History of Action Film

Sean W.

Conventions of Action Film

Action films usually involve a fairly straightforward story of good guys versus bad guys, where most disputes are resolved by using physical force.

The plot can be easily summarized in a simple sentence .

Tend to have a single heroic protagonist

Usually big budget special effects and stunt work.

Includes a lot of high-energy, fast paced activities like chase scenes, martial arts, shoot-outs, escaping etc.

Females are portrayed as object of the look , such as a prize for the winner, hostages, loving wives etc. Recently, there has been a move towards stronger female characters. (Tomb Raider, Underworld, Kill Bill etc)

Early 1900’s-The Beginning

This film genre actually began with the silent era, with Edwin S. Porter's classic action-western The Great Train Robbery (1903).

Popular action films around that time were mostly westerns.

60’s rise of the Genre- James Bond, Agent 007 Spy series

Beginning in the Cold War 60s, the Bond action/adventure spy pictures appealed to large audiences with their exotic, locales, slick dialogue, nifty gadgets, fast-action suspense and audacious stunts, and gorgeous women.

The action-oriented, sophisticated agent, with a taste for dry martinis and cars were played by 5 actors in 20 movies since the first of its series- Dr.No(1962).

According to Guinness World Records, the most profitable film series of all time is "James Bond."

Imitators/Followers

The Ipcress File (1965)

The Silencers (1966)

Bullitt (1968)

The French Connection (1971)

Mission Impossible 2 (2000)

Spy Game (2001)

Triple X (2002)

Etc.

The 70’s Martial arts films.

Bruce Lee - The popular, Hong Kong kung fu genre was catapulted to world-wide prominence in the 1970s with Bruce Lee's four martial-arts films, with spectacular fight scenes. Which started a genre of Hollywood made martial arts films. Fists of Fury (1971) - Lee's first film The Chinese Connection (1972)Enter the Dragon (1973) with Lee in his first (and last) English-language (and Hollywood-produced) film Actor/director Lee's Return of the Dragon (1973) and co-starring Chuck Norris

Some Imitators/Followers

Actors:Jean-Claude Van Damme Bloodsport (1988), Kickboxer (1989), Death Warrant (1990), Double Impact (1991), Hard Target (1993) etc.

Jet LiRomeo Must Die(2000), The one (2001), Kiss of the Dragon(2001),Cradle to the Grave (2003) etc.

Steven SegalChuck NorrisEtc.

80’s and 90’sBy the 1980s, action films became more fast paced, violent, and expensive to produce, featuring raw, indestructible, powerful and muscular heroes:Chuck Norris, American kung fu and karate expert following in the tradition of Bruce Lee .(Missing in Action (1984), Delta Force (1986), Walker: Texas Ranger (1994).Sylvester Stallone, famous for his war-oriented action films First Blood (1982), First Blood II (1985) , Rambo 3 (1988). Also Cliffhanger (1993), Demolition Man (1993), Judge Dredd (1995), Cop Land (1997). Steven Seagal, a stern-faced Aikido expert (Above the Law (1988), Hard to Kill (1989), Under Siege (1992).Arnold Schwarzenegger, the Austria born star that became a symbol for action heroes.(Conan the Barbarian (1982), Commando (1986), The Terminator (1984), Predator (1987), Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991), True Lies (1994).

90’s continued

Jackie Chan- A variant on the martial-arts films has been the films of Jackie Chan, and his numerous 80s and 90s Hong-Kong and US-produced action comedies. Success finally arrived for Chan with Rumble in the Bronx (1996), First Strike (1996), Rush Hour (1998), Mr. Nice Guy (1998), Shanghai Noon (1999).

Recent Action Films

The Matrix trilogy:

A hybrid of action and science-fiction films. Made popular by its special effects.

The Lord of the Rings trilogy:

A hybrid of action and fantasy films. Based on JRR Tokein’s novels.

Kill Bill Vol.1 and 2:

A celebration of 70’s martial arts films, and Japanese director Akira Kurosawa’s Samurai films of the 50’s and 60’s. ( He won 2 Academy Awards in 1951 and 1985 for best foreign films and an Honorary award in 1990. His films inspired many movie makers including George Lucas, the creator of Star Wars.)

Action Film Parodies/Spoofs

Martial Art Films

Kung Pow: Enter the fist (2002)

Spy FilmsAustin Powers films (1997, 1999,

2002)

Johnny English (2003)

The Naked Gun (1988)

Last Action Hero (1993) - a spoof of the 80’s action films.

Personal Favorites

1. Fist of Legend (1993)

2. Romeo must Die (2000)

3. The Matrix Trilogy (1999-2003)

4. The Last Samurai (2003)

5. Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)

6. Enter the Dragon ( 1973)

7. The Professional (1994)

8. Rush Hour (1999)

9. Speed (1994)

10. Kill Bill(2004)