From Bruce Lee's coliseum duel with Chuck Norris to Donnie Yen's powerful punches in the Ip Man series, the iconic fight scenes of martial arts movies have long captivated audiences. Within this dynamic genre, one actress has emerged as a true pioneer: the legendary Cheng Pei-Pei, affectionately known as the “Queen of Swords.”
Chen passed away last week at the age of 78 after a stellar career spanning nearly six decades. The news spread quickly around the world, and her legacy as one of martial arts cinema's most influential female characters transcends borders and generations.
Poster for “Come Drink With Me” (1966), the film that launched Cheng into martial arts superstardom. Image from IMDb.
Born in Shanghai in 1946, Cheng moved to Hong Kong in the early 1960s and joined the prestigious Shaw Brothers Studio. The studio sent her to a performing arts training school, which launched her illustrious acting career. She appeared in 20 of Shaw Brothers' wuxia films (martial arts stories that emphasize heroism and fighting scenes) at a time when Hong Kong was considered the “Hollywood of the East”. She played leading roles in some of the classic films of the era. Lotus Lamp (1965) and Come and have a drink with me (1966).
The famous director King Hu Come and have a drink with me was the first major martial arts film to feature a female action star in the lead role. Playing the role of the skilled swordsman known as the Golden Swallow, Chen delivered a memorable performance that combined her dance experience with fierce fighting ability. Her own stunts. challenging Traditional depictions of women Subverting notions of femininity in martial arts films, the role paved the way for a new generation of actresses, including some future icons. Michelle Yeoh and Zhang Ziyiand influenced the portrayal of revenge-seeking female assassins in film. Kill Bill (2003).
Chen cemented her status as a leading martial arts film star with her role as Jade Fox in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Image from All Powers Explained.
After divorcing her Taiwanese husband Yuan Man-tung in 1987 and her acting career stalling, Cheng went bankrupt and returned to Hong Kong in the 1990s to resume her career, demonstrating her fierce determination and drive to succeed. She then went on to star as the deadly assassin Jade Fox in Ang Lee's award-winning hit Star Wars: Episode I: The Final Battle. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000), Cheng further gained international acclaim, and her commanding performance won her the Best Supporting Actress award at the 2001 Hong Kong Film Awards, further cementing her as a leading star in martial arts films.
Even today, this legendary actress' iconic performances continue to inspire filmmakers and actresses. The indelible mark she left on the film industry challenged stereotypes and redefined what was possible for women in martial arts films. As the “Queen of Swords,” Cheng's pioneering path has left an enduring legacy that resonates with audiences around the world.
Banner image provided by Movies at Lincoln Center.
