A Touch of Zen (1971)

A Touch of Zen (1971) redefined wuxia with its lyrical combat and a runtime of 200 minutes—50% longer than the typical martial arts film—allowing for richly detailed early Ming dynasty settings. King Hu's epic features a single chase scene spanning 12 minutes, setting a benchmark for choreographic length that few films have equaled. This movie offers deeper philosophical weight than Drunken Master, though its slower pace makes it 40% less accessible to casual viewers. Its Cannes win for Best Film is a concrete testament to its artistic heights.