Biography
He has appeared onscreen as an actor, yet, when Shaw studios felt that he possibly had what it took to become a director. He would eventually help to start the Swordpaly trend in Hong Kong. He directed one of the most important martial arts films of the 60's, Come Drink with Me, which was the catalyst for the whole swordplay genre of the 60's. He won critical acclaim for his swordplay classic A Touch Of Zen and the 1969 version of Dragon Inn, starring Pai Ying and Polly Shang-Kuan.
He also discovered starlets Hsu Feng, Polly Shang Kuan, and his greatest find - Cheng Pei-Pei, who was the Queen of Swordplay Films. One of his last films, which I thought was one of his best, was the film The Valiant Ones. It features most of Jim Yuen's top students as extras. He died on January 15th, 1997 in the Taipei Hospital at the age of (66), just prior to undergoing heart surgery. He had been suffering from hypertension, myocardial impaction and occlusive arterial disease for many years. He had emigrated to the United States from Hong Kong several years ago. His excellent direction and his eye for talent will be sorely missed.
He also discovered starlets Hsu Feng, Polly Shang Kuan, and his greatest find - Cheng Pei-Pei, who was the Queen of Swordplay Films. One of his last films, which I thought was one of his best, was the film The Valiant Ones. It features most of Jim Yuen's top students as extras. He died on January 15th, 1997 in the Taipei Hospital at the age of (66), just prior to undergoing heart surgery. He had been suffering from hypertension, myocardial impaction and occlusive arterial disease for many years. He had emigrated to the United States from Hong Kong several years ago. His excellent direction and his eye for talent will be sorely missed.