Ip Man
Historical Action Drama + Stoic Resilience + Crushed Coal. A portrait of a peaceful grandmaster whose quiet dignity becomes a roaring fire of resistance amidst the desaturated ruins of war-torn China.
Ip Man
Ip Man

葉問

"The celebrated Kung Fu master of Bruce Lee."

12 December 2008 China 106 min ⭐ 7.8 (3,990)
Director: Wilson Yip
Cast: Donnie Yen, Simon Yam, Lynn Hung Doi-Lam, Hiroyuki Ikeuchi, Gordon Lam Ka-Tung
Drama History Action
Dignity in Adversity Nationalism and Resistance Humility vs. Aggression Family and Duty
Budget: $11,700,000
Box Office: $22,100,000

Ip Man - Movie Quotes

Memorable Quotes

I want to fight ten!

— Ip Man

Context:

Standing in the Japanese dojo arena after witnessing his friend brutally executed, Ip Man demands to fight ten karate black belts simultaneously.

Meaning:

The film's most iconic line. It marks the breaking point of Ip Man's restraint. It is not a boast, but a cry of rage and grief over the senseless death of Master Liu, demanding justice through the only language the oppressors understand.

There are no men who fear their wives, only men who respect them.

— Ip Man

Context:

Said to Master Liu and Jin Shanzhao when taunted about asking his wife's permission to fight.

Meaning:

Reveals Ip Man's progressive and gentle nature. He reframes the perceived weakness of being 'henpecked' into a virtue of mutual respect, disarming a challenger with wisdom rather than fists.

The virtue of martial arts is benevolence. This is something the Japanese will never understand.

— Ip Man

Context:

Spoken to General Miura during their final confrontation, rejecting the General's offer to teach the Japanese troops.

Meaning:

Defines the core philosophical conflict. Ip Man asserts that violence without morality is merely brutality, and that true power comes from the heart, not the fist.