[Recs] Looking for the grittiest, most brutal 70s Hong Kong martial arts films — no fantasy/wuxia, just hard-hitting realism
Hey everyone. I've gotten really into old-school HK action films with a raw, grounded style — already watched King Boxer (Five Fingers of Death) and The Boxer from Shantung (1972) and loved how brutal and unflinching they are: real blood, broken bones, gritty street-level fights, zero magic or flying swordsmen nonsense.
What I'm specifically looking for:
- Grounded, real-world settings — kung fu schools, triads, port towns, back alleys
- No wuxia/fantasy elements — no flying heroes, mystical techniques, or supernatural powers
- Hard-hitting, visceral choreography — fights that feel like they actually hurt
- Bonus points for that gritty, low-budget 70s grindhouse feel
Any recommendations along these lines — Shaw Brothers, Golden Harvest, or otherwise — would be hugely appreciated. Bonus if there are hidden gems that don't always show up on the usual "best kung fu movies" lists.