A Man Called Hero

A Man Called Hero

Year: 1999

Runtime: 116 mins

Language: Cantonese

Director: Andrew Lau

AdventureFantasyActionEpic heroesIntense combat and martial arts

True to his name, Hero Hua marries Jade in China, then departs for the United States where he takes a low‑wage servant job and fights against the harsh labor conditions he endures. Jade soon follows him to New York, and together they confront the hardships of immigrant life while establishing a home and starting a family.

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Timeline & Setting – A Man Called Hero (1999)

Explore the full timeline and setting of A Man Called Hero (1999). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Early 20th century

The story begins in the early Republic era of China, a time of upheaval and foreign influence. It then jumps 16 years forward to New York City, capturing a Chinese immigrant community and the social dynamics of that era. The setting interweaves labor strife, family fate, and martial-arts tradition across continents.

Location

New York City, Chinatown, China House, Steel Bull Canyon, Japan, Statue of Liberty

The film centers on Chinese immigrant life in New York City and the Chinatown community around China House. It moves from the voyage across the ocean to Steel Bull Canyon, where laborers toil under harsh supervisors. Iconic locations like the Statue of Liberty and Japan frame the climactic martial-arts battles, blending Western landmarks with Eastern legend.

🏙️ Urban landscape 🧭 Immigrant communities 🛖 Traditional meeting place

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:37

Main Characters – A Man Called Hero (1999)

Meet the key characters of A Man Called Hero (1999), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Hero Hua (Ekin Cheng Yee-Kin)

A skilled martial artist burdened by a foretelling misfortune, Hero is wary of closeness after Jade's death and the fear of losing loved ones. He carries Pride's legacy and ultimately inherits leadership, torn between protecting Sword and pursuing justice. His stoic exterior hides a deep sense of responsibility for family and community.

🗡️ Martial artist 💔 Burdened by fate 👨‍👦 Father figure

Jade (Kristy Yeung Kung Yu)

Jade is Hero's partner and the mother of Sword, who dies from blood loss during childbirth, leaving a lasting void in Hero's life. Her memory anchors Hero's motivation and fuels his protective instincts toward their son. She embodies love tempered by tragedy.

💖 Lover 💔 Tragic figure 👪 Family matriarch

Sword Hua

Sword Hua is Hero's son, a living link to his father’s legacy. He travels with Sheng to New York, facing danger and seeking his father’s recognition. His journey explores belonging and identity within the immigrant mythos.

👦 Heir to legacy 🗡️ Young warrior 🧭 Quest for belonging

Shadow (voice)

Shadow is Hero's elder ally who rescued him in the past and narrates the tale of Hero's feats. He remains a steadfast figure in Sword's life, guiding him while the shadow of Hero’s destiny lingers. His loyalty underscores mentorship and sacrifice.

🛡️ Mentor 🗺️ Storyteller 🧭 Loyal ally

Monk Luohan

Luohan is the wise hermit who befriended Hero on the ship and later sacrifices himself to save laborers at Steel Bull Canyon. He embodies selflessness and the spiritual dimension of the story, offering guidance to heroes in moments of crisis.

🧘‍♂️ Spiritual guide 🛡️ Self-sacrifice 🕊️ Wisdom

Invincible (Francis Ng)

Invincible is Pride's rival and Hero's formidable foe in New York, a master who seeks to defeat Hero to assert his own supremacy. His arrival in New York sparks a climactic duel atop the Statue of Liberty. He embodies the relentless, jealous rival archetype.

🏹 Rival 🗡️ Master fighter 🌀 Jealousy

Bull (Bigot)

Bull is a traitor figure who uses brute force to kidnap Sword's twin sister and escalate danger. His confrontation with Hero culminates in a decisive downfall during the final battles in the city.

⚔️ Antagonist 🧨 Traitor 🐂 Brute force

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:37

Major Themes – A Man Called Hero (1999)

Explore the central themes of A Man Called Hero (1999), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🧭 Family & Fate

Hero's legacy colors his relationships, with Jade's death and his fear of closeness shaping a guarded, protective stance toward Sword and Shadow. The Star of Death prophecy looms over his decisions, testing his duty to family and community. The theme follows how loyalty and love endure amid trauma and misfortune.

🗡️ Vengeance & Justice

The story centers on avenging past wrongs and defending laborers against exploitation in Steel Bull Canyon. Hero steps into Pride's shoes to confront Invincible and safeguard the workers, culminating in battles across the city and on Liberty Island. Revenge is tempered by responsibility and solidarity.

🌐 Diaspora & Identity

New York's Chinatown functions as a home-away-from-home where tradition and community survive far from China. The characters navigate cross-cultural dynamics, love, and loyalty while forging a new life across the ocean. The film portrays the immigrant experience as a source of resilience and personal struggle.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:37

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A Man Called Hero Summary

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A Man Called Hero Summary

A Man Called Hero Timeline

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A Man Called Hero Timeline

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More About A Man Called Hero

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