In 1935, the town of Foshan, China, thrives as a hub of martial arts, home to many schools practicing different styles of Southern Chinese kung fu. Among the town’s residents is Ip Man (Donnie Yen), a highly skilled and respected martial artist who chooses to live quietly, avoiding public displays of his prowess. Despite his low profile, Ip occasionally participates in closed-door sparring matches with other masters, solidifying his reputation as the most talented martial artist in Foshan.
One day, a mischievous boy named Yuan retrieves his kite from a tree in Ip’s backyard. While there, Yuan inadvertently witnesses Ip defeating Master Liu, another local kung fu master, in a private sparring session. Excited by what he saw, Yuan spreads the story around Foshan, unintentionally embarrassing Liu. Yuan’s brother Lin, a restaurant owner and one of Liu’s disciples, is frustrated by Yuan’s actions and tries to mediate a rematch between Liu and Ip. However, tensions cool as the situation diffuses without further conflict.
The War Begins
In 1937, the Second Sino-Japanese War devastates China. Foshan falls under Japanese occupation, drastically altering the lives of its residents. The wealthy Ip family is forced to abandon their luxurious home when the Imperial Japanese Army confiscates it for their military headquarters. Relocated to a decrepit apartment, Ip struggles to provide for his wife and young son. To make ends meet, Ip takes a job at a coal mine, where he reconnects with Lin. Lin expresses regret over never reconciling with his brother Liu after Yuan’s actions had embarrassed them both.
Meanwhile, General Miura, a Japanese karate master, sets up an arena where Chinese martial artists can fight Japanese soldiers. Victors earn a bag of rice as a reward, a tempting offer for many impoverished locals. Li Zhao, a former Foshan police officer now working as an interpreter for the Japanese, invites Chinese fighters to participate. Initially, Ip refuses the invitation, wanting to avoid involvement. However, when Lin disappears after entering the arena, Ip decides to investigate.
The Arena
At the arena, Ip witnesses a brutal and unjust system. Master Liu, having defeated a Japanese opponent in a previous match, is forced to fight three karateka simultaneously. After losing the second fight and surrendering, Liu picks up his bag of rice, only to be executed by Colonel Sato, Miura’s ruthless deputy. Deducing that Lin had also been killed in the arena, Ip steps forward and demands to fight ten karateka at once. Demonstrating unmatched skill, Ip defeats them all in a fierce and merciless display of Wing Chun. Miura is impressed by Ip’s abilities and asks him to return for further matches. Ip, however, collects Liu’s bag of rice and delivers it to Liu’s family before leaving.
Jin Shanzhao’s Gang
Meanwhile, Jin Shanzhao, a Northern Chinese martial artist who had previously defeated all the Foshan masters except Ip, has now become a bandit leader. Jin and his gang target a local cotton mill owned by Chow Ching-chuen, a friend of Ip. Desperate for protection, Chow asks Ip for help. Ip agrees to train the mill workers in Wing Chun for self-defense. Under his guidance, the workers prepare to face Jin’s gang.
When Jin and his men return to the mill, the workers successfully hold them off until Ip arrives. In a heated battle, Ip defeats Jin and his men, including Yuan, who has joined the gang. After the fight, Ip confronts Yuan and informs him of Lin’s death, handing him a small tin that once belonged to his brother. Inside the tin, Yuan finds his childhood kite, which moves him deeply. This moment inspires Yuan to leave the gang and turn his life around.
Ip Becomes a Target
Ip’s refusal to return to the Japanese arena does not go unnoticed. General Miura sends Sato and several soldiers to locate him. They track Ip to his apartment, but Ip overpowers them in a brief skirmish and escapes with his family. Seeking refuge, Ip hides in Li Zhao’s home, but his safety is short-lived. The Japanese discover Ip’s connection to the cotton mill and take the workers hostage, forcing Ip to surrender himself to protect them.
Brought before General Miura, Ip is offered a position to train Japanese soldiers in Chinese martial arts. Ip flatly refuses and instead challenges Miura to a duel. Sato, eager to see Ip eliminated, suggests executing him immediately, but Miura insists on accepting the challenge to demonstrate Japanese superiority. Behind Miura’s back, Sato threatens Ip, warning him to throw the fight or face death.
The Final Duel
The duel is held in the town square, drawing a large crowd of Chinese residents and Japanese soldiers. Ip and Miura engage in an intense battle, showcasing their respective martial arts styles. Despite Miura’s strength and skill, Ip’s precision, adaptability, and mastery of Wing Chun allow him to gain the upper hand. After a grueling fight, Ip delivers a decisive blow, defeating Miura in front of the crowd. The victory sparks a wave of celebration among the Chinese onlookers.
As the crowd erupts, Sato pulls out his gun and shoots Ip in the shoulder, enraging the crowd. In the ensuing chaos, Li Zhao seizes Sato’s gun and kills him, while the Chinese citizens overwhelm the remaining Japanese soldiers. Chow Ching-chuen helps the wounded Ip escape, smuggling him and his family out of Foshan.
Ip and his family flee to Hong Kong, where they find safety from the Japanese occupation. Despite the hardships he endured, Ip dedicates the rest of his life to spreading the teachings of Wing Chun. He establishes a school and trains many students, including a young Bruce Lee, who would go on to become a global martial arts icon.
The film concludes with a montage of Ip’s later years and captions describing his enduring legacy in the world of martial arts.
