Action cinema, often thought of as a genre dominated by muscular men and high-octane stunts, has also been home to fierce and resilient female leads from the early days of cinema to the modern screen. While male action stars like Stallone and Schwarzenegger might come to mind first, female action icons have equally captivated audiences with skill, grace, and grit, challenging traditional roles in cinema and reshaping the concept of “strength” on screen.
In the British Film Institute’s (BFI) national film season, Art of Action, the achievements of female action stars are put front and center. The season pays tribute to the history and evolution of action films, revealing how female leads have left their mark on the genre. Female stars, often relegated to supporting roles or used for visual appeal, have defied stereotypes, demonstrating that action films aren’t just for men but are a platform where women shine just as brightly.
Pioneers of Female Action
While the stereotypical action hero might be a man with muscles, a quick look back into cinematic history reveals trailblazing female action stars who redefined expectations. During the silent film era of the early 1900s, “serial queens” like Pearl White captivated audiences with their fearless performances in episodic films. White starred in The Perils of Pauline (1914), performing her own stunts and showcasing bravery that rivaled her male counterparts. Helen Gibson’s Hazards of Helen series followed shortly after, featuring incredible stunts like escaping from burning train cars—a testament to her resilience both as a character and an actress. These early pioneers not only showcased women’s strength and capability but also subtly pushed against the norms of womanly decorum in a time when women were still fighting for suffrage.
The BFI’s tribute to these early pioneers highlights that female action stars have been around since the dawn of cinema, even if mainstream audiences have largely overlooked their contributions. In a genre associated with hyper-masculinity, these women stood out by showing that they could do it all—from jumping from cliffs to high-speed chases—all without sacrificing grace or beauty.
From Blaxploitation to Blockbusters: The Rise of Female Action Stars
Fast forward to the 1970s, when Pam Grier emerged as an action icon in the blaxploitation genre. Her roles in films like Foxy Brown and Coffy were not just action-packed but also culturally significant, as she became one of the first African-American women to dominate the action genre. Grier held a black belt in karate, and her skill combined with her charisma inspired future generations of women. She demonstrated that a woman could hold her own in action sequences without conforming to the male gaze, instead presenting a powerful, independent persona.
The BFI’s Art of Action season also celebrates the work of Asian cinema’s female action heroes, like Michelle Yeoh, whose path to stardom is a tale of transformation and dedication. Starting as a beauty queen with a dance background, Yeoh rose to fame in Hong Kong action films in the 1980s and 1990s. Performing her stunts with elegance and a touch of vulnerability, she proved that women could handle high-stakes action scenes. Her recent success in Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022) won her an Academy Award, but her groundbreaking work in films like Yes Madam! and Police Story 3 remains just as crucial to her legacy. Yeoh’s approach has inspired other women in action, showing that dedication to craft and self-belief can redefine perceptions.
Inspiring the Modern Action Heroine
By the late 20th century, female action heroes became more common, with iconic characters like Sigourney Weaver’s Ellen Ripley in Alien (1979) and Linda Hamilton’s Sarah Connor in Terminator 2 (1991) marking a shift in the genre. These roles showed that women could possess both emotional depth and physical prowess, setting a new standard for what it meant to be a “tough girl” on screen. The rise of Marvel’s Black Widow and other superhero films of the 21st century continued this trend, drawing on the resilience and complex portrayals of their predecessors.
Yet, even today, female action stars like Scarlett Johansson, Zoe Saldana, and Margot Robbie often face double standards. As Georgia Munroe, a parkour athlete and stuntwoman for Jurassic World and Wonder Woman 1984, shares, women in action still feel the need to prove themselves repeatedly. Munroe notes that while performing in high-stakes stunts, women are often judged more harshly if things don’t go perfectly. The pressure to be flawless on set is a testament to the double standards that persist even in the modern era, but Munroe and others like her continue to push boundaries, proving that women belong on the action stage.
The Legacy of Asian Cinema
Asian cinema, particularly in Hong Kong, has also been instrumental in showcasing women in action-packed roles. Cynthia Rothrock, an American martial artist, found stardom in Hong Kong before becoming popular in the West. Her work redefined the portrayal of women in martial arts, blending physical agility with emotional strength. Tarantino’s Kill Bill series famously drew inspiration from the likes of Meiko Kaji’s Lady Snowblood and Angela Mao’s Lady Whirlwind, demonstrating that the Asian action film industry has long influenced the portrayal of women in Western cinema.
A Legacy Carried Forward
The BFI’s Art of Action series brings an often-overlooked legacy into the spotlight, reminding audiences that the history of female action stars is deep-rooted and inspirational. Today, films like The Woman King (2022) celebrate the strength, skill, and tenacity of women, especially women of color, while highlighting the importance of athleticism and talent over appearance. Nida Manzoor’s Polite Society, a modern take on the action-comedy genre, features a young girl aspiring to be a stuntwoman—a tribute to pioneers like Eunice Huthart, one of the UK’s first female stunt coordinators.
By showcasing these stories, the BFI underscores that action cinema belongs to women as much as it does to men. As Munroe states, the more visibility female action stars receive, the more their achievements inspire women globally to pursue their potential. From the silent film stars of the early 1900s to modern-day superheroines, female action stars continue to prove that the world of action cinema is a powerful, inclusive space that celebrates resilience and courage on and off the screen.
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