Wing Chun grandmaster Ip Man (Donnie Yen) has the perfect family, plenty of money, a beautiful house, and a blossoming martial arts academy. But when the Japanese occupy his hometown of Foshan during the Sino-Japanese war of 1937, Ip, like the rest of the locals, is forced into hard labor and brutal sparring matches for the enemy's amusement. His incredible skills soon catch the eye of a Japanese Colonel who wants Ip to teach Wing Chun to his soldiers. When Ip refuses, he faces the most intense challenge to both his training and his honor.