Taiwanese screenwriter and director Su Chao Bin wrote this Ming Dynasty wuxia drama primarily for Michelle Yeoh to star in. According to Su and producer Terence Chang, the approach was to do a story in the style of Gu Long's wuxia, populated with multiple characters plus a touch of suspense and mystery. Producer John Woo's input is mainly as an adviser, but he did direct one action scene which featured his daughter and thereby also credited as co-director. Su won the Best Director award for his effort at the 17th Hong Kong Film Critics Society Awards.
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The story starts off with an interesting animated prologue detailing the arrival of Monk Bodhi from India some eight hundred years ago. He spent his early years preaching in the Palace and then retired to Mt Jinhua where he trained and...
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The story starts off with an interesting animated prologue detailing the arrival of Monk Bodhi from India some eight hundred years ago. He spent his early years preaching in the Palace and then retired to Mt Jinhua where he trained and...
- 10/27/2023
- by David Chew
- AsianMoviePulse
There can be a debate when it comes to adaptations of literature: Is it best to have read the source material or not? Reading it gives you an understanding of character and context so are not confused by any cinematic shorthand that presumes your understanding. Yet, coming in without that knowledge also removes any images that have formed in your head and so you base everything purely on what is presented to you on screen. “Creation of the Gods: Kingdom of Storms” is part one of a trilogy based on the classic work “Investiture of the Gods” written in the Ming Dynasty by Xu Zhonglin. With the second and third parts to follow, Well Go USA are bringing the opening chapter to the west and introducing the tale to a largely unfamiliar (Including this reviewer) audience.
Creation of the Gods: Kingdom of Storms is released from WellGo USA
Prince Yin...
Creation of the Gods: Kingdom of Storms is released from WellGo USA
Prince Yin...
- 10/7/2023
- by Ben Stykuc
- AsianMoviePulse
Another Shaw Brothers collaboration between novelist Gu Long, director Chor Yuen and actor Ti Lung, this third installment of the Chu Liu Hsiang film series is actually a follow up to “Legend of the Bat” (1978) which started with “Clans of Intrigue” back in 1977. The English title is rather misleading since it has nothing to do with Chu's “The Sentimental Swordsman” film series which starred Ti Lung as Little Flying Dagger Li, a different character altogether.
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Also by adapting the story from the fifth novel “Phantom Manor” of another Gu's wuxia series “The Legend of Lu Xiao Feng” and not from “The Legend of Chu Liu Hsiang” series itself, this further makes things more complicated. Chor adapts the story but replaces the protagonist Lu with Chu Liu Hsiang instead. However, the Chinese title which translates as “Chu Liu Hsiang:...
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Also by adapting the story from the fifth novel “Phantom Manor” of another Gu's wuxia series “The Legend of Lu Xiao Feng” and not from “The Legend of Chu Liu Hsiang” series itself, this further makes things more complicated. Chor adapts the story but replaces the protagonist Lu with Chu Liu Hsiang instead. However, the Chinese title which translates as “Chu Liu Hsiang:...
- 8/2/2023
- by David Chew
- AsianMoviePulse
“Clans of Intrigue” was Chor Yuen's first and highly successful adaptation of Gu Long's “Fragrance from the Sea of Blood”, a series of three wuxia novels about Chu Liu Hsiang. A sequel adapted from the first installment of a five-novel series “The New Legend of Chu Liu Hsiang” titled “Legend of the Bat” soon followed and saw the return of protagonist Chu “Lingering Fragrance” and with the help of his ally Yi Tian Hung investigating more mysteries and murder cases.
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A combination of footage from its predecessor “Clans of Intrigue” which also serves as a recap and opening credits kick off the film nicely. Immediately after, the viewers are transported to Bat Island where an auction is being held in almost total darkness. It is the autumn of the Jiawu Year and on this island owned by...
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A combination of footage from its predecessor “Clans of Intrigue” which also serves as a recap and opening credits kick off the film nicely. Immediately after, the viewers are transported to Bat Island where an auction is being held in almost total darkness. It is the autumn of the Jiawu Year and on this island owned by...
- 6/15/2023
- by David Chew
- AsianMoviePulse
Best known for his novels, film producer, screenwriter and novelist Xiong Yao Hua (pen name Gu Long) wrote “Xiao Li Fei Dao” (“Little Li Flying Dagger”), a wuxia series consisting of five novels from 1968 to 1981. This film is an adaptation of the second novel “The Bordertown Wanderer” in which two swordsmen team up to investigate the murder case of a legendary swordsman, Bai Tian Yu. Apparently it is the 20th anniversary of his death and his son is showing up to settle the old score with the remaining surviving seven murderers.
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Set in a winter landscape, the film kicks off with Fu Hong Xue (Ti Lung), an unshaven man cladded in a poncho, walking alone on the snowy fields and frozen rivers as the opening credits roll. Obviously the same frozen location where Chor filmed his very own “The...
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Set in a winter landscape, the film kicks off with Fu Hong Xue (Ti Lung), an unshaven man cladded in a poncho, walking alone on the snowy fields and frozen rivers as the opening credits roll. Obviously the same frozen location where Chor filmed his very own “The...
- 5/29/2023
- by David Chew
- AsianMoviePulse
The same year which would see the release of Tsui Hark's much celebrated wuxia outing “Zu Warriors from the Magic Mountain” coincided with Chang Pang-yee's “The Night Orchid” arriving in cinemas. Even though the former is more known among cinephiles, both movies share a similar approach to their stories, a blend of martial arts and sword fighting, spiced with humour and fantasy. Also known as “Demon Fighter” or “Faster Blade Poisonous Darts”, the latter is an adaptation of Gu Long's novel of the same title, and typical for the kind of genre features the Taiwanese movie industry had been known for at the time. While Chang Peng-yi does not divert from the formula too much, perhaps “The Night Orchid” is worthwhile due to its visuals, which often border on being surreal or even going into horror territory.
The Night Orchid is screening at Old School Kung Fu Fest...
The Night Orchid is screening at Old School Kung Fu Fest...
- 4/16/2023
- by Rouven Linnarz
- AsianMoviePulse
There is a particular challenge in most cinema genres in making your work stand out. “Code of the Assassins” had a particularly hard route to the screen. Initially started in 2017, all sorts of production and financial problems led to a 5 year wait for it to be completed. Taking a steam punk aesthetic and directed by visual stylist Daniel Lee it certainly has potential. The only question is that after five years and a troubled production will it live up to that?
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The Assassins of Ghost Valley adhere to an ideal that their role is to maintain the order of the world. Blue Asura (William Feng) is a relatively new recruit that has recently completed his training. His motivation is revenge on those that wiped out his clan and family and joined so that he could seek vengeance. Ghost Valley...
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The Assassins of Ghost Valley adhere to an ideal that their role is to maintain the order of the world. Blue Asura (William Feng) is a relatively new recruit that has recently completed his training. His motivation is revenge on those that wiped out his clan and family and joined so that he could seek vengeance. Ghost Valley...
- 3/21/2023
- by Ben Stykuc
- AsianMoviePulse
Adapted from the first novel of Gu Long's “Xiao Li Fei Dao” (“Little Li Flying Dagger”) a wuxia series which consisted of five novels, “Duo Qing Lian Ke Wu Qing Jian” published in 1968, narrates the adventure of swordsman Li Xun Huan and his trademark use of daggers hidden in his fan. This Shaw Brothers production was a success and went on to become one of their highest grossing films ever.
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Renowned and proud swordsman Li Xun Huan (Ti Lung) has been wandering the country side with his loyal servant Chuan Jia (Fan Mei Sheng) for ten years after retiring from the martial arts community, after willingly giving up the woman he loves to his savior. But he is happy with his simple life and finds comfort in drinking wine. However, news of the reappearance of the “Plum Blossom...
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Renowned and proud swordsman Li Xun Huan (Ti Lung) has been wandering the country side with his loyal servant Chuan Jia (Fan Mei Sheng) for ten years after retiring from the martial arts community, after willingly giving up the woman he loves to his savior. But he is happy with his simple life and finds comfort in drinking wine. However, news of the reappearance of the “Plum Blossom...
- 3/14/2023
- by David Chew
- AsianMoviePulse
Ni Kuang, one of Hong Kong’s most distinguished screenwriters and novelists, has died. He was 87.
He died on Sunday in Hong Kong, with local media reporting skin cancer as the cause of death.
Ni wrote some 300 screenplays, many in the martial arts genre and many for the Shaw Brothers studio with co-writer Chang Chen. He wrote the scripts for classic films “The 36th Chamber of Shaolin” and “One Armed Swordsman” and had a hand in two of Bruce Lee’s six movies “The Big Boss” and “Fist of Fury” though the writing credit went to Wei Lo.
As a novelist, Ni wrote the “New Adventures of Wesley” a series of detective stories that often featured aliens and extra-terrestrial creatures. These were initially serialized in the Ming Pao newspaper from the 1960s and spawned numerous films and TV series (some written as ‘Wisely’).
“For those who are a bit old,...
He died on Sunday in Hong Kong, with local media reporting skin cancer as the cause of death.
Ni wrote some 300 screenplays, many in the martial arts genre and many for the Shaw Brothers studio with co-writer Chang Chen. He wrote the scripts for classic films “The 36th Chamber of Shaolin” and “One Armed Swordsman” and had a hand in two of Bruce Lee’s six movies “The Big Boss” and “Fist of Fury” though the writing credit went to Wei Lo.
As a novelist, Ni wrote the “New Adventures of Wesley” a series of detective stories that often featured aliens and extra-terrestrial creatures. These were initially serialized in the Ming Pao newspaper from the 1960s and spawned numerous films and TV series (some written as ‘Wisely’).
“For those who are a bit old,...
- 7/4/2022
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Nearly 40 years after Chor Yuen launched his acting career in the Shaw Brothers classic Death Duel, director Derek Yee returns to Gu Long’s source novel for a ravishing new adaptation. With Tsui Hark producing and action choreography from Yuen Bun and Dion Lin, Sword Master is a shamelessly old-fashioned swordplay romance that pays homage to the legacy of studio-bound wuxia dramas, while simultaneously embracing cutting-edge new technology. CGI backdrops and immersive 3D photography combine seamlessly with balletic wirework and an age-old story of duty and heroism that should delight audiences around the world. Yee casts Kenny Lin Gengxin in the role that made him a star back in 1977, as Third Master Hsiao Feng, proclaimed throughout the land as the greatest living swordsman....
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
- 11/29/2016
- Screen Anarchy
Exclusive: Well Go USA has acquired North American and UK rights to Derek Yee’s highly-anticipated martial arts epic Sword Master 3D.
Distribution Workshop is handling sales on the film, which is produced by Tsui Hark and Yee’s Film Unlimited for Bona Film Group.
Tsui previously directed and produced 3D hits such as Flying Swords Of Dragon Gate and The Taking Of Tiger Mountain.
Starring Lin Gengxin (The Taking Of Tiger Mountain) and Peter Ho (The Monkey King), Sword Master 3D is based on Gu Long’s 1975 wuxia novel The Third Master’s Sword. The film is in post-production for delivery summer 2016.
Distribution Workshop is handling sales on the film, which is produced by Tsui Hark and Yee’s Film Unlimited for Bona Film Group.
Tsui previously directed and produced 3D hits such as Flying Swords Of Dragon Gate and The Taking Of Tiger Mountain.
Starring Lin Gengxin (The Taking Of Tiger Mountain) and Peter Ho (The Monkey King), Sword Master 3D is based on Gu Long’s 1975 wuxia novel The Third Master’s Sword. The film is in post-production for delivery summer 2016.
- 3/14/2016
- by lizshackleton@gmail.com (Liz Shackleton)
- ScreenDaily
Chinese director Chen Kaige talks to Liz Shackleton about balancing commercial and creative concerns in the world’s fastest-growing film market.
Chen Kaige, who won the Palme d’Or at Cannes in 1993 for Farewell My Concubine, tackles the martial arts genre for the first time in Monk Comes Down The Mountain, which Sony co-produced with local production houses New Classics Media Corp and Beijing 21st Century Shengkai Film.
Based on a novel by martial arts writer-director Xu Haofeng, the film stars Wang Baoqiang (Lost In Thailand) as a Taoist monk who is forced to leave his temple and live in the big city, where he meets a series of ‘masters’, some well-meaning, some evil, as he attempts to figure out his role in the real world.
Aaron Kwok and Chang Chen play two of the martial arts teachers he encounters, while Lin Chiling plays the cheating wife of his first benefactor.
While the underlying...
Chen Kaige, who won the Palme d’Or at Cannes in 1993 for Farewell My Concubine, tackles the martial arts genre for the first time in Monk Comes Down The Mountain, which Sony co-produced with local production houses New Classics Media Corp and Beijing 21st Century Shengkai Film.
Based on a novel by martial arts writer-director Xu Haofeng, the film stars Wang Baoqiang (Lost In Thailand) as a Taoist monk who is forced to leave his temple and live in the big city, where he meets a series of ‘masters’, some well-meaning, some evil, as he attempts to figure out his role in the real world.
Aaron Kwok and Chang Chen play two of the martial arts teachers he encounters, while Lin Chiling plays the cheating wife of his first benefactor.
While the underlying...
- 7/13/2015
- by lizshackleton@gmail.com (Liz Shackleton)
- ScreenDaily
Hong Kong-based Distribution Workshop is launching two titles directed by Derek Yee at the upcoming Cannes marche; 3D martial arts action title Sword Master and drama I Am Somebody.
Produced by Bona Film Group and Yee’s Film Unlimited, Sword Master teams Yee with another Hong Kong cinema giant, Tsui Hark, who is acting as producer.
Currently in production at Hengdian World Studios, the film is based on a wuxia novel written by Gu Long about an elite swordsman who is haunted by his skill and forced to fight a challenger who is determined to take his place at all costs.
Lin Gengxin (Young Detective Dee: Rise Of The Sea Dragon) heads the cast as the swordsman. Peter Ho, Jiang Yiyan and Jiang Mengjie also star.
I Am Somebody is a reality-based drama revolving around the small-time actors and extras who work at the Hengdian studios in China’s Zhejiang province. Yee has been...
Produced by Bona Film Group and Yee’s Film Unlimited, Sword Master teams Yee with another Hong Kong cinema giant, Tsui Hark, who is acting as producer.
Currently in production at Hengdian World Studios, the film is based on a wuxia novel written by Gu Long about an elite swordsman who is haunted by his skill and forced to fight a challenger who is determined to take his place at all costs.
Lin Gengxin (Young Detective Dee: Rise Of The Sea Dragon) heads the cast as the swordsman. Peter Ho, Jiang Yiyan and Jiang Mengjie also star.
I Am Somebody is a reality-based drama revolving around the small-time actors and extras who work at the Hengdian studios in China’s Zhejiang province. Yee has been...
- 5/5/2014
- by lizshackleton@gmail.com (Liz Shackleton)
- ScreenDaily
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