Once Upon a Time in China and America

Once Upon a Time in China and America

Year: 1997

Runtime: 102 mins

Language: Cantonese

Director: Sammo Hung Kam-Bo

ActionWestern

So travels to the United States to establish a martial‑arts school amid a wave of Chinese laborers forced onto American railroads under brutal conditions. Growing anti‑Chinese sentiment among the workers and local gangs puts him in danger, prompting him to request aid from Master Wong as tensions rise.

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Timeline & Setting – Once Upon a Time in China and America (1997)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Once Upon a Time in China and America (1997). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

early 20th century

Set in the early 1900s, the story frames a period of heavy Chinese migration to America and rising social tensions. Discriminatory laws and local corruption raise the stakes for Wong and Po-chi-lam as they fight to protect their community. The era's atmosphere of prejudice and upheaval drives both drama and action.

Location

San Francisco, California, USA, American wilderness

The action unfolds in San Francisco where Bucktooth So has opened a Po-chi-lam clinic and where Wong and his companions encounter immigrant communities. The journey also drives them through rugged wilderness, testing the group with ambushes and survival challenges. The settings juxtapose the city’s immigrant struggles with frontier dangers, shaping the film’s conflicts and resolutions.

🌁 Urban 🧭 Frontier

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:46

Main Characters – Once Upon a Time in China and America (1997)

Meet the key characters of Once Upon a Time in China and America (1997), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Wong Fei Hung (Jet Li)

A renowned martial artist and physician who travels from China to America with his companion. He suffers memory loss after a head injury and is later aided by a Native American tribe. He eventually regains his memory in San Francisco while working to clear Po-chi-lam’s name and protect those around him.

🥋 Kung Fu 🛡️ Hero 🧭 Traveler

13th Aunt (Aunt Yee) (Rosamund Kwan)

Wong’s romantic interest who joins him on the journey to America. She shows steadfast support and courage as the group navigates danger and prejudice. Her presence adds emotional depth to the mission to safeguard the clinic and its people.

💘 Romance 🧭 Ally

Bucktooth So (Dr. So)

Owner of the Po-chi-lam clinic in San Francisco, he travels with Wong and the others. His medical knowledge and leadership anchor the group as they face threats from corrupt officials and rival tribes. The clinic stands as a cultural beacon amid hostility.

🏥 Healer 🧭 Ally

Billy (Jason Scott)

A friendly cowboy who is nearly dying of thirst when the party rescues him. He becomes a crucial ally and helps reveal the mayor’s scheme. His practical optimism helps keep the team focused amid escalating danger.

🤠 Cowboy 🧭 Ally

Fierce Eagle (Jason De Hoyos)

The chief’s son of a Native American tribe who is injured by a rival tribe. His injury catalyzes a broader conflict that Wong helps resolve with his combat skill and leadership. The arc highlights honor and tribal stakes in the broader struggle.

🪶 Native ⚔️ Warrior

Flying Eagle (Daniel Luján)

A member of the same Native American tribe who interacts with Wong’s party after they are saved. He supports the alliance between tribes and participates in the unfolding conflict and resolution. His presence emphasizes the film’s broader cultural context.

🪶 Native 🧭 Ally

Bandit Leader (Joseph Sayah)

A Mexican bandit hired by the corrupt mayor to rob the bank and frame Po-chi-lam. He embodies the external threat that Wong must confront to prove the clinic’s innocence. Wong ultimately captures the bandit to clear the community’s name.

🗡️ Villain 🧭 Antagonist

Mum (Deborah Kay Hooker)

A maternal figure within the migrant community who provides emotional support amid upheaval. Her presence underscores the personal stakes behind the struggle for acceptance and safety. She serves as a grounding influence for the younger characters.

👩‍👧 Family 🫶 Support

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:46

Major Themes – Once Upon a Time in China and America (1997)

Explore the central themes of Once Upon a Time in China and America (1997), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🛡️ Heroism

Wong Fei Hung consistently acts with martial prowess and a strong moral code, protecting his friends and community. He defeats aggressive foes and stands up for those targeted by injustice. The film frames courage as a collective strain that sustains the vulnerable.

🧭 Prejudice

Discriminatory laws and biased politics target Chinese migrants, complicating their quest for fairness and survival. Wong and his allies confront bias while striving to defend Po-chi-lam and its workers. The story uses conflict with authorities and rival groups to explore how prejudice shapes every setback.

🧠 Memory

Wong’s bout of amnesia creates a narrative gap that tests trust and loyalty among companions. Regaining memory alters relationships and raises questions about identity and responsibility. Even after memory returns, the impact of the blackout lingers in the characters’ choices.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:46

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Once Upon a Time in China and America Summary

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Once Upon a Time in China and America Summary

Once Upon a Time in China and America Timeline

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Once Upon a Time in China and America Timeline

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