Kung fu film breaks China records

The Promise sees Jang Dong-Gun's slave fall in love with a princess

Kung fu epic film The Promise has taken $9m (£5.1m) in its first four days of release, making it the biggest-ever movie opening in China.

Chen Kaige's film broke the previous record set by Kung Fu Hustle, according to trade website Screen Daily.

The Promise, which cost a reported $42m (£23.7m) to make, is China's submission for the best foreign film Oscar and is up for a Golden Globe.

The film stars Korean actor Jang Dung-Kun and Japan's Hiroyuki Sanada.

Comedy

The Promise's budget is reported to be the highest in Chinese history, overtaking the $30m spent on 2002's Hero, directed by Chen's former cinematographer Zhang Yimou.

It took $2.6m (£1.47m) on its opening day and highest single day revenue on 17 December was estimated to be £3m (£1.7m) - again breaking the record set by Kung Fu Hustle of $2.7m.

Martial arts comedy film Kung Fu Hustle, directed by Stephen Chou, was released in China in 2004.

The Promise - renamed Master of the Crimson Armor in the US - enjoyed a modest debut in Hong Kong where it took $310,000 (£175,500).

It opened against King Kong which raked in $1.3m (£735,600), while a limited release of Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire took $480,000 (£271,650).