The One-Armed Swordsman Collection
One-Armed Swordsman is a 1967 Hong Kong wuxia film produced by the Shaw Brothers Studio. Directed by Chang Cheh, it was the first of the new style of wuxia films emphasizing male anti-heroes, violent swordplay and heavy bloodletting. It was the first Hong Kong film to make HK$1 million at the local box office, propelling its star Jimmy Wang to super stardom. This film eventually became the first in the One-Armed Swordsman trilogy. A sequel was released in 1969 called Return of the One-Armed Swordsman, followed by The New One-Armed Swordsman in 1971, all directed by Chang Cheh. It has since achieved classic status in Hong Kong cinema. In the Hong Kong Film Award's 2005 poll, One-Armed Swordsman was voted as the 15th best Chinese language film. The first and second movies are the same director, writer, and stars, while the last has the same director but a new lead actor.
Franchise Evolution & Timeline Analysis
The The One-Armed Swordsman Collection has evolved significantly over a span of 9 years, growing from a singular narrative into a complex cinematic universe. With 4 interconnected entries, tracking the consistency of the franchise reveals fascinating trends in audience sentiment.
The "Series" Benchmark: 6.7/10
The franchise maintains a steady average rating of 6.7. While most series experience "Sequel Fatigue," The One-Armed Swordsman Collection has managed to keep its narrative quality relatively stable, with The New One-Armed Swordsman standing out as the peak cinematic achievement.
Continuity vs. Commercial Appeal
Our data indicates that while the "Release Order" is preferred for first-time viewers, the "Chronological Order" provides a much deeper understanding of the world-building within the The One-Armed Swordsman Collection. The timeline highlights a clear three-act structure across all chapters.
Timeline & Watch Order
We recommend watching the The One-Armed Swordsman Collection franchise in the following order to fully experience the narrative expansion.
The One-Armed Swordsman
A noble swordsman, whose arm had been chopped off, returns to his former teacher to defend him from a villainous gang of rival swordsmen....
Return of the One-Armed Swordsman
Eight demon swordsmen and their gang have spread menace across many sword teaching schools. The students seek the help of Fang who alone can combat them. Will F...
The New One-Armed Swordsman
Lei Li lost his right-arm in a sword duel with the master of a martial arts school, long ago. Now, he is able to defend himself well with just his left arm, and...
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....
Common Questions about The One-Armed Swordsman Collection
How many movies are in the The One-Armed Swordsman Collection?
There are currently 4 movies in the The One-Armed Swordsman Collection, starting from The One-Armed Swordsman to the latest release, The One Armed Swordsmen.
What is the best order to watch the The One-Armed Swordsman Collection?
The best way to watch the The One-Armed Swordsman Collection is usually in release order: starting with The One-Armed Swordsman and ending with The One Armed Swordsmen. Check our timeline for the full chronological breakdown.
Which is the highest-rated movie in the The One-Armed Swordsman Collection?
According to movieMx ratings, the fans have a strong preference for The New One-Armed Swordsman in this franchise.