill-humored White Crane master teaches his martial art to a young loner. Soon they must battle side by side against the cruel Snake style master and his predatory followers.

Kung Fu Mulan

Mulan grew up in a martial arts family, has a dream to become a female warrior in the Kingdom. By forced to join the army in her father’s stead, she finds a way to express herself. However, during a mission that she was supposed to assassinate the Crown prince of a hostile kingdom, she never knows that this decision changed her life entirely. They fell in love. From then on, she has a new goal, not to fight for her achievement but to bring peace for the people of both countries. In the end, she triumphed over the villain and also understood the true meaning of being a warrior.

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