The 1986 action classic where Jackie Chan nearly lost his life for a stunt
In short: Armour of God is a cult classic that blends martial arts with Indiana Jones-style adventure. While it became a massive box office success, the production is best remembered for a near-fatal accident involving Jackie Chan, who suffered a fractured skull after a routine jump went horribly wrong during filming.
Released in 1986, Armour of God stars Jackie Chan as the Asian Hawk, a treasure hunter searching for pieces of a legendary suit of armour. The plot follows his quest to rescue a kidnapped friend from a religious cult, leading to a series of elaborate stunts across Yugoslavia, Austria, France, Spain, and Morocco. The film is celebrated for its mix of comedy and high-stakes action, earning a 71% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
The production was defined by a harrowing incident during the opening sequence. Chan attempted to leap from a wall to a tree, but the branch snapped, causing him to fall five metres. His head struck a rock, forcing bone into his brain. He underwent an eight-hour surgery and was left with a permanent plastic plug in his skull and partial hearing loss. Footage of this accident is included in the film's closing credits, and Eric Tsang took over as director to complete the project.
The film was a financial powerhouse, securing the top spot at the Hong Kong box office upon its release. It grossed approximately US$16.3 million across Asia and Europe, a figure estimated to be worth US$48 million in 2025. Despite its success, the film's international distribution was complicated. In the United States, it bypassed theaters entirely, eventually appearing on home video with a new score and nine minutes of footage removed, including scenes featuring the band The Losers.
The film's legacy persists through its sequels and its influence on the action genre. It was followed by Operation Condor in 1991 and CZ12 in 2012, with a fourth installment, Ultimatum, expected in 2027. In 2014, Time Out critics ranked it 81st on a list of the greatest action films ever made, cementing its status as a landmark in Chan's career.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Armour of God (film)
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