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.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Once Upon a Time in China and America yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

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

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Cross-Cultural Action Movies like Once Upon a Time in China and America

Heroes navigate intense conflict and martial arts action within a clash of cultures.Explore movies like Once Upon a Time in China and America that blend martial arts with Western genres and explore themes of cultural tension. If you enjoyed the fusion of action styles and the hero's journey in a foreign land, you'll find similar thrilling stories here.

action-packedtensecultstylizedconfrontationalheroicnostalgic

Narrative Summary

Stories in this thread typically follow a highly skilled individual or group entering a culture vastly different from their own. The central conflict arises from this cultural clash, often manifesting as prejudice, political corruption, or outright violence. The narrative is propelled by intense action sequences where the protagonist must use their unique skills to overcome adversity and ultimately bridge the divide or achieve justice.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here for their unique blend of action genres and their thematic focus on cultural conflict. They share a high-energy, tense atmosphere where heroes defined by one tradition must prove themselves in another, creating a dynamic and visually exciting experience centered on identity and resilience.

Amnesia Action Thrillers Similar to Once Upon a Time in China and America

A fighter with lost memories must rediscover their identity to confront a looming threat.Find movies similar to Once Upon a Time in China and America where the hero's journey involves memory loss. If you liked the plot of Wong Fei-Hong overcoming amnesia to fight corruption, you'll enjoy these other stories of fighters rediscovering their past.

tensemysteriousaction-packedsuspensefulheroicthrillingredemptive

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern begins with a skilled individual losing their memory, often due to a traumatic event. They are thrust into a new, confusing reality while being hunted by antagonists connected to their forgotten life. The plot unfolds as they slowly recover fragments of their past, simultaneously learning to trust new allies and re-master their abilities for a final, defining battle that resolves the mystery of their identity.

Why These Movies?

These movies are grouped by the compelling narrative device of amnesia, which creates immediate mystery and a unique character arc. They share a fast pace, high stakes, and a focus on action-driven redemption, as the protagonist's physical prowess becomes intrinsically linked to their psychological recovery.

Unlock the Full Story of Once Upon a Time in China and America

Don't stop at just watching — explore Once Upon a Time in China and America in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Once Upon a Time in China and America is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Once Upon a Time in China and America Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Once Upon a Time in China and America, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Once Upon a Time in China and America Summary

Once Upon a Time in China and America Timeline

Track the full timeline of Once Upon a Time in China and America with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Once Upon a Time in China and America Timeline

Once Upon a Time in China and America Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Once Upon a Time in China and America that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Once Upon a Time in China and America Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Once Upon a Time in China and America

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Once Upon a Time in China and America: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Once Upon a Time in China and America

Similar Movies to Once Upon a Time in China and America

Discover movies like Once Upon a Time in China and America that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.